Tips on Dog Grooming Styles

Every dog has his own personality, just as every dog owner does. It is only natural for dog owners to want their four-legged companions to look as good as possible, and there are plenty of specialty grooming products designed to make dogs look their best. From brushes made for use on specific coat types to shampoos designed to bring out the natural colors of dogs' coats, pet-supply manufacturers offer myriad products that allow dog owners to pamper their pets.

  1. Know Your Breed Standard

    • If you own a purebred dog and plan to enter her in dog shows or just want her to have the traditional look for her breed, it is critical that you become familiar with the grooming standards for your breed. Each breed has its own specific characteristics and grooming requirements, which are detailed in the breed's official written standard. If you want to be successful in the show ring, you will need to make sure that your dog's coat conforms to the requirements set forth in her breed's standard.

      The American Kennel Club (AKC) website (see Resources below) is a good place for dog owners and potential dog-show participants to find information on their breeds. The official AKC breed standard for each AKC-recognized breed can be found on the site, and there are links to breed clubs, where owners can find more information on how to properly groom their dogs.

    Caring for the Coat

    • It is important to choose a style for your dog that is both pleasing to the eye and easy to care for. Coat maintenance is an important consideration, especially for longhaired breeds or those with complicated clips. It is important for dog owners to brush their dogs daily to keep coats of any length looking their best, but long coats will need more attention to remove mats and tangles. This daily grooming will also help dog owners spot any bruises, bumps, fleas or other skin or coat problems. Dogs whose hair is clipped into a specific style should be trimmed as needed to keep the cut looking sharp.

    Show versus Pet

    • If you do not plan to show your pet, you may want to opt for a style that is easier to care for versus a cut that would bring home a blue ribbon in the show ring. Show styles certainly look wonderful, especially if you use a talented doggie stylist, but those high-class styles can also be high-maintenance. Without the proper daily grooming, the dog could quickly end up looking shaggy and unkempt. It is important for owners of non-show dogs to evaluate how much time they will have for daily maintenance and grooming and then make their grooming decisions accordingly. Some breeds of dog, like Poodles and Yorkshire Terriers, must be highly groomed for the show ring, but those fancy styles may not be so perfect for life around the home. On the other end of the spectrum, many shorthaired breeds--like Pugs and Labrador Retrievers--are groomed much the same whether they are lying on the living room couch or trotting around the show ring.

    Grooming Products

    • It is important to invest in some basic grooming tools no matter what type of dog you have. A hard bristle brush, a soft bristle brush and a good solid comb are staples of many grooming kits. A quality shampoo and conditioner is very important as well. After all, a clean coat is the first step in the grooming process. By having grooming items on hand, you can give your dog routine touchups anytime they are needed, supplemented by the help of a professional groomer if your dog's coat requires it.