Grooming Long Haired Dachshunds - By: Lea Mullins

Dachshunds are elegant creatures, their short legs and elongated bodies make them quite a recognizable breed. This dog breed has a wide variety of colors, the most dominant of which is red along with black, tan, chocolate, silver, or cream. They come in one solid color, dappled or a combination of any two or three colors mentioned. Dachshunds come in three coat varieties; short-haired, wire-haired and the long-haired dachshunds. When it comes to dog grooming, the long-haired variety poses the most challenge and requires more special attention from their owners.

Long haired Dachshunds need dog grooming regularly; they have soft, shiny, slightly wavy hair, which flags at the bottom, creating a dust sweeper effect. They have a fluffy, fine undercoat that is quite prone to shedding. The hair growth in their ears, their paws have thick hair and the undersides of their tail also tend to be longer and create a flag. This can easily get mopped and tangled if not given regular brushing and combing.

Shedding can be controlled by regular brushings once every two days, especially during the warmer months when the amount of hair shed tends to be more than during the winter. During colder months, when the dachshunds’ winter coat sets in, owners can relax a little and have brushings done once or twice a week. More than a chore, dog grooming and brushing can also be a bonding moment for you and your dog, plus it is also great for their health, increasing blood flow to the skin.

For some Dachshunds, combing can be a delightful experience; however there are also those who might be unpleasantly surprised by it and struggle. When this happens, you need to be patient and persistent, juts the same as when you are training your dog to learn tricks. Organize your dog’s grooming schedule and make a routine, pretty much like how you would do it for a child. Have a designated place where you can groom your dog, whether it is a counter top, kitchen table or his very own grooming station. Have all the materials that you need, readily spread out for easy access, such as metal combs, soft-bristle brushes, hair clips, bathing products and a blow dryer.

Start your dog grooming with a clean slate by making sure that your dachshund is properly bathed and preferable has a trimmed hair. You can have this done at a dog salon, since trimming hair requires a lot of experience and skill. If you prefer to do this on your own, start by bathing your dog in lukewarm water with a mild shampoo designed for dogs. After bathing, wrap them in a towel and use a blow dryer to make sure that he is completely dry including the undercoat. Once this is done, you can trim stray hairs, but do not over do it. Trimming your long-hair is entirely up to you, there are owners who like to give their dachshunds hair cuts, while some kennel clubs oppose to the idea. Once your dog is clean and trimmed, you can brush his hair in sections, untangle with a slick brush or metal comb, securing the rest with hair clips and continue brushing until it gives a healthy shine. Aside from paring attention to his coat, make sure that his ear area as well as his paws and nails are maintained as well. For dachshunds, dog grooming is not just a means to be pretty; it also helps prevent several health concerns.

About the Author

Lea Mullins, a dog lover, has discussed the needs of Grooming a long haired Dachshunds. Visit TrainPetDog.com to learn more about dog grooming.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Lea-Mullins/73521

Additional Articles From - Home | Home & family | Pets