Dog Breeds and Their Coat Type

Just one visit to a fully qualified groomer can help you with advice but we hope this article will help you understand the different Dog Breeds and Their Coat Type

Even dogs that are a regular visitor to the grooming salon will need to be brushed at home and any good groomers (huh, hum) will help you with free advice on doing this. By showing you the correct tools and the way to use them, you will be able to keep your dog’s coat looking good in between grooms. Some coats are easier to manage than others however and it is important to take this into consideration when deciding on a breed of dog that will be right for your family/lifestyle. Below, we have given a brief description of the different types of coats a long with a rating of 1-5, 1 being easy and 5 being hardest to maintain.  For example;

 

• Smooth Coat

Dogs who are smooth-coated do not need to be groomed often, but their hair should be tended to regularly. The focus here should be on quality when it comes to baths and brushing. Breeds with this type of fur are including but not limited to, the bull terrier and the dachshund. These types of coats are quite easy to maintain so if you’re a busy family with no real time to commit to brushing, a smooth coated dog would be right for you.

RATING 1

 

• Double Coat

A dog with a double coat will need a little more love and care. These dogs may have short or long hair. A special brush with a wide-toothed comb should be used. Breeds with this type of coat include the Rottweiler, chow and border collie. Not too tricky to maintain but does require some attention.

RATING 2

 

• Wire Coat

Wire coats require consistent grooming and can be more susceptible to matts and tangles. Terrier dogs are the most popular category who have this type of coat. There may be some hand stripping required to maintain the dogs coat, but if you’re not confident enough to do this yourself, shorter times between professional grooms is the way to go with these dogs. If you’re on a budget, this is certainly something you need to take into consideration.

RATING 3+ 1/2

 

• Long Coat

A dog with a long coat may require more attention than others, but don’t be scared. You will find a grooming regimen that suits you and your dog. First, find out if they coarse or silky coat. From there, determine the type of brush to get and you’ll need a detangling shampoo. Breeds with this type of coat are Yorkshire terrier, Maltese. You will need to keep on top of it or their coats could get matted* (we’ll touch on this a bit more, further down).

RATING 3

 

• Curly Coat / Wool coat

Dogs with a curly or wavy coat, have thick and soft curls close to the body. This type of coat requires a slicker brush for grooming and extra care. Breeds with this type of coat are the poodle and bichon fries, cockapoos etc. This type of coat is high maintenance! You will need to brush your dog every day to ensure the coat does not get tangled or matted*. Matts can be very painful for your dog and will cause a lot of discomfort if left for any length of time.

RATING 5

 

Due to the rising trends in these breeds ie; cockapoo, poodles, labradoodles etc, we are seeing more and more of them in the salon with thick matted clumps of hair that pulls on the dog’s skin and this can cause lesions which can lead to infection. We suspect that as a fashion breed, people are getting these dogs without knowing the full extent of what is required of them when it comes to maintaining their coat.

Hopefully this has helped you to understand your dog’s coat a little better and what you need to do to look after it for him at home. We are always happy to advise our customers on grooming so please take advantage of Clara and Lindsey in the grooming Salon, they really do know their onions! You can find them Here

If you’ve found this helpful why not read about How To Keep Your Dogs Ears Clean