Brushing Guide
Consistent and proper brushing is necessary to maintain your companion’s coat, no matter the length. Depending on the coat type, brushing serves the purposes of de-shedding and removing undercoat, as well as preventing tangles that can form into mats. Coat types can generally be categorized as long, medium, and short. These names do not necessarily refer to the current length of the coat at any given time, but rather to its growth and purpose, which dictate the care required. Brushing should always be done in the direction of the natural hair growth, never against it. It is best, for the longevity and ease of your tool, to brush when your pup is clean and dry. Brushing between baths, however, should be a standard part of your maintenance routine. A brushing spray can be used to add moisture back to the coat, prevent static, and allow light tangles to release more easily.
Coat Types
Long-coated Dogs
Long-haired dogs share the trait of perpetual hair growth, meaning that if not trimmed, their hair will continue to grow without limit. Due to this, they are typically higher maintenance and require consistent haircutting services. These coats do not shed.
Common Breeds
Poodles
Poodle mixes (most)
Maltese
Shih Tzu
Recommended Tools
Slicker Brush
Metal Comb (Coarser for thick coats, finer for thinner coats
Medium-coated Dogs
Medium-coated is a broad umbrella term for several different coat types, encompassing various breed classifications, including Terriers, Spaniels, most Sporting dogs, and double-coated dogs. Double-coated dogs have a soft, insulating undercoat that helps regulate their body temperature. Their coats should never be shaved, due to the growth cycles and the risk of permanent damage to their skin and coat, which can result in skin issues, alopecia, and loss of external protection. Wire-coated breeds should be groomed by hand stripping, a specialized hair removal technique, instead of traditional clipper work
Common Breeds
Terriers
Spaniels
Setters
Some Hounds
Huskies
Samoyeds
Golden Retrievers
Border Collies
Australian Shepherds
Pomeranians
Corgis
Malamutes
Exceptions
Yorkshire Terriers
Bedlington Terriers
Recommended Tools
Slicker Brush
Metal Comb (Coarser for thick coats, finer for thin coats)
Undercoat Rake (Coarser for thick coats, finer for thin coats)
Short-coated Dogs
Short-coated dogs are easiest to spot as their hair is close to the body, typically with a sheen appearance. Dogs with this coat shed, and, like medium-coated dogs, should never be shaved, as this can lead to health issues. Their coats act as a barrier protector and natural water repellent, working in conjunction with their skin.
Common Breeds
Labradors
Malinois
Chihuahuas
Great Danes
Beagles
Bulldogs
Recommended Tools
Kong Zoom Groom rubber brush
Fine Tooth Undercoat Rake (For thicker coats)
Cats
While we love our feline friends, we do not provide services for them at Le Pawsh. Regardless, some of our team are experienced in cat grooming.
Recommended Tools
Long Hair:
Slicker Brush
Metal Comb
Short Hair:
Rubber Zoom Brush
Metal Comb
Recommended Tools
Slicker Brush
Slicker brushes, available in various types and sizes, should have long bristles for dogs with longer hair and short bristles for dogs with shorter hair. It’s essential that the bristles are soft and flexible, allowing for light give and rebound.
For Long-coated dogs, Medium-coated dogs, and long-haired cats.
Metal Comb
Metal combs are available in two types: coarse (with fewer teeth, suitable for thicker coats) and fine (with more teeth, ideal for thinner coats). The proper tooth size and spacing are relative to the density and length of your dog’s coat. It’s essential that the teeth get down beneath the undercoat to pull out any shedding hair or release any tangles.
For Long-coated dogs, Medium-coated dogs, and cats.
Undercoat rake
This brush-like tool pulls out the undercoat (secondary hair) that is ready to be released while protecting the primary hair. For dogs with thicker and longer coats, use a rake that is coarser (fewer teeth). For dogs with thinner coats, use a rake that is finer (more teeth),
For Medium-coated and Short-coated dogs.
Rubber brush
Effective rubber brushes have long, triangular bristles, designed to pull out the shedding coat. As with any tool, it is possible to overuse this brush.
For short-coated dogs and short-haired cats.
Non-recommended Tools
Furminator
The Furminator is one of the more popular tools, sold by major pet stores. Bladed brushes are marketed as the tool to combat the shedding of short-coated and medium-coated dogs, which is the release of the undercoat. Instead of removing the shedding hair, these tools cut the hair of both the secondary coat, also known as the undercoat, and the primary outer coat layer, which can easily result in abrasions. By cutting this hair, the coat is stripped of its essential functions, exposing the dog to skin and coat issues, temperature regulation problems, and external elements. This damage is typically permanent.
Ball-tipped Bristle Brushes
Slicker brushes are designed to reach through the layers of different coats, all the way down to the skin. This serves the purpose of pulling out the undercoat and lifting tangles. Ball-tipped bristles prevent the brush from reaching down to the skin, resulting in an incomplete brush out, where the upper layers are brushed yet the rest is not.
Line Brushing
Many people make the mistake of only brushing the topmost layer of hair instead of entirely down to the skin. This leads to a coat fairly fluffed at the top but tangled towards the roots. The simplest solution to this problem is ‘line brushing.’ This technique involves separating the coat and brushing in separate sections, revealing a line of skin as you go. This ensures that you are brushing down to the root across all areas.
Line brushing, a technique used by Le Pawsh stylists on long-coated and medium-coated dogs, is a skill that requires practice and time to perfect. Begin with a spritz of brushing spray to help release any tangles. The coat should be lightly sprinkled and not wet. Be careful not to over-brush areas, as this can lead to irritation known as brush burn, which is caused by the bristles of the brush. Pay special attention to friction areas such as armpits, under the collar, legs, and ears. Formed mats may have to be removed with a de-matting tool, cut out, or shaved, depending on the severity
To line brush, choose an area of the coat, hold back the hair with your non-dominant hand to reveal the skin underneath, and brush with your dominant hand.
As you brush the small, manageable section, slowly move your non-dominant hand up, releasing more hair into your brushing path. Gradually work your way up the coat, brushing while moving upward.
Once completed, use your comb to ensure the coat is tangle-free.
The frequency of your brushing depends on your dog’s breed, coat type, coat length, and lifestyle. The more time you devote to brushing, based on these factors, the better. The important thing to remember is to remain proactive about brushing and not allow mats to form in the first place. The more the coat is allowed to tangle, the more time-consuming and potentially harmful it becomes to brush it out. Creating a habit of only brushing when tangles and mats form can lead your dog to associate brushing with discomfort.
If you have any questions, your friends at Le Pawsh are here to help!