How to Groom a Labrador

Some dogs you can tell that they are a good work breed simply by their names, such as with Labrador retrievers. Labradors have been trained as hunting dogs since the 1800s. A Labrador's fur, which comes in yellow (also known as golden), black and chocolate brown, has a dense undercoat that helps keep them relatively dry even when chasing and retrieving waterfowl. They also have a thin surface coat as well. For the most part, Labrador retrievers are very low maintenance when it comes to grooming, limited to weekly brushing and occasional nail clippings and baths.

Things You'll Need

  • Slicker brush
  • Fine-toothed comb
  • Mat rake of scissors (optional)
  • Garden hose (optional)
  • Dog shampoo
  • Dog cream rinse conditioner (optional)
  • Pet nail clippers
  • Dog treats
  • Styptic pencil or powder (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Use a wire slicker brush (a brush designed to help eliminate surface mats or clumps in pet fur) to brush your Labrador's coat fully. Brush the coat in the general direction that it's growing along the back, sides, chest, neck, legs, and tail. Brush chocolate and black Labradors once per week and yellow Labradors two or three times a week as the lighter colored dogs shed much more often.

    • 2

      Go over the Labrador's coat with a fine-toothed comb, such as a detangling comb, to remove more serious mats of fur that brushing could not. Don't tug hard on the Labrador's coat, as this could injure it.

    • 3

      Use a short-hair mat rake to cut through any remaining clumps of fur. Cut the clumps away using scissors if you don't have a mat rake. Grab the matted fur between the teeth of the comb and cut the fur just below the comb's underside surface.

    • 4

      Bathe your Labrador retriever once or twice a year (more often if its coat gets dirty). Place the Labrador in a bathtub or wash it outside using cool water from a garden hose. Wet the coat fully and place a small amount of liquid dog shampoo in your palms. Work up a lather and rub all over your dog's coat, avoiding the eyes, nose and mouth. Rinse the coat well and lather the dog's coat again, if necessary.

    • 5

      Use a dog-specific cream rinse conditioner if your Labrador's coat feels coarse or dry. Lather the cream rinse in the same manner as the shampoo and let it sit on the Labrador's coat for a few minutes before rinsing fully. Towel dry the dog's coat.

    • 6

      Feed the Labrador several dog treats and position yourself next to it. Grab one of the Labrador's front paws and press on the bottom of the foot pad to expose its nails. Clip the nail using pet nail clippers until your reach about one-quarter inch away from the quick. Stop cutting if you start to see the nail turn pink, as you are very close to the quick. Repeat for the remaining nails on that foot and all remaining nails. Give your Labrador dog treats frequently and talk to it in low tones to keep it content while cutting its nails.