Dog Grooming

Most people have a preference for a long- or a short-coated animal, and even sometimes for a particular color. Remember, however, that the long-coated animal is likely to need far more time spent on grooming than the short-coated one, and that the light-colored dog, for instance the Dalmatian, is going to shed hairs that will be apparent on the living-room carpet.

What are the requirements of each breed of dog? The majority of fanciers arc only expert in preparing their own chosen breed, and perhaps one or two others. Only professional dog groomers could, for example, advise on the bathing, trimming, scissoring, and grooming of all the breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club.

Special effects

While quite a number of breeds have to be hand-stripped, using fingers and/or a stripping knife, to give the coat the desired effect for the show ring, these same breeds arc often clipped instead when they arc kept solely as domestic pets.

Smooth-coated breeds such as the American Staffordshire Terrier, Boston Terrier, and French Bulldog need only be groomed every day or two using a short, pi Istle brush; the German Shepherd Dog, and many of the spaniels and retrievers, need daily grooming using a bristle brush and a comb; those breeds that need particular coat care and regular visits to the grooming parlor for clipping, stripping, and perhaps, scissoring, include the Airedale Terrier, the schnauzers, and the Poodles.

It must be emphasized, therefore, that, if time and expense arc a consideration, you would be well advised to think in terms of a smooth, short-coated breed.