Essential (36 breed) guide to DIY dog grooming

Welcome to Roses guide to DIY Dog Grooming*!

*Please note, this is not a guide to professional grooming. If you wish to seek advice regarding cutting and clipping your breed, please consult with a professional groomer.

Dogs, like people, come in a huge variety of shapes and sizes. Some require daily grooming with extravagant dog brushes whereas some require simply a wipe down with a towel.

So, we thought we’d do you a favour and do a roundup of some of our favourite breeds that vary from the perfumed and pampered to the puddle loving pups, to give you an idea of how to care for your little bundles coat with some Top Dog Grooming tips.

Some may surprise you…

DIY Dog grooming for Afghan Hounds

Originating from Afghanistan, the Afghan Hound has a mass of glossy coat, thought to be so due to the cold environment of the mountainous regions of Afghanistan.

This sighthound has gloriously long limbs and excessive speed, which back in the day would have enabled it to hunt large animals, such as gazelles or deer, or smaller game such as foxes or hares.

The Afghan has a gloriously long coat which means they must be brushed thoroughly every day to stop their coats from matting or tangling.

We’d recommend using an air-filled pin brush and a slicker brush to keep their locks silky smooth.

To keep the Afghan’s coat looking paw-fect in-between grooms why not use our Dog Grooming Dryer Brush for the ultimate finish?

 

Basset Hound

The Basset Hound is arguably the most popular of the Hound family.

Famed for their long floppy ears and low to the ground frame, the Basset Hound has even made an appearance in Disney films, such as The Aristocats.

The history of the Basset Hound isn’t the clearest, however, it is believed that they were originally bred for hunting by French Monks in the Middle Ages and have even been mentioned in Shakespeare’s works.

The breed has short, smooth hair and don’t require trimming. However, they do tend to shed so please brush your pup with a slicker brush or a shedding rake – gentle though as they don’t appreciate a heavy hand!

Beagle

A staple British breed, the Beagle were originally bred to hunt hare.

It is well known that Queen Elizabeth kept a pack of miniature beagles which she carried round in her saddle pannier.

Sadly, the Miniature Beagles are no longer as popular in the UK but have remained steadfast in the USA known now as the ‘Pocket Beagle’

Beagles have a short double coat of a hard outer coat and a softer insulating undercoat.

They only require grooming upwards of once a week with either a quality bristle brush, a grooming mitt or a de-shedding tool to remove all the dead hairs from the coat.

Beagles should not be bathed regularly as frequent baths can dry out the dog’s skin and coat, so it is recommended to bathe them every two to six months.

DIY Dog Grooming for Bichon Frise

Although developed in France, it is believed that the Bichon Frise is traced back to sunny Tenerife as far back as the 14^th Century.

They were then taken back to England and became widely popular in the Royal Courts and homes of nobility, where they were often carried round in fancy ornamental baskets (ooh la la!)

The Bichon Frise is well known for its soft white corkscrew curls which require extensive grooming to prevent tangles in the fur.

We’d recommend using a slicker brush for the body on the bichon coat, as they don’t naturally shed so daily up-keep is vital.

We’d also recommend using a fine-tooth comb around the muzzle and the ears as these areas are prone to knots.

Our Dog Grooming Dryer Brush with the Metal Pin Brush Head is the perfect solution for in-between grooms to keep your pups coat looking and feeling great.

 

Border Collie

One of the more intelligent breeds, Border Collies are named so due to the breed working extensively across the borders of England, Scotland and Wales working livestock across the hills and mountains.

The Border Collie is very much a working dog and is known for its tremendous feats in the farming industry where it uses all its key talents; obedience, agility and speed.

Even though Borders are considered to be working dogs, they still require grooming up to three times a week to keep their coat in good condition.

Borders have a medium length double coat – a longer top coat over a softer dense undercoat.

We’d recommend a mixture of methods, using a brush, a comb and a stripper – to be used particularly during the warmer months. By stripping the undercoat you’re helping the new coat to grow faster.

We’d recommend brushing your pup with a pin brush and then begin to use a wide toothed steel comb once the initial brush is done to rid the fur of any dead hair or debris you may have missed.

Around the head, neck and ears we’d recommend using a fine-toothed steel comb, but be gentle now, any little tangles caught in the comb may hurt your pup.

Border Terrier

Arguably a favourite breed amongst families, the Border Terrier is the perfect dog to adapt to city living or life out in the country.

The Border Terrier was originally developed in the border of Northumberland and Scotland in around 1880 to assist in hunting foxes by driving the animals out of their hiding places.

These days, Terriers are more likely to be digging up a storm in your back garden.

Border Terriers coats should feel hard and wiry to the touch with a close undercoat. This double insulation ensures that the Terrier’s skin will keep it protected in harsher weather conditions when used as a working dog.

Due to their double coat, Border Terriers require their coat stripping a couple of times a year to remove any dead or loose hair contained in the coat.

Regular brushing is encouraged rather than bathing, as bathing your Border Terrier can remove the coat’s natural oils and affect the coat’s texture and waterproof qualities.

Boxer

A descendant of the Bullenbisser, a German breed used to hunt bear, boar and deer in the 19^th Century.

It’s believed that the Boxer was originally developed as a guard dog by crossing the Bullenbisser with an English Bulldog.

A highly intelligent dog, the Boxer is the perfect family companion due to their fun-loving character and abject loyalty.

They’re sometimes referred to as the “Peter Pan” of the dog world as they don’t fully mature until they’re three years old, one of the longest puppyhoods of the dog world.

Due to their short flat coats, they don’t require a lot of grooming, however they do shed all year round so will require brushing at least once a week to remove any dead hair in the coat

Bulldog

With an origin dating back to the 16^th Century, the Bulldog is symbolic of the stoic British spirit of ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’.

The Bulldog was originally developed to assist in bull baiting – a sport that became illegal in 1835.

Despite the need for the Bulldog now eradicated, there was still a call for them to be used as poochie companions and later on, as show dogs.

They have a smooth short fine coat which is required to be brushed up to four times a week to keep it in peak condition.

We’d recommend using a slicker brush, a grooming glove or a tight rubber pronged brush to groom your pup, always brushing with the natural lay of the hair.

DIY Dog Grooming for Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Another breed that can be traced back to as early as the 16^th Century, the Cavalier King Charles received its elaborate name from Charles I and Charles II.

It was known that the loyal dogs never left the side of their masters, even when Charles I unfortunately lost his head.

It was rumoured that he enjoyed a last walk around his local park with his Cavalier before heading for the chop.

These beautiful dogs require daily brushing of their medium length wavy coat to keep the fur soft and silky.

Without daily upkeep the fur will unfortunately become tangled and due to the feathering on their coats can pick up unwanted debris, such as leaves etc. from the ground.

We’d recommend brushing with a medium bristle brush to help distribute the natural oils found in the skin and then suing a slicker brush to help remove any unwanted knots.

Don’t forget though, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do have a double coat so make sure you lift the outer coat when brushing to get down to the undercoat.

Why not keep your Cavalier’s coat looking beautiful in-between grooms with one of our Dog Grooming Dryer Brushes?

We’d recommend using our oval brush head to achieve the perfect finish on your pup.

Chihuahua

The smallest breed in the world and hailing from the hot provinces of Mexico, the Chihuahua has been a favourite amongst A-listers since the late 19^th Century.

There are two varieties of Chihuahua, the short haired and the long haired however, both contain bags of personality and make fabulous family pets.

The short haired Chihuahua needs very little grooming, possibly only once or twice a month.

Whereas the long-haired Chihuahua should be brushed weekly to maintain their fluffy tendrils.

Unlike most long-haired dogs, the long-haired Chihuahua doesn’t require trimming as their hair only grows to a certain length before it stops.

It can take up to 14-24 months for a long-haired Chihuahua to grow its full coat.

Dachshund

Affectionately known as ‘sausage dogs’, the Dachshund come in six varieties:

• Long haired
• Miniature long haired
• Miniature smooth haired
• Miniature wire haired
• Smooth haired
• Wire haired

All six share the same breed standard and were developed in Germany where they’re known as the ‘Teckel’ or ‘badger dog’.

They were originally developed to track wounded game for hunters and for burrowing underground to retrieve animals such as rabbits or badgers.

In Germany, Dachshund can be found in three sizes: Standard, Miniature and Kaninchen which can be told apart by the circumference of their chests.

For the longer haired Dachshunds (i.e Long haired, Miniature long haired, Miniature wire haired, wire haired) you should use a wire brush to groom your dog.

Daxies also have very fast-growing fur on their feet which needs daily attention, if knots develop in-between the pads of the paw they may have trouble walking.

Also, as Daxies have a habit of rolling over onto their back, they can develop knots around their ears, please use a fine-tooth metal comb and a gentle touch to remove these.

We’d recommend brushing these areas daily.

For the longer haired Daxies we’d also suggest using our Dog Grooming Dryer brush for in-between grooms. This will give your pup a lovely soft-to-touch finish.

For the shorter haired Dachshunds, we’d recommend using a bristle brush to gently comb the head and ears.

When moving onto the body area switch to a rubber brush and gently work your way down his back, neck and thighs.

Dalmatian

Made famous by Disney’s 101 Dalmatians, the breed has been around since the late 18^th Century and were originally used as working dogs.

The Dalmatian became a status symbol in the Late Modern Period as you weren’t seen to be anyone of any importance without a Dalmatian trotting alongside your horse-drawn carriage.

In particular, the more decorative your Dalmatians spotting the more highly acclaimed he became.

Despite their short coats, Dalmatians do require frequent grooming due to the amount of fur they shed.

Routine brushing will keep the hair clean and tangle-free and help to distribute those lovely natural oils that keep the coat shiny and healthy.

We’d recommend brushing once or twice weekly with a bristle brush, then given a once over with a rubber brush to help remove those pesky missed loose hairs.

 

French Bulldog

Don’t let the name fool you, French Bulldogs actually originated… well, right here in Britain!

Way back in the 1850’s, a dwarf Bulldog breed known as the Toy Bulldog was popular in some parts of the UK, however when the Industrial Revolution began to decline many lace makers emigrated to France, taking with them their beloved Bulldogs.

Three decades later, and many crosses with short-faced breeds across localised areas in France later, we developed what we today know as French Bulldogs.

French Bulldogs can be distinguished from other Bulldogs by their bat like ears which sit largely upright on their head.

They became known as the ‘it’ breed across France and were even featured in portraits by the artist Toulouse Lautrec in portraits of typical Parisian life.

Due to the Frenchie’s short flat coats they don’t require a lot of grooming. Particular care should be shown to the nails and the folds of skin around the facial area.

DIY Dog grooming for your German Shepherd

One of the most fiercely intelligent breeds on the planet; the German Shepherd originates from just that, to aid with shepherds herding the fields.

During the late part of the 19^th Century, German Shepherds were developed by Max Von Stephanitz and have been a huge part of the working dog society ever since.

Known most often for their role as Police dogs, German Sheps have also been known to offer their services as guide dogs, tracking dogs and even aided in the First World War.

German Shepherds have a soft double coat that requires daily brushing to keep it in a beautiful condition and to remove any dead hair

You should really only bathe your German Shep once every four to five months to help maintain the natural oils found in the dog’s coat.

Any more than this can cause your dog’s skin to dry out and cause irritation.

We’d recommend using a de-shedding tool to help keep your dog’s hair loss at a manageable rate, this will also help the dog come the warmer months.

Similar to an Australian Shepherd, German Shepherds will go through a ‘blow season’ where they heavily shed their coats twice a year – in the Autumn and during the Spring changes.

During this period is when you’ll have to be on top of the brushing and bathing.

For keeping your pups coat soft and looking great in-between grooms why not try our Dog Grooming dryer brush?

Greyhound

The most popular pooch at the track, the Greyhound is most notably known for their racing prowess.

Depicted as the strong, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it speed racers, Greyhounds were actually only introduced to the race track in 1926 despite seemingly being made for it.

Seen on popular shows, such as The Simpsons ‘Santas little helper’, Greyhounds have always been a popular family pet, and can be dated back to as far as the Ancient Egyptian times.

With a very close-cropped coat, Greyhounds don’t generally require much grooming. However, we’d recommend brushing your pup with a rubber grooming glove to keep your dogs coat shiny.

Old English Sheepdog

Without a doubt the fluffiest of the dog breeds mentioned, the Old English Sheepdog has a long and complicated breeding history which in layman’s terms means… no one is quite certain of where they came from.

As depicted on the Disney film The Little Mermaid with the loveable Max, Old English Sheepdogs are well known for their sweet, agreeable nature and make fantastic companions.

They do have a very long coat and can vary from dog to dog, for instance, some coats are quite light in texture and will be easier to groom than those with denser coats.

We’d recommend using a de-matting comb, which is quite sharp so please be careful, which loosens up the undercoats and pulls out any niggling mats.

Next, use a slicker brush to remove any broken-up matted knots in the fur.

We’d also recommend using a rake that will catch the knots that the de-mat tool may have missed. Finally, finish with a comb for all those delicate hard to reach areas.

DIY Dog Grooming for Pomeranian

First seen in the UK in 1870 and a great favourite of Queen Victoria, the Pomeranian have been seen on the arms of the rich and famous for many years.

Bred down from the German Spitz, Pomeranians first started making their socialite debut in the latter half of the 19^th Century and even participated in dog shows in the capital where they grew in popularity.

Pomeranians, like their German counterparts, have a thick double coat to help protect them from harsh weather. An adult Pom has a short undercoat of dense hair and a long top coat of guard hairs.

These layers blend smartly into one.

To keep your Poms coat in that sought after ‘pom-pom’ style we’d recommend a highly intensive grooming routine.

This means you’ll have to brush your Poms fur daily, but not without first lightly misting the fur with a light leave-in spray so as not to make the fur brittle and consequently snap off.

We’d recommend brushing with a fine-tooth steel comb to help rid of any pesky tangles.

Looking for something to help keep your Poms coat looking and feeling great in-between grooms? Try our Grooming Dryer Brush.

The perfect solution for a keeping your dog’s coat gleaming in the interim.

DIY Dog Grooming for Poodle

Always depicted as the height of sophistication (if Georgette from ‘Oliver and Company‘ will have you believe), Poodles actually originated in Germany as water retrievers for duck hunters.

Poodles come in three types:

• Standard
• Miniature
• Toy

The standard Poodles are the largest, then the Miniature and finally the Toy Poodles coming in as the smallest variation of the breed.

For all Poodles the period of puppy to adult means the coat will change from their wavy soft hair to the thick and curly cut we know today.

During this period you must be wary of any severe matting in the fur as avoiding regular brushing can cause serious damage to your Poodles coat.

You must brush your poodle with a pin brush daily to keep any nasty tangles out of the gloriously curly coat.

We’d also recommend using our Dog Grooming Dryer Brush in-between grooms to help maintain the beautiful bouffant Poodle coat.

DIY Dog Grooming for Retriever

There are six registered breeds of retriever:

• Golden
• Chesapeake Bay
• Curly coated
• Flat coated
• Labrador
• Nova scotia duck tolling

Golden

Arguably, the most well-known of the retrievers is the Golden Retriever, believed to have been bred by crossing a black Wavy Coated Retriever with the Tweed Water Spaniel by Lord Tweedmouth.

Goldens have a double undercoat which grows longer during winter and then sheds in the warmer months.

We’d recommend using a quality bristle brush up to three times a week and an undercoat rake to help reduce shedding.

Chesapeake Bay

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever was developed by breeding Newfoundlands and Retrievers to create dogs with excellent water abilities and retrieving skills (particularly those of ducks!).

They have a thick undercoat and a harsh oily top coat, perfect for working in the icy Atlantic waters of their namesake.

Due to their medium-long length coat, Chessies must have their coats brushed around one or two times a week to get rid of any pesky dead or loose hairs that need to be removed.

 

Curly Coated

The oldest and tallest of the Retrievers is the Curly Coated Retriever, known so because of its coat of small tight curls.

It was originally bred to retrieve ducks and was developed by breeding the now extinct English Water Spaniel, a Labrador and a Poodle to give the tightness of the curl, giving it a much-needed waterproof quality.

Surprisingly, a Curly Coated Retriever doesn’t require hours of grooming like you’d believe.

Over brushing the coat can lead to the curls losing their dexterity, and you can’t have an un-Curly Coated Retriever now, can you?

To keep the curls in perfect form, brush your dog every other week with a comb and a small slicker brush.

Follow this with a bath to keep the curls intact.

 

Flat Coated

Once known as the Wavy Coated Retriever, and almost always black, the Flat Coated Retriever was a popular breed to own in the late 19^th Century on large shooting estates.

Your Flattie was designed to get dirty so in turn is relatively easy to clean.

We’d recommend using a slicker brush, a bristle brush and a metal comb to keep your Flattie’s coat in peak condition.

Firstly, use the slicker brush, then use the bristle brush to help distribute essential oils and finally, work your way through the comb for the feathering parts of your dog’s coat.

Be careful when applying pressure when brushing, your dog may feel the harsh bristle a little too closely!

 

Labrador

As seen on our blog, the Labrador has held the no. 1 spot at the top of the popularity charts for almost four decades.

Well known for their abilities in the water, Labradors actually derive from 16^th Century Newfoundlands where they were used as working dogs, specifically on fishing boats where they helped to retrieve nets and lost lines.

There are a number of brushes and tools you should have to keep your Lab’s coat in tip top condition:

1. Bristle brush
2. Slicker brush
3. De-shedding tool
4. Rubber brush

Not all these tools are to be used daily, however, we’d encourage running a bristle brush over your Lab every couple of days to remove any dirt or loose hairs from the surface of the coat.

 

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling

Only entering the UK in 1988, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling (also known as “Toller”) originates from Canada and is mainly used as a hunting dog.

Using their tail as a tool, the Toller was used to lure wildfowl to hunters gaining them a reputation as an excellent gun dog.

You should use a pin brush once a week to groom your Toller, and increase the brushing to daily when the shedding season begins.

For all types of Retriever, we’d recommend using our Dog Grooming Dryer Brush for in-between grooms to help maintain a gorgeous ‘fresh-from-the-groomer’ look.

DIY Dog Grooming for Schnauzer

Schnauzers can be traced back to as early as the 14^th Century Germany, as has even been known to be featured in a Rembrandt painting of the era.

Schnauzers originally weren’t named Schnauzer, in fact they were named the Wirehaired Pinscher but adopted the name Schnauzer in 1879 after the Wirehaired Pinscher who won the first ‘breed’ class of that year.

Special care is to be take when maintaining your Schnauzers coat.

They naturally have hypoallergenic hair, so are a recommended breed for dog lovers who love dogs but sadly are allergic to them.

They also have a double coat consisting of a softer undercoat and a tough wiry outercoat.

Unusually, Schnauzer’s coats don’t shed so the upmost care should be taken when maintaining their coat.

Schnauzer’s are prone to getting knots in their fur, so the best remedy to this problem, is to regularly brush their coat with a soft bristle brush.

This should particularly be important when your pup is reaching adulthood (typically from 12-15 months).

We’d also recommend using our Grooming Dryer Brush to keep your Schnauzer’s coat in a tip top condition between grooms.

In particular the oval head brush to help keep pesky knots at bay.

DIY Dog Grooming for Spaniel

Arguably the largest group of one breed, the Spaniel has nine different variations in its class:

• American Cocker
• American Water
• Clumber
• English Cocker
• English Springer
• Field
  
• Irish Water
• Sussex
• Welsh Springer

American Cocker

Despite having the same roots as the English Cocker, the American Cocker has, due to selective breeding, gained different features to its English Cousin.

A more rounded head, shorter muzzle and a longer coat mark the difference between the two.

American Cockers tend to have a guard coat with a soft woolly undercoat so regular brushing is necessary.

Because of this, we’d recommend brushing your American Coker daily with a slicker brush to make sure there are no tangles in the long coat.

 

American Water

Originally referred to as ‘the brown water spaniel’, the American Water Spaniel was developed to retrieve ducks and to flush out wildlife such as wildfowl.

Due to their love of water, they were renamed the American Water Spaniel and makes the perfect partner if heading out on the open seas.

As the dog is so adept to water, the coat is made up of a dense undercoat and an outercoat which appears in a wave formation.

Their coats are naturally very oily so don’t be alarmed if your pup leaves traces of this around your home and on your furniture. This is due to its water-resistant nature.

We’d recommend giving your AWS a weekly brushing using a slicker brush to help maintain cleanliness.

 

Clumber

The heaviest of the Spaniel family, the Clumber was favoured amongst nobility and the gentry, particularly for their excellent hunting skills.

Named after Cumber Park in Nottingham, King George V was well known for having a troupe of Clumbers on his Sandringham Estate.

Due to the breed shedding all year round, especially during the seasonal shifts, we’d recommend grooming your Clumber upwards of once a week.

Similarly to the Labrador, you’ll need an array of tools to keep your Clumber’s coat in peak condition.

We’d recommend grooming daily with a slicker brush, and brushing frequently with a bristle brush, a rubber brush or glove and a de-shedder to rid any pesky loose hairs.

 

English Cocker

One of the most popular breeds for families today, the English Cocker was developed to work the land in the late 19^th Century.

Unlike their American Water cousins, Cockers were bred to work on the terrain and have earnt particular favour amongst game hunters where he derived his name from hunting woodcock.

A Cocker’s coat isn’t easy to maintain, hence why so many owners tend to get their dog closely clipped when they go to the groomers as those who can’t commit to the daily groom needn’t let the dog suffer with some nasty knots.

Professional showers would recommend hand stripping your Cocker’s coat, but if you aren’t sure how to do it it’s easy enough to learn by watching a few simple videos.

For home grooming for your longer haired Cocker, you’ll need the following:

• Soft bristle brush
• Metal pin brush
• Slicker brush
• Steel comb
• De-matting comb
• Grooming glove
• Stripping comb

The soft bristle brush is ideal for your cocker for when it’s still a puppy, it can also be used into adulthood but for a more penetrating brush we’d recommend one of the others.

The metal pin and the slicker brush are great for untangling any nasty knots or removing any dead hair that’s lying in wait in the coat, however be careful when applying pressure with this brush as too much pressure will be extremely uncomfortable for your dog.

Once all knots are gone, try using a metal comb through your Cocker’s fur. The metal comb will penetrate down into the undercoat and so helps prevent any mats.

We’d highly recommend using our Dog Grooming Dryer Brush for in-between grooms of your Cocker Spaniel.

The Ionic function built in will leave your pup’s hair looking and feeling ever-so-soft.

 

English Springer

The most popular of the Spaniels for land work, the Springer adopted its name due to the ‘springing’ motion it does as it flushes game out of their hiding places.

Springers tend to have a medium length coat that does require a lot of grooming, mostly because it’s very easy for a Springer’s coat to become matted – especially behind the ears.

Whilst it’s essential that you brush your Springer’s entirety a few times a week, it’s important to ensure that you brush its ears daily to make sure no nasty knots can form.

We’d recommend using a grooming glove to go over your Springer’s body as this is a great way of distributing the natural oils across your pup’s coat.

We’d also recommend using a fine-tooth comb on the ears, but mind how you go now, any sharp pulls may cause your pooch some pain.

 

Field

Way back in the 19^th Century all land Spaniels were referred to as ‘Field Spaniels” and then told apart due to their size and colouring.

It wasn’t until the breed crossed with a Sussex Spaniel, a Springer Spaniel and even reports of a Basset Hound that the Field Spaniel was fully accepted as its own breed and could be told apart due to their solid colouring.

Unfortunately, in the early 20^th Century, the breed almost became extinct and serious breeders had to work to bring them back.

You could say they’re the best comeback story since Take That!

The tools you’ll need to brush your Field are:

• Metal comb
• Bristle brush
• Slicker brush

Due to the silkiness of the Field’s coat, daily brushing is recommended, however a few times a week will suffice if you have a busy schedule.

We’d recommend first starting with the bristle brush and brushing with the lay of the hair.

Next, take the slicker brush and brush again against the lay of the hair, this will retrieve any dead hair or loose hair that’re waiting to shed.

Lastly, use a come to brush out your Field’s feathering and ears to get out any hard to reach knots that had been missed by the slicker.

 

Irish Water

The curliest coated of the breed, it is thought that the Irish Water Spaniel was derived from the English Water Spaniel (now sadly extinct), the Poodle and the French Barbet.

Despite having the title of a Spaniel, the Irish Water is considered to be a Retriever and competes in this category when in showing in the UK.

One of the most energetic of the spaniels (if you can believe it), the Irish Water was originally developed to retrieve game from, you guessed it, the water.

They have naturally hypoallergenic long coats so only require brushing a couple of times a week to help spread their natural waterproofing oils and make them look neat and tidy.

Tools you’ll need to brush your pup:

• Soft bristle brush
• Wide-tooth steel comb
• De-matting comb
• Slicker brush

The soft bristle brush will get rid of any initial stray bits of dirt or debris from your pup’s coat.

Next, use a wide-tooth steel comb to work your way through the coat. This will help to detect any tangles, any of which can be handled with the de-matting comb.

Lastly go over the coat with a slicker brush, twice. Start with the head, then the legs and feet and lastly the body.

You should begin using the slicker brush by brushing in the opposite direction to the hairs natural lay, then going over in the same direction to enable you’ve reached down to the skin.

 

Sussex

The rarest of the land Spaniels, the Sussex Spaniel was originally developed in Hastings in Sussex to be used to scour the dense cover of its local terrain.

Sussex Spaniels are therefore lower to the ground and have a thick dense coat to protect their skin from what lurks in the undergrowth.

As a Sussex is a silky breed they require brushing daily to keep their coat in pristine condition.

Please before brushing, make sure you remove any bits of twig or leaves that could be lurking in your Sussex’s coat.

Brushes you’ll need for your Sussex:

• Slicker brush
• Bristle brush

A slicker brush should only be used to brush the body of your Sussex, do not use a slicker brush on your Sussex’s head or ears. Be careful when applying pressure.

A bristle brush should be used to go over your Sussex’s coat at least once a week to remove any stray dirt or debris that’s lodged in there.

 

Welsh Springer

The beautiful red and white markings of the Welsh Springer really set it apart from the other spaniels as they’re only available in this colouring.

The Welsh Springer’s history can be traced as far back as the Middle Ages and was originally used as a hunting dog.

Brushes and tools you’ll require:

• Slicker brush
• Bristle brush
• Combination comb
• Shedding tool

Don’t forget before you begin to lightly mist the coat with some moisture, a Welshie’s coat shouldn’t ever be brushed when dry as it can cause breakages.

Like a Sussex, the Welshie is a silky coated breed so will require brushing daily to keep any tangles or mats in the fur at bay.

Again, similar to the Sussex, we’d recommend firstly brushing with a slicker brush on the body area of you pup, avoid using the slicker on the head or ears as it could cause some distress.

Afterwards, use a bristle brush or a combination comb to go over your pup’s coat to make sure any remaining loose hairs have been removed.

All the spaniel family can look their best in-between grooms with our Dog Grooming Dryer Brush, with 3 interchangeable heads there’s a perfect head for every variation.

Do you have any hints and tips of dog brushes for your breed? Let us know!