How to Groom a Shaggy-Haired Dog

Grooming shaggy dogs is much easier with the proper tools. It's important to groom regularly, so that the shaggy coats of these dogs do not become matted or develop knots. Regular weekly grooming is a must, and a quick daily brushing will keep your dog looking neat. Depending on the type of fur the dog has, occasional trimming may also be necessary. Long, straight coats can develop scraggly hairs, and shorter wiry coats become uneven. Assess your dog's coat to determine what type of trimming is needed.

Things You'll Need

  • Spray bottle with water
  • Bristle brush
  • Pin brush
  • Slicker brush
  • Greyhound comb
  • Matt rake
  • Scissors
  • Dog shampoo
  • Coat conditioner
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Instructions

    • 1

      Groom your shaggy dog before bathing it. Remove all mats and knots from the coat before you get it wet, otherwise, they will be difficult to untangle and need to be cut out. Lightly mist the dog with water from a spray bottle. This keeps the hair from breaking and helps loosen any mats at the ends.

    • 2

      Begin brushing the dog with a bristle brush. Start at the back and brush away from the body. Once you've gone over the entire dog, start working in sections.

    • 3

      Separate the hair a bit at a time. Part the hair section by section and brush against the way the hair grows with a pin brush, then back in the direction the hair grows to ensure there are no tangles or mats. This is called line brushing and should be done once a week.

    • 4
      Use a brush and comb to groom your shaggy dog.

      Use the greyhound comb to go over the dog's legs and body. If you find any mats, gently untangle them with the wide end of the comb or a mat rake. Spray stubborn mats with a bit of canine coat conditioner.

    • 5

      Use the scissors to trim hair from the dog's paws between the pads and around the edge of the foot. Trim the nails with a clipper.

    • 6

      Bathe the dog with a shampoo designed for dogs. Follow with a canine coat conditioner for a softer coat, and which also inhibits mat formation.

    • 7

      Blow the dog partly dry with a hairdryer. Avoid drying completely; this dries the coat out. Let the dog finish by air drying and brush the coat with a pin brush.

    • 8
      Shaggy dogs need frequent grooming to avoid becoming matted.

      Trim any long or straggly hairs from a straight-haired dog to even the coat up. Excessive trimming should not be necessary. A curly- or wire-haired dog may need to be clipped periodically, or scissor-trimmed when needed.