How to Properly Brush a Dog

Let’s talk fur, people. I, THE Original Hipster Hound, Rex, know that humans have hair, but us dogs, we’ve got fur and LOTS of it! The only problem is, most humans don’t know the proper way to brush all the different types of fur there are. Most dogs enjoy being gently brushed, and regularly brushing your dog will strengthen your bond with him or her while helping to maintain a healthy and clean coat. So let’s review all the fur types and the best way to brush and care for them:

Smooth Coat
Smooth coats (like mine!) require the least amount of grooming, but that doesn’t mean this type of fur can be neglected. The hair lies close to the body, and needs to be brushed regularly, though not as much as some other types of fur.

When you brush your pup, use a bristle brush first against the lay of the hair, and then repeat it going with the lay of the hair. A pin brush, like JW Grip Soft Brush Pin, can help remove the dander from the dog's skin and keep the fur shiny.

Double Coat
Dogs with a double coat have a soft undercoat that provides insulation and a tougher top coat that repels water and shields from dirt. Because of this double-coat, they need a little bit more grooming than dogs with other types of fur.

First, use a slicker, like Magic Coat Slicker Brush, when starting with the undercoat on short-haired double-coated dogs. Brush outward from the skin, and then brush with the lay of the fur on the top coat. With long-haired dogs, take your time brushing out sections of the dog's coat. You might consider using an undercoat rake, like Furminator Undercoat Deshedding Tool, to really get those tangles undone.

Long Coat
Longer fur on dogs demands combing or brushing on nearly a daily basis, especially during shedding season. Long coats can be coarse or silky, but for either one, you’ll want to be careful on knots to not cause your furry friend any pain.

Long, coarse coats have a soft undercoat that needs to be brushed with a pin brush, like JW Grip Soft Brush Pin. While silky haired dogs don't have undercoats, there's still a risk of tangling the fine hair.

Wire Coat
A number of terriers have wiry coats that are susceptible to tangles. Wire coats, also known as broken coats, need both a stripping comb and a slicker brush, like Magic Coat Slicker Brush,  when grooming.

Use the stripping comb to thin the fur by running it lightly along the dog's back. Follow up the thinning by brushing the fur out from the skin with the slicker brush. You should consider bringing a wiry-coat dog in for professional grooming, as it's not an easy task to master.

Curly Coat
Curly-coated dogs have thick, soft curls that rest close to the body. These curls are best when kept short, as they grow fast and can become tangled. When brushing, use a soft, curved slicker brush, like Magic Coat Slicker Brush, against the lay of the fur in order to make the coat fluffy.

Still Unsure about Brushing?
If you need help choosing the best brushes and combs, stop by either of our locations on Echols Avenue or Diamond Causeway. Our expert groomers and staff will be happy to assist you in finding the perfect tools to keep a clean and healthy coat.

At The Hipster Hound, we understand that properly brushing and maintaining your dog’s fur can be an intimidating or daunting task. So we also offer grooming appointments at both locations. Whether your dog needs a brush-out or a full groom, make your appointment with us today!

Woof,

Rex, The Original Hipster Hound

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