Types of combs for dogs: how to choose the right one

Brushing is an essential part of dog grooming. There is no way to avoid this procedure - both long-haired dogs and pets with smooth short fur require care.

In the process of combing, dead hairs, traces of parasites, as well as all sorts of foreign objects, such as various debris or dirt that has stuck during walks, are removed from the dog’s coat.

Among other things, brushing hair is an excellent massage for the dog’s skin, which many animals enjoy: it improves subcutaneous blood circulation, and natural fatty lubricant is evenly distributed throughout the skin.

Brushing also allows dog owners to spend less time cleaning their home.

How often do pets need hair brushing?

During the molting period, dogs have to do combing especially often. On other days, dogs have different needs for cleaning their fur.

Animals with smooth short hair can be brushed once every 12-15 days, dogs with short but coarse hair need brushing once every 20-22 days.

Long-haired dogs require the most attention: they should be brushed almost daily.

In any case, all breeds of animals have their own standard standards for cleaning hair, so the owner should definitely find out how often to comb the dog from a specialist.

Combing different types of fur

There are six types of dog hair in nature, so it is important to know what type your pet is in order to care for it correctly:

The wool is "regular". It has medium length and thickness. Its owners include many breeds, for example, huskies, Labradors, German shepherds, Spitz. The coat is double - long and hard on the outside, soft and shorter on the inside (undercoat). Like other breeds, these dogs shed twice a year and during this period it is necessary to brush the dogs as often as possible to help get rid of dead hair. The rest of the time, combing is done no more than 2-3 times a week.
Non-shedding hard coat. Nature has decreed that these breeds have lost the ability to change their coat. But it is still necessary to help them get rid of the old cover, however, combing out will not help here. This is where plucking and trimming takes place. This procedure is necessary for terriers, schnauzers, wire-haired terriers and some other representatives of rare breeds.
The wool is “smooth”. Despite their scant coat, dogs of short-haired breeds can shed intensively, and removing their hair from carpets and furniture is very difficult. They are combed out with special rubber brushes, but a slicker brush is not useful in this case. This type of care is suitable for dachshunds, Dobermans, Dalmatians, Rottweilers, bulldogs, etc.
The coat is “curly” and non-shedding. Poodles and some types of terriers have it. The main care product, in this case, is a haircut. Combing is, of course, also done, especially often during the molting period. A slicker brush or a brush with a wire surface is used.
The wool is “long”. The breeds that wear it are quite impressive and always attract attention - these are Afghan hounds, Briards, setters, long-haired collies and shelties, spaniels, etc. To make the coat look well-groomed, it is necessary to comb it daily with a wide-toothed comb. The advantage of such dogs is that their rich undercoat is suitable for yarn and knitting warm clothes, medical belts, which some pet owners enjoy using.
Atypical coat. If you are lucky enough to become the owner of a pet of an exotic breed with a unique coat, for example, twisted like a strand, like a bullet, then in this case it is unlikely that you will be able to figure out on your own what to do with the dog’s fur. Consulting a breeder or specialist in this matter will help.

Methods for brushing pets

Methods for removing hair from dogs depend on its type, as well as whether the animal has experienced seasonal shedding.

Pets with long hair should be brushed with a special comb daily, while short-haired pets can be brushed with a massage mitt a couple of times a week.

Thorough brushing, affecting not only the coat, but also the undercoat, should be carried out 1-2 times a week.

Dog brushing devices

How can you comb your dog of hair and dirt? Many different devices have been invented that make it easier for animal owners to maintain their fur in normal condition.

Such devices include:

single-row combs for long, but not very thick hair. There are also tools with teeth of different lengths that help untangle thick fur and undercoat, as well as combs with movable teeth;
brushes with soft bristles. This is a device for combing smooth-haired dogs, and also an excellent tool for a pleasant massage;
a convenient massage mitten brush that allows you to remove old undercoat;
slicker for removing loose undercoat. This is a device with thin curved teeth and rounded tips. Designed for dogs with thick long hair.

How to comb out dog mats? To get rid of tangles, there is a special comb with pointed teeth and a handle, with which you can not only untangle hairballs, but also carefully cut them off.

The use of tangle cutters must be very careful, otherwise the dog can be easily injured.

You can purchase these and other products at any pet store.

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Dog grooming equipment

There are quite a lot of different products that can keep your pet’s fur in perfect shape: these are combs, slickers, tangle cutters, combs, etc.

The most common tools, of course, are combs. But, of course, we are talking about special tools suitable for wool, and certain requirements are imposed on them:

Any pet comb should have blunt teeth, otherwise it can damage the skin. You can check its safety on yourself by running the teeth over your palm; if the teeth catch the skin or an unpleasant sensation appears, then such a tool is not suitable.
You should choose a tool that has teeth shorter than your pet's fur.
It is recommended to purchase at least two combs - for initial processing (removing tangles, untangling matted areas) and final processing.
A comb-comb, the teeth of which are very frequent (the distance between them is 0.5 mm), is intended for combing out parasites. However, if you have a thick coat, it will not be possible to use it for its intended purpose, but it is quite possible to use it during shedding to remove old hair.

If your pet has long, silky hair, then it is better to give preference to a massage brush; for dogs with short hair, a brush with bristles is suitable, in appearance reminiscent of an attribute for cleaning clothes or shoes.

Another important item is a “slicker brush”, which helps to cope with ordinary thick hair. Their working surface is made of metal.

Like combs, slicker brushes should have blunt teeth. You can find similar tools on sale in a variety of sizes, but experts do not recommend purchasing the largest ones. Not only will they not speed up the combing process, but they are also not very convenient to use. For a medium-sized dog, a slicker with sides of 6-7 cm is suitable, for a larger pet - a little larger. When choosing, you should evaluate the strength of the fit of the teeth; they should not dangle freely.

Tangle cutters - this tool allows you to reliably get rid of such troubles as matted tangles. But they do not cut the knots, but unravel them. In fact, this is a great helper for owners of long-haired pets, since almost always when brushing you have to deal with hairballs.

3 types of webbing cutters

The webbing cutters are made from stainless steel. They are equipped with easy-to-use handles. Like other tools, this device is selected based on the size of the pet and the length of its fur.

Scratchers - got this name for their appearance. People call it “rake”. This is one of the most necessary care devices. Here, when choosing, you need to focus on the length of the teeth; the longer the fur, the longer the teeth should be. Brushes are excellent at combing fur, and, in addition, clean the animal’s skin of dead cells and remove old fur during the molting period.

During use, the rake must be held at an angle towards the dog to avoid damaging the skin.

Rubber or silicone gloves and brushes are used to care for smooth-haired dogs that are not burdened with a thick undercoat. They are convenient for getting rid of dead hairs during seasonal molting. For the same purposes, you can use a small piece of suede fabric.

High technologies have affected animal care products, and the Furminator is proof of this. The tool is made of stainless steel, and the plastic handle is equipped with an anti-slip rubber braid. According to studies, up to 90% of old hair can be removed at one time.

The Furminator does not damage the skin or affect new hair and is suitable for almost all breeds, except those that have minimal or no undercoat. The device is very easy to use, just move it without effort in the direction of hair growth.

Shedding in a dog - what can you do to help your pet?

Shreds of dog hair become a real problem in the house during hair changes.

How to properly brush your dog when shedding? A device such as a furminator helps prevent pieces of wool from sticking to clothes and floor coverings in the house. This is a comb-like product with a wide base, a comfortable handle and thick short teeth.

Using a furminator, you can remove up to 80% of all shedding hair in one procedure. The device is suitable for dogs with any length of hair.

Conditions that must be observed during the procedure

You need to teach your dog to brush its fur from early childhood. Moreover, some dog breeds require regular care from puppyhood.

To prevent cleaning the fur and skin from becoming a frightening procedure for the animal, you should use only those devices that are selected according to the characteristic features and length of the dog’s fur.

Cleaning should be careful and gentle, accompanied by kind words and affection, as well as tasty treats.

What are they for?

A brush is a tool for home and professional dog grooming. It differs from a regular comb in that it is intended more for removing dead hair and massaging.

Despite the differences in coat types, every dog requires regular grooming and brushing is a must. This tool is needed for:

getting rid of tangles and knots in wool;
acceleration of molting;
removing dead hair;
massage;
distribution of sebaceous gland secretions;
preparation for cosmetic procedures;
makes it easier to wash your dog.

Removing dead undercoat, awns and simultaneous massage promote the growth of new, healthy and shiny hairs. In addition, irritation appears under the tangles on the skin, and the tangled strands have to be cut off. This way the brush preserves the beauty of the dog’s coat and health. With its regular use, old wool does not fly around the house and does not remain on furniture, so cleaning becomes easier and less frequent.

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When to contact specialists

It happens that cleaning an animal's fur presents some difficulties for the owner. In this case, it is better to resort to the help of specialists who have experience in handling animals, special tools, and therefore are able to tidy up even the most neglected fur.

And most importantly, these specialists help to accustom almost any dog to such an important event for it and will show the owner how to properly comb the dog.

What is not recommended to do

Dogs do not like it when the comb is brushed against the growth of its fur. Rough movements and punishments always scare away the animal, and you should not pull the dog’s tail while cleaning.

The owner should not use combs or brushes intended for human use for cleaning.

Perfect dog coat - the right tools

All devices for combing dogs are conventionally combined into several sections. These include various trimmers and slickers, combs and brushes, combs and rakes. In addition, there are also furminators for removing undercoat.

The greatest variety is among brushes and combs. They differ in different parameters: stiffness and material of the bristles and base, size, etc.

Buying shampoo and paw wax are also top priorities at the pet store, but first, let's choose the right comb for your pet.

Photo tips on how to comb a dog

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