On this page, we’re taking a closer look at grooming double coated dogs. Here we cover topics like: bathing and drying, brushing, finishing,…and so on. But first, let’s get more familiar with these type of dogs.

What Is The Coat Like

• Depending on the breed, the coat is a combination of very short, short to moderate and moderate to long hair.
• The outer guard coat feels tough and harsh, while the profuse soft undercoat is thick. Dogs with this type of coat can tolerate severe weather conditions.
• Coat around face and on front of legs is short and tight.
• There is a noticeable seasonal shedding pattern. If not cleared, the loose, molted hair will tangle and mats and clumps will form.
• The coat naturally produces an oil, which may cause some dogs to become rather smelly.

Bathing And Drying

Frequency

• Bathe from once a week to every 12 weeks. Bathe more frequently when molting.

Pre-Bath

• Collect all items that you will need: cotton balls for blocking ears; shampoo and conditioner; jug for mixing shampoo; jug for rinsing the dog clean; towels.
• Put a cotton ball gently in each ear to prevent water from getting into the ear canal.
• Before you start bathing, brush over the entire body to remove any mats and tangles. Pay special attention to the areas around the ears, the backs of the legs, the tail, and the chest and stomach.

Bathing

• Thoroughly wet the dog all over except for the head.
• Use a quality, regular, all-purpose shampoo and massage the lather thoroughly into all parts of the body, especially dense areas of hair.
• Rinse thoroughly.
• Now wash the dog’s head with tear-free shampoo.
• Rinse whole dog thoroughly.
• Do not apply a conditioner to this type of coat.

Drying

• Towel dry vigorously, then use a hair dryer working in the direction of coat growth.
• Use a slicker brush to remove stubborn dead coat.
• When dry, groom through the coat with a comb.

Body Checks

1. Eyes: Check the eyes and clean out any sticky deposits.
2. Ears: Monitor ears for wax and dirt, and clean with a wipe.
3. Feet: Check the length of nails, condition of pads and clear any dirt from between the claws.
4. Teeth: Check teeth and gums.

Foot Trim

1. Brush up long hair between the toes and trim carefully.
2. The result is a much tidier and better-defined paw.
3. Any long hair growing on the hocks should also be trimmed.

Brushing Sequence

1. When dealing with this type of coat, you must be methodical and work in lines along the body. Initially you must part the hair with a comb or your hand to expose the undercoat.
2. You must try to brush right down to the roots of the hair. If you don’t raise the hair, you run the risk of the brush simply gliding through the top coat and not properly engaging with the undercoat, which is where tangles and loose hair are found. You should brush along the line and then move up the body and repeat.

Finishing

1. Work systematically around the head and neck.
2. Deal with the chest in a similar way.
3. Brush the sides of the tail and then lift it up so that you can tackle the underside.
4. The breeches often get tangled; lift the hair and brush it back down in an organized way, working up the legs.

Combing

1. Use a wide toothed comb to finish off and comb over the whole body. Comb the hair on the chest in both directions to ensure that all mats and tangles are eliminated.
2. Work along the lines of the body and pay attention to the friction points under the armpits and around the tail. Also check around the bottom for any soiling.
3. When finished, the dog should look tidy and alert – a tribute to your grooming skills.

Required Grooming Kit

• Slicker Brush: Use a firm slicker brush so that you can get right down to the roots of the hair.
• Double Ended Comb: For finishing off grooming the coat.
• Scissors: To trim excess hair.