What equipment do I need to groom my dog?

There can be many things to keep track of when it comes to dog fur and fur care. That's why we've created an article that sheds light on what you need to be able to groom your dog yourself - you can also talk to the dog salon when they use smart "grooming lingo". First of all, you should know that the term "grooming" means that you trim or cut your dog's fur and care for it. Not all dog breeds need to be groomed, which you will also learn about at the end of this post.

There is a difference between dog trimming and dog cutting

When a dog's fur needs to be groomed, it is first and foremost important that the fur is "trimmed". This means that you check whether the dog's fur is "loose" and thus ready to be cut off with a clipper. It is important to wait until the coat is the right length, otherwise it will hurt your dog. If you trim your dog's fur, you must stretch the skin and pull/break the fur off the skin. If you are in doubt about how to perform this method, you can seek guidance from a dog salon or friends with dogs that have the same kind of fur.

In principle, all dog breeds can get dog haircuts. Even rough-haired dog breeds can be clipped, after which their coat will be soft. You can go for different cut styles such as "teddy bear cut", "close cut", "puppy cut" or "show dog". When cutting a teddy bear, the fur on the body is cut short, and the fur on the legs is cut thick as on a teddy bear. Exhibition clipping involves clipping a little of the fur on the body and paws, so that the expression in the fur looks trimmed and elegant. If you have a poodle, there are all kinds of ways to cut the dog's fur to create a shape.

Dog trimmer - quick guide on how to groom your dog

When choosing a dog trimmer, there are many different types to choose from. Brands such as Oster and Moser produce high-quality trimmers. As with human trimmers, you can get spacer combs. You can use these for when you set out on your "cut the dog with a trimmer" adventure. It is a good idea to possibly take your dog to a professional dog groomer the first time, where you can learn techniques and approaches to trimming, as well as what lengths the distance combs are and which different places on the dog's body they are used.

If your dog is particularly sensitive to sounds, it is a good idea to choose a trimmer that is quiet so that it does not bother your dog more than necessary. In addition, you should choose a trimmer that is easy to clean and maintain, since you will need to use it regularly. When you start grooming your dog, you must remember to cut the fur in the same direction as the dog's fur grows, and start by bathing the dog, as the fur can be dirty and pebbles and other impurities can damage the shine. The fur must always be completely dry before trimming. Dog breeds that are suitable for trimming include Dachshunds, Border Terrier, Fox terriers, Petit Basset and others.

Tools for grooming your dog

Of course, not all places on the dog's body are suitable for cutting with a trimmer. The fur around and on paws, genitals and other sensitive areas are better groomed with fur scissors. In addition, this also applies to the fur around the dog's eyes and ears. At PetLux you will find a good selection of scissors for dog cutting and dog fur care products. Dog breeds with longer fur, which must be cut with fur shears, are, among the Bichon Havanais, Coton de Tulear, golden retriever, poodle, Shih Tzu and others.

When you have to take care of your dog's fur, it involves a lot of care for the fur. This includes both shampoo, conditioner and a brush for fur care. Brushes and detanglers for dog fur are essential when you have a dog with longer fur, where wool tufts and tangles can often occur. In addition, with shorter dogs with long fur, leaves, dirt and other things can get stuck in the fur after a good walk. Care for your dog's coat by brushing it through daily or regularly, depending on how long the coat is.

Dog breeds that do not require clipping or trimming

There are also long-haired dog breeds that do not require grooming in the form of trimming or cutting, such as the collie, Newfoundland and chow chow. These types of dogs have undercoats and longer topcoats. The dogs shed twice a year, and the wool can be removed by hand. These dogs still need to be brushed once or twice a week. An important rule is that you must never cut or trim these types of dogs, as their fur only needs to be straightened if necessary.

When should a puppy be groomed?

Puppies that are under four months old do not need to be clipped regularly, but rather when you judge that there is a need. Most often, a visit to a dog salon or grooming at home will be appropriate approximately every eight weeks, from when the puppy is four months old. This is because it is here that the puppy's fur has started to grow as much as an adult dog's fur. Make it a positive experience or a fun time at home when your puppy needs to be trained - then the probability that it will want to go again is greater.