Coat Care Guide

What's your Coat type?

In a world full of hounds, which coat type does your breed have and how should you help them look after it?

Well we’ve put together a coat care guide, which helps you figure out which type of coat your dog has and how best to maintain their hair to optimum health. Have a read through this guide, and use the infographics to find your dogs coat type. Once you've pinpointed the best fit category for your dogs hair, you can find all the useful tips and tricks suited to your dog by clicking on the category from the drop down menu below to your right.

There are so many coat types, just like us humans we're all made of our own fibre and create our own style and texture in the way we naturally grow and form. Here's why it's important to help your dog with their coat care routine...

Grooming regularly:

It’s important to help your dog look after themselves, as there is only so much they can do without thumbs. Whilst your dog will regularly clean themselves, sometimes they need that extra assistance to wipe off the fox poo, pull out that knot or get them trimmed down so they’re looking fresh, rather than disheveled.

More importantly, you will help your dog prevent skin irritation and health issues caused by build up of dirt or matting. The great thing about helping your dog out with grooming, is that you get the chance to really bond with them. It gives you both the opportunity to take time each day or a few times a week, depending on their coat type, to sit together and build a routine that connects you and shows them how much you care.

It takes time to build confidence and trust with your dog, especially when you introduce grooming tools and a lot of prodding and poking. So be patient with your dog and follow our brush out guide that gives you tips on building that routine, with step by step techniques.

FACT! A greasy coat encourages the growth of healthy bacteria and yeast in your dogs skin and coat.

Dog's naturally produce oil from their papilla pores all over their skin, which helps moisturise and nourish their coat. Regular grooming and brushing helps circulate these oils and creates better air flow around their skin.

NOTE! If your dog produces too much oil or not enough, then it's important to root out the cause and help control and reduce secondary infections with regular bathing, using the right shampoos and diet. Speak to your vet or local groomer, if you're unsure.

The minute you adopt your pup, you should begin the process of grooming at home with them, to help them get used to it. This also makes it easier when they have to visit the groomers, as they’ll be familiar with being handled, brushed and groomed.

Diet

What your dog eats, has a huge impact on their overall health and wellbeing. Same with humans, you are what you eat. From dullness in the coat, to dry and flaky skin - this can all be a cause from poor nutrition or perhaps allergies. So here is a list of nutritional goodness, vitamins, minerals and fatty acids that you should be including in your dogs diet to help them stay fit and healthy, and maintaining a luxurious shiny coat. Just remember when using human source food, whilst fruits and veg are great for your dog it should always be within proportion as too much can have adverse impacts.

Vitamin A - this helps the health strength of rapidly dividing skin cells and hair follicles

Biotin - this comes under the B vitamins which help aid healthy tissue growth; deficiency symptoms include brittle hair, crusting of the skin and hair colour changes

Copper - this helps hair colour to stay vibrant, and prevents hair loss; keeping the coat soft and shiny.

Omega 6 & 3 fatty acids - anything fishy is great for aiding elasticity in the skin, glossy looking coats and overall health and wellbeing. Omega 6 is rich in poultry fat and vegetable oils, whereas omega 3 is rich in fish, so crack open them sardines!

Vitamin E - this a natural antioxidant which helps guard skin cells against free radicals

Zinc - this is a great nutrient for preventing itchy and inflamed skin, as well as any bacterial or fungal skin infections which your dog could be prone to.

Remember to balance out your dogs diet, to ensure the right levels of each nutrient is digested for optimal health benefits.

Always remember - Humanity before vanity!

You should check your dog when assisting them with coat care for any abnormalities, its a great opportunity to keep in tune with your dogs health and wellbeing and spot anything that needs attention. If your dog has severe matting you should visit a professional groomer for removal and advice.

No matter how troublesome your furry friend can be during the brush out sessions of an evening on your living room floor, make sure to persist and persevere with building trust and a regular routine. It requires training like kids, they don't always like doing as they’re told even though its for their greater good!

Your dog will appreciate you helping them with their coat care. And you can both avoid the trauma that comes with severe coat neglect.

You MUST make sure you can get a comb through every inch of your dogs coat, right down to the skin to make sure its free of knots which would ultimately collect dirt and debris; that not only forms an even larger knot (now becoming a full on mat!) but traps dirt inside their coat that could lead to health implications. Check out the brush guide we’ve put together for techniques and tips.

BEWARE:

• Make sure to use dog friendly products at all times, as there are many synthetics and certain ingredients in human products which can cause irritation to your dog.
• Be sure to replace any products out of date so not to cause reaction with your dogs skin, also check your tools for any damaged or sharp edges which could harm your dog before use.
• Be careful of some tutorial videos online, which teach unsafe techniques like pointing the scissors toward a dogs eye if cutting around the brow!! Always consult a professional groomer.
• Be sure to target their friction areas during brushing including the ears, armpits and rear. These areas are prone to excessive hair build up and shedding, as well as a prime spot for matting.