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The Short Coat lays close to the skin, however, it does fluff when dried well. This coat is easy to maintain with some simple brushing, but it usually sheds a coarser hair that is harder to get out of fabrics. Short Coat breeds are less sensitive to exposure than their Smooth Coat friends, although bug spray, sunscreen, and jackets can be used to help protect these breeds during activities. Short Coat breeds include the following:
Sporting Group | Greater Swiss Mountain Dog |
Chesapeake Bay Retriever | Mastiff |
Curly-Coated Retriever | Rottweiler |
Labrador Retriever | Terrier Group |
Hound Group | Smooth Fox Terrier |
Basset Hound | Parson Russell |
Beagle | Toy Group |
Black and Tan Coonhound | Pug |
Bloodhound | Non-Sporting Group |
American Foxhound | Chinese Shar-Pei |
English Foxhound | Herding Group |
Harrier | Australian Cattle Dog |
Working Group | Belgian Malinois |
Bullmastiff | Canaan Dog |
Frequency
We recommend bathing once a week, or up to every 12 weeks. These coats can be sensitive to harsh products and tools, so be on the lookout for irritation. Of course, your dog's opinion on water and their recreational activities will help determine how often they need to be groomed.
Brushing
For dogs with Smooth Coat, we recommend using a rubber curry comb, like the Bodhi Dog Bath Brush. This style of brush should be used in circular motions, allowing the loose, dead coat to fall out when brushing from tail to head, and then smoothing the live, attached hairs down while brushing from head to tail. Wet or dry, this brush is the absolute best for Smooth Coat grooming.
When your dog is shedding a lot, we recommend the EquiGroomer Deshedding Brush. This uniquely designed brush has small teeth that grab dead, loose hairs instead of digging in and cutting healthy, live hair. If you have used the Furminator in the past, read our blog Why I’ll Never Use A Furminator.
Bathing
Use a regular shampoo, followed by a skin conditioner, unless your dog has allergies or requires a hypo-allergenic shampoo. Our recommendations for gentle shampoos and conditioners are:
Burt’s Bees Oatmeal Shampoo and Burt’s Bees Oatmeal Conditioner, which both have colloidal oat flour and honey.
Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Shampoo and Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Conditioner, which both have colloidal oatmeal and aloe vera.
If your dog has sensitive skin, allergies or other skin issues, we recommend:
Duoxo Calm Shampoo for Dogs, a great option for allergies or extremely sensitive skin.
Skouts Honour Probiotic Shampoo, a PH-balanced shampoo.
Check out Why 2-in-1 is ½ As Good for details about why two separate products are better.
Drying
Drying the coat can be done a number of ways, starting with towel drying. Squeegee off as much water with your hands before using a thick towel to gently, but firmly pat your dog’s coat. Repeat until there is very little moisture left in the coat. We recommend keeping a dedicated towel for your dog, but whether you use microfibre or terry towel is truly up to you. Either one works well for Short Coat dogs, so pick what you prefer.
After the towel drying, you can use a hairdryer to blow out the loose coat on a light heat setting, never hot. Always keep one hand on your dog when drying, to help stabilize and calm your pet.
Regardless of the method you use, drying is not complete until the coat is completely cool and dry to the touch. If your dog requires a bath in cold weather, you can use fleece pajamas to keep them warm after drying.
Need to get your dog groomed? contact us at (403) 304-7296.
Questions or comments about this blog post? email us at info@pawsclawswings.com
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