Saucy Pet

Posts Tagged ‘wire-hair’

Dogs require regular grooming to keep their nails in trim and their coats healthy. Exactly which technique to use for your Dachshund depends on which of the three main types you have.

Smooth-Coat

A Smooth-Coat Dachshund is the classic, short-haired type you have seen in a hundred films and ads. Their coats are easy to care for, requiring little more than regular brushing and bathing. “Regular” varies with the dog’s age and environment.

Grooming Supplies for dogs can be found at LuvUrDog.com

Younger dogs can require baths as often as once per week, though once a month is fine when they stay out of dirt and bushes.Be sure to keep their coats brushed and clean regurlarly if they live in rougher circumstances. “Regularly” means at least twice per week, and as necessary.When they are done playing, remove plant material.

A wire slicker brush is fine for grooming, but exercise care. Even though all dogs are durable, it’s important not to scrape the skin. That leads to hot spots that the dog will make worse by licking and chewing. Since Dachshunds are an assertive, high-energy breed, extra caution is needed.

Wire-Hair

The wirey hair on the muzzle, chest and legs of this variety gives them the name. It can also give them a need for extra grooming care.In their case, more frequent baths along with more regular brushing will be called for.Brushing will take longer as well.

Like the terriers they look like, the stiff coat is actually in two layers. Get the undercoat with a slicker and use a regular brush for the upper layer. Remember, too, that they will shed more.A shed control shampoo may be necessary. Be ready for seasonal changes as they naturally adjust to the change in weather by shedding more.

Trim any excess hair off the muzzle to keep it from dragging on the ground. Cutting behind the rear legs will be needed once it reaches a length that leads to mats. Otherwise, regular brushing of once or twice a week is good enough.

Long-Hair

As the name suggests, this type has long, wavy hair. Since Doxies are low to the ground, more regular trimming will be needed, along with more frequent bathing.Brushing every other day, especially behind the ears, will help to avoid matting with this variety.When mats arise, trim them gradually with a blunt-nose pair of scissors until you have removed enough to work out the tangle with a brush and fingers.

A shampoo that contains conditioner works well with these Doxies.Take care not to over-bathe them, though, which can lead to dried, scaly skin. Gentle, regular brushing will help, since it smooths natural oils under the coat and over the skin.

Nail Trimming

All types need to have their nails trimmed often, usually weekly. The normal technique is okay. Obtain a good pair of nail trimmers and hold each foot firmly, searching for the quick. Cut well away from the quick to avoid accidents, which are more likely in the Dachshund’s case because they have a feisty nature.

Only-Dachshunds has gifts and more for the Doxie Lover