Short Hair Dog Grooming Tools

Short-haired dogs might not look dirty because they are free of tangles and mats, but they need regular grooming just like long-haired dogs. Choose the correct tools for grooming a short-haired dog and the job will go much more smoothly. Regular brushing, at least once a week, is the key to keeping a short-haired dog's coat looking healthy.

  1. Curry Comb or Rubber Brush

    • It's best to start grooming short-haired dogs with these tools. A curry comb or rubber brush loosen dead skin cells and hair on the coat. The curry comb has short teeth, usually triangular in shape. This brush massages the skin under the coat. A grooming glove can be used in place of this tool. It slips on like a mitten and has teeth similar to the curry comb. A groomer continues to use the curry comb or grooming glove until all dead hair, dead skin cells and debris come out.

    Shedding Blades

    • This tool consists of a stiff metal loop on a handle. It has short teeth around the loop that cut shedding hair or hair that is about to shed. Shedding blades aren't always necessary. They can be used in place of a curry comb if the short-haired dog's coat gets a little shaggy, dull or spiky. Groomers can also use it before using a curry comb.

    Bristle Brush

    • A bristle brush looks like a brush for human hair. These grooming brushes usually follow the curry comb. Bristle brushes come with bristles of varying length. A medium bristle is best for short-haired dogs. Groomers use this brush to add shine to a dog's coat.

    Chamois Cloth

    • The chamois cloth gives the coat a final polish. A clean piece of flannel can also be used. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) recommends the use of damp cotton pads to clean wrinkled dogs like shar-peis and pugs. Groomers typically clean wrinkles before proceeding with other grooming tools.