Afghan Hound
A wonderful dog with a very luxuriant coat which needs regular brushing and regular washing some say weekly but we would recommend fortnightly. They are a high maintenance dog requiring daily brushing where you can remove burrs etc from the coat and also detangle any knots which have developed. If maintained regularly you will be rewarded as your dog will look fantastic and also feel great.
As their coats are long keeping your Afghan Hound well groomed may appear challenging, but a daily brush and washing out mud (not brushing as this can damage the coat) as required will keep their coat in great condition. They will require a full shampoo and wash, and as advised we would recommend fortnightly, and always use a good quality conditioner or conditioning shampoo but please be sparing with these as too frequent washing can result in loss of oils in the coat making it appear dull.
A key word when grooming Afghan Hound’s is Gentle, always use brushes gently, as vigorous brushing can damage the fur and the skin
We would also recommend a visit to your local Grooming Parlour for trimming of fur around paws and clipping of nails when required
So, to maintain your Afghan Hound in Tip Top condition we recommend the following.
Before you start your shower and grooming sessions make sure you have all tools and materials required: –
Shampoo ensure you use a specific Dog Shampoo this will ensure that the Fur is maintained in great condition, Human Shampoo’s have different formulas not always compatible with your dog. Also a conditioner can help you maintain a lustrous and healthy looking coat
What you will require
Dogs Towels 1 x Roses PVA Mega Absorbent Towel, and I x Roses Large Microfibre Towel
1 x Roses Grooming and Drying Brush
1 X Good Quality Gentle Pin Head Dog Brush
Gentle Slicker Brush
Good quality Comb
A good supply of treats
Washing your Afghan Hound
Unusually do not brush your Afghan Hound before washing.
To wash your Afghan Hound, use the shower, (do not forget to use non-slip shower mat) or in warmer months they can be washed outside but do ensure the temperature of the water is comfortable for your dog. When washing indoors please ensure the water is a comfortable temperature not too hot or too cold and where possible use a shower attachment if no shower head gently pour warm water over your Afghan Hound to thoroughly wet its coat and then apply the shampoo and knead it thoroughly into the coat, making sure you work the shampoo down to the skin. Important note please ensure you thoroughly rinse the shampoo out you must ensure that all shampoo is rinsed away as any residue can cause itchiness. Another key point we would make is to avoid getting shampoo into the eyes and keep the inside of ears away from shampoo and water.
If using a conditioner, and with Afghan Hound’s a conditioner will give you excellent results with a wonderful lustrous coat, repeat rinsing process and again make sure the conditioner is thoroughly rinsed out of the coat.
When coat is thoroughly rinsed it is time to dry, firstly remove most of the excess water by dabbng with the Mega Absorbent PVA Towel, squeezing out the towel regularly to ensure the maximum absorbency of the towel. Once all surplus water is removed then wrap your Afghan Hound in a Roses Large Microfibre Towel gently dabbing the dog all over until the coat is as dry as possible. Do not rigorously towel dry as this can damage coat and cause tangling and knot simple dab your dog all over.
You are now ready to dry your Afghan Hound , connect your Roses Grooming and Drying Brush set on medium heat and low speed and start brushing and Drying of the coat, always brushing with the fur not against it, there is no correct place to start but the key advice we would give here is to ensure the whole coat is dry particularly around the base of the tail, ears and legs. Also when drying legs and stomach areas please be gentle as these can be sensitive. Ensure all the coat is brushed through and dry and if your dogs is a little anxious at first encourage with treats and words of encouragement. Once your dog is familiarised and comfortable with your Roses Grooming and Drying Brush you can increase the heat setting to full and increase the speed to high, but note when drying around the eyes and ears only use medium heat and low power. The permanent IONIC feature will ensure great condition to your dog’s coat and always give you great results when using a conditioner.
The choice of Brush head to use varies from Dog to Dog but generally we recommend that you use the Oval Pin Brush Head this our customers advise give’s the best results, and suits the Afghan Hound best. However after using the tool you will develop your own technique and use brush heads which feel give you the best results.
We know that following these simple instructions you will soon be getting great results and you and your Afghan Hound will enjoy these sessions which can help create an excellent bond between you and your dog and of course keep them looking great and smelling good most of the time.
Following a wet walk, you can also follow these guidelines if not dirty no need to shampoo, simply towel dry (remember to dab not rub) as outlined here and dry off with the Roses Grooming and Drying Brush, and after cold winter walks your Afghan Hound will welcome being dry and warm.
We look forward to hearing your experiences and of course receiving pictures of your Afghan Hound’s after your Grooming and Pampering Sessions
THE ROSES TEAM
We have some great offers available on our Grooming Bundles to suit all dogs and sizes, don’t forget to check these out on our website.
