TAG | Pet Dogs
Poodle grooming can be a daunting task, but a necessary part of owning this particular breed. Well-groomed poodles have healthier skin and coats and grooming also helps prevent health problems.
A poodle’s hair never stops growing, so a full clipping is necessary every six to eight weeks. If you can afford it, it may be best to pay someone else to groom your poodle. The steps involved can be labor intensive and it is sometimes best left to a professional.
Choose your groomer carefully and take advice from other poodle owners in your area. You might want to consider scooping out different breeders in the area. Visit their shops without your dog and pay attention to how the facility is managed. Look for a clean shop and a groomer with a gentle hand and manner.
If money is an issue, you can use a professional groomer every second time. You can maintain your poodles grooming yourself in between visits and save money.
To maintain your poodle’s cut between visits, you will need some quality dog grooming tools. Your groomer can often purchase professional tools for you at a discount, or you can find quality tools at a good pet store or at a dog show.
You will need a high quality pair of clippers and scissors. Keep your clippers in top working condition by cleaning the blades and oiling them regularly. Dull blades can scrape the skin of your poodle and cause clipper burn. Look for a pair of clippers that have a many blades, this way you can rotate the blades during the grooming session if need be.
You will also need quality brushes and combs to maintain your poodle’s cut between grooming sessions. Your dog should be well brushed at least twice a week, if not daily.
Even though poodles don’t shed as much as other dogs, they do lose hair. That hair remains in the dog’s coat until you brush it out. Brushing will also keep your poodle’s coat shiny by distributing the skin’s natural oils.
Ask your groomer for brush recommendations, as the right brush will depend on what type of cut your poodle has. Bi-weekly brushing sessions can be a great way to bond with your dog. Gentle but vigorous brushing will make your dog feel good and increase circulation in the skin.
You can bathe your poodle as often as once a week. Using a raised tub with a non-slip mat will make the experience more pleasurable for you both. To start, use warm water to soak your dog’s coat to the skin.
Since poodles are water dogs they naturally shed water so it might take some effort to get the coat completely wet. You can use a mild dog shampoo to bathe your poodle.
Make sure to rinse the shampoo out of the dog’s coat thoroughly. Any leftover residue can be irritating to the dog’s skin. After your poodle’s bath you can let the dog air dry for a curly look, or brush out the hair while blow-drying to give the coat a smooth and fluffy look.
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The Growing Popularity of Miniature Dog Breeds in British Homes
0 Comments | Posted by admin in Lhasa Apso Grooming
There seems to be a growing trend toward miniature dog breeds in the UK. Miniature and toy breeds of dogs are a great choice for a person or family who living in a flat, apartment or small home. There are many different breeds to choose from so you can choose the one that best suited for you and your lifestyle.
Small dog breeds are great choices for people who want the loyal companionship of a pet but have limited space. They need daily exercise but don’t need a lot of area to make them happy. Small dog breeds love to be held and pampered. No matter what size dog you prefer there are hundreds of breeds to choose from.
Below you will find the description of some of the popular miniature and toy breeds that can make wonderful additions to any family no matter the lifestyle.
MalteseThe Maltese is a cute small dog with a beautiful white coat. They are one of the oldest dog breeds and are also a very hardy breed. They do need daily brushing and grooming to keep their coats healthy.
They are energetic and very playful. The Maltese makes a good companion for retirees, city dwellers and families. They are good with children and enjoy daily walks.
Lhasa ApsoThe Lhasa Apso pronounced (lha-sah ap-so) is a tiny, lively and friendly companion. These charming and elegant looking dogs originated in Tibet. They are very loyal and even though they are small they believe they are the protectors of the home. They are active and enjoy daily walks and brushing.
These adorable little mites have a long dense coat that can be in a variety of colours, including; tan, cream, slate, brown and black and white. Its head is draped with long hair and has a square muzzle with dark eyes and a beard and moustache. It has a feathered tail which curves over its back.
Cavalier King Charles SpanielThe Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a great little dog that is a good companion for people who live in cities and are not as lively and energetic as some of the other miniature dog breeds.
They have a very loving nature and easily adapt to any type of household. They do need grooming for their long coat and regular exercise. They are very loyal and a sociable small dog that will fit into most lifestyles.
Miniature SchnauzerThe Miniature Schnauzer is a breed of small dog that originated in Germany in the 19th century. They are highly intelligent and easy to train. They are alert and playful and have high energy. They love attention and like to be right in the middle of all family activities.
They have small square frames with long heads that have a big bushy moustaches, beards and eyebrows. Their coat is usually solid black, salt & pepper, silver and black and sometimes white in colour. They do need to have regular haircuts and need to be brushed often
Welsh CorgiThere are two breeds of Welsh Corgi and they are the Cardigan Corgi and the Pembroke Corgi. Theses are both small dogs with big hearts. They are loyal, alert, and affectionate. They make great family dogs and are good with children. They are active, playful and love to get plenty of exercise.
Both Corgis are powerful and agile and have broad heads and pointed muzzles. They have large pointed ears with slightly rounded tips. The Corgis were first introduced into the dog show ring in 1925. The Welsh Corgi breed is a healthy breed which has few disease problems. They are independent little mites and love attention.
Shih TzuThe Shih Tzu is a lively and energetic little dog. They can be low-keyed if they are getting the attention they crave. They love to be pampered and love to be held and petted. They have an air of nobility about them and can be haughty at times.
The Shih Tzu would make a good family pet. They are good with older children and adapt well into most enviourments. They make good companions for city dwellers and don’t require much exercise. They require more care than other breeds when it comes to grooming. They need daily brushing and regular haircuts to avoid tangles and matting of their hair. They shed very little dandruff and make a great companion for a person with allergies.
No matter what size of dog you have you should consider buying pet insurance. It is like having health insurance on yourself, it is there when you need it for those unexpected large health-related bills. By having this kind of insurance you can ensure that your pet will get the best treatment if they are ever injured or seriously ill. They don’t have to be puppies to be eligible; as long as you keep the premiums up they will be covered for their lifetime.
