What Is Line Brushing on Dogs?

Line brushing is a type of grooming that is often associated with dog breeds that are known for their thick and long coats. The brushing, which should be done approximately once a month, can be done to maintain long coats that are clean, silky, easy to manage and free of knots, mats and tangles. Some breeds that could benefit from line brushing include Shetland sheepdogs, Havanese, Alaskan malamute, border collies and Australian shepherds.

  1. Definition

    • Line brushing is a precise process that involves pulling apart and brushing the hairs of a dog's undercoat. With this brushing, it is important to refrain from ever tugging on the coat, as it can very easily cause pain for your dog. The purpose of the process is to eliminate tangles and get rid of any extra hair on the undercoat, particularly in the stomach and chest areas, which can be very prone to knotting problems.

    Process

    • To line brush a dog, carefully place it on its side over a flat surface such as a table. Make sure to do so in a smooth manner so that it doesn't experience any injury to its head, hips or ribs. Divide its coat up into sections and brush small segments at a time, working the way its hair naturally grows. Use a metal pin brush. Move from the lower part of the dog (around the tail's base) to the upper back. By the shoulders, brush back its coat to establish a line that goes alone perfectly with its spine.

    Caution

    • As you line brush a dog, be cautious and ensure that you are holding the pin brush in a flat manner. Doing so at an angle can be painful to the dog and can also cause scratching and irritation to the coat.

    Appearance

    • Line brushing doesn't only give your dog's coat a tidy and meticulous appearance, but it also helps it look fluffy and soft. If you are aiming to give your dog a soft and cuddly look (like a teddy bear), line brushing can make a big difference.

    Misting

    • If your dog has a lot of knotting and tangling over its coat, lightly mist its hair with water before brushing. The slight moisture can help make removing heavy knotting and tangling much easier and faster. Getting rid of tangling is important, as it can lead to infections of your dog's skin.