Bathing and Grooming

Combing and brushing dogs regularly is essential, particularly for long-haired breeds. It is best to establish this habit early in a dog’s life, so that daily grooming becomes part of its routine.

Grooming removes dust, dead skin, loose hairs, grass seeds and tangles. It also assists to shorten the coat moult, which occurs each autumn and spring.

Dogs should be bathed when necessary using a shampoo specifically prepared for dogs. Using a flea control shampoo and a flea rinse, particularly in the summer, will also help control fleas although there are now a number of options for this problem. When bathing a dog in cooler weather, towels or a hair drier can be used to remove excess water and assist in drying the coat.