Hair Care for Puppies

Caring for a puppy̵7;s hair is essential to maintain effective grooming and prepare the dog for a lifetime of proper grooming habits. Frequent treatment of the puppy̵7;s hair will help it grow accustomed to the grooming process, which will make grooming an uncomplicated process once the puppy reaches adulthood. Show dogs also use the puppy stage as the basis for the adult hairstyle required for specific dog breeds. A professional groomer can describe the best grooming routine for your particular breed of puppy.

  1. Washing

    • Give the puppy a bath in warm water every three to four days. Frequent washing is essential to coat health. Use a shampoo designed for use with the type of fur that your dog has. Use a short-hair formula for short-hair dogs and a long-hair formula for long hair dogs. Some shampoos come with formulations for specific breeds. Dry the dog with a towel and use a dog blow dryer to dry the coat after washing.

    Combing

    • Combing or brushing is an essential part of puppy hair care. Comb or brush the dog̵7;s hair every day for best results. This will remove excess hair, prevent tangles and remove large dirt clumps or matted fur. Handle the puppy gently, but firmly, so that it realizes that grooming is not a process to be feared, but can be an enjoyable process for dog and owner. Use a comb or brush formulated for the type of hair that your puppy has.

    Cutting

    • Most puppy cuts are designed to keep the hair out of the puppy̵7;s eyes and maintain a low-maintenance coat. This is largely due to the fact that puppies are high energy and do not have the patience for extended grooming sessions. Puppies should have a hair cut about every four to six weeks. Some breeds can go longer between trims, while others may require more frequent cuts.

    Hairstyles

    • Puppies can have several different hairstyles depending on the breed. A ̶0;puppy cut̶1; is typically a cut that mimics the appearance of the natural growth of the dog̵7;s hair. Many puppies have a ̶0;teddy bear̶1; cut, which frames the face in a square shape and trims the body hair close to the body. Some owners choose to have the hair on the dog̵7;s tail trimmed short while it is a puppy to make clean-up easier and to avoid tangles that are difficult to brush out.