How to Trim a Long-Haired Dog

Regular grooming is necessary for your dog's health and well-being, although some breeds require more than a quick bath and brushing. Long-haired breeds, from the diminutive Yorkshire terrier to the elegant Afghan hound, need trims to keep their long coats manageable and free of tangles. Trimming your dog at home is an effective way to manage a long coat while saving yourself the cost of a professional grooming bill.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog shampoo and conditioner
  • Towel
  • Blow dryer
  • Pin brush
  • Dog comb
  • Shears
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Instructions

    • 1

      Bathe the dog with dog shampoo and conditioner. Long-haired dogs are prone to mats and tangles, so let the conditioner sit on the coat for 10 minutes before rinsing to soften the coat and reduce tangling.

    • 2

      Towel dry the majority of water from the dog's coat, and blow dry while brushing it with a pin brush. Brush the coat down toward the ground while running the blow dryer to straighten the coat for even trimming.

    • 3

      Hold the dog's right ear in one hand, and trim away any hair that sticks out over your fingertips. Gently fold the edges of the ear in toward each other, and snip long hairs protruding from inside the fold. Repeat with the left ear. Trimming excess ear hair helps keep the ear dry and prevent ear infections.

    • 4

      Comb the hair on the dog's cheeks and chin forward, and trim to approximately one inch in length. Keeping the hairs on the face short prevents them from falling forward and becoming caked with food while the dog eats.

    • 5

      Trim the hair between the toes and around the pads on the bottom of the feet. Hold the foot in one hand, and spread the toes with your fingers. Trim the hair as close to the skin as possible, taking care not to cut the dog. Long-haired dogs are prone to stickers and burrs between the toes, so the shorter the hair, the less likely it is to gather foreign objects.

    • 6

      Shorten the hair along the underside of the tail. Pull the tail away from the body with one hand, and trim the hairs around the anus and down the back of the dog's haunches. Short hair on the backside keeps feces from tangling in the fur.