How to Groom a Large Long Haired Dog

Like any other dog, large long haired dogs need to be groomed to ensure their prolonged health and happiness. However, because their long hair is more prone to tangling and matting and is more likely to pick up bits of debris, large long haired dogs tend to need grooming more regularly than a smaller dog with shorter hair. Fortunately, it is easy to properly groom a long haired dog at home in little time and without spending money on a professional groomer.

Things You'll Need

  • Cotton balls
  • Dog conditioner
  • Dog shampoo
  • Flea and tick medicine
  • Personal trimmers
  • Wire pin brush
  • Witch hazel
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Instructions

    • 1

      Brush your long haired dog's hair with a wire pin brush every day to prevent matting and tangles and remove any debris that may have become stuck in the dog's fur.

    • 2

      Bathe your long haired dog often, anywhere from once a week to once a month. Place it in a bathtub with about three inches of lukewarm water. Turn on the shower and repeatedly comb your fingers back and forth through your dog's hair as the water rains down to rinse the fur. This will help to remove debris while cleansing the dog's skin. Attempt to saturate your dog's fur with water, wetting even his underside and tail. Make sure not to allow any water to enter your dog's eyes. Apply a small amount of dog shampoo to his head, again without allowing any to enter his eyes. Gently massage the shampoo into the fur all over his body, making sure to get the shampoo all the way down to his skin, then rinse. Apply conditioner in the same manner and rinse. Turn off the water and allow your dog to shake off in the tub. Blow dry your dog's hair or allow his fur to air dry.

    • 3

      Clean your long haired dog's ears after he has dried from a bath. Soak a cotton ball in witch hazel and gently swab the inside of each ear.

    • 4

      Apply flea and tick medicine down your long haired dog's spine after he has dried from a bath. Follow the directions on your specific bottle of flea and tick medicine to ensure your dog's health and safety.

    • 5

      Trim your long haired dog's hair with a pair of personal trimmers any time it begins to look scraggly. Gently close the trimmers to clip around the hair that extends off the pads of his feet. Any scruff that extends off of the dog's legs and which you can see through can also be trimmed.