From having long coats to no fur at all, dog hair is remarkably diverse and variable. Different types of coats require different care and grooming, which we hope to offer you a brief introduction to.

Silky coats are long and glossy, and found on breeds such as the Yorkshire Terrier, Afghan Hound, and Tibetan Terrier. Healthy silky coats should appear shiny, but are prone to tangling when they are allowed to grow without regular grooming. Dogs with silky coats should be groomed with slicker and bristle brushes, and washed every two or so weeks. Their coats should be dried with a hairdryer as opposed to just being left.

Many breeds have what is known as a “double-coat” including German Shepherds, Labradors, Golden Retrievers, and Pugs. This consists of a longer thicker outer coat, and shorter but softer undercoat. Undercoats serve specific purposes so should never be purposefully removed without direct veterinary advice or supervision. These dogs should be groomed two to three times a week, bathed every month or so, and be towel-dried.

Puppy coats are still developing, so should always be treated delicately and with care. Spratts have produced a brush specifically for use on young dogs, and that may be worth investigating. Bathing should be conducted sparingly, and only with mild shampoos and conditioners. This is best left to professional groomers such as Golden Bone. We can make this an enjoyable experience for your puppy and ensure that they view attending a grooming parlour as a positive they look forward to.

Terriers, Poodles, and cross-breeds most commonly present with curly and wool-coated fur. This is more like hair than regular dog fur, so tends not to shed. These breeds are often favoured for their hypoallergenic properties. A combination of detangling and slicker brushes are usually enough for their coats, while bathing is again best left to professional groomers.

Wire coats are commonly found in terriers, and can be particularly challenging to groom because of their tendency to aggressively clump. Special stripping blades tend to be the best way to maintain a wiry coat. Wire-coated dogs should not be bathed too often, and afterwards are best dried with a simple towelling.

Smooth and short-coated dogs have fur that is relatively easy to maintain. Weekly brushing is recommended, and bathing is seldom needed. Towelling is the best way to dry these dogs. Smooth and short-coated breeds include Bulldogs, the Greyhound, and Pointer.

We are all able to groom dogs with all kinds of coats at our Holme-on-Spalding-Moor parlour in East Yorkshire. To book a grooming session or find out more, please DM us on any of our social media feeds or email info@goldenbone.co.uk.