Many pet owners will agree that one of the things I hate most Pet Grooming cut their dog or cat is to be defined. It can be difficult to get her nails cut just the right length so that the animal does not scratch the furniture, floor, or in other areas of your home. But yes you do not cut too short and your pet pain and discomfort. In addition, you also want to ensure that no logs or leaves sharp edges on the nails so that the cut is oftenaccompanied by the presentation. Most pets just do not have the patience for this, the only one on headache. Fortunately, there is PediPaws Pet Nail Trimmer will not find a fast, easy and sweet to the total of your pet's nails.

Does it work?

It worked great for my company and me. Of course you can not do this, inadvertently your money on a product that is a rejection to occur, and you do not wish pain on your pet with a product with a poor design to inflict. The PediPawsPet Nail Trimmer, however, offers an innovative design that offers fast and effective, that the claws of your pet leaving a perfect, comfortable length. The design ensures your pet is not suffering, and also leaves your nails smooth and rounded, so you do not have to mess with the cutting and polishing. The result is less stress for your pet, less work for you, and your nails cut so as not to damage flooring, furniture, and other parts of your home!

Are you readyGive it a try?

After reading the great design PediPaws pet nail trimmer, you will probably want to test myself now and enjoy the benefits. This product offers an easy way to get this nagging fear full health pet. When you buy the product, remember that you want to order from the website of the company lead. The company's website is the only place where you get a free bonus gift that can shed is finished. This bonus giftYou fight the other bad part of owning a pet – shed!

Large breed dogs pose special grooming dilemmas. The Great Pyrenees and other Bernard family members have cornered the market on that special combination of girth and hair. Without a regimented grooming routine the Pyrenees? flowing white locks can easily morph, soon resembling an electrocuted Komondor on steroid.

One obstacle to keeping large breeds in the peek of beauty is the difficulty in locating nail clippers, brushes and dental supplies suited to their substantial size. Substitution will have to be made. Still, with a little ingenuity grooming is a snap.

Body Brushing Combing out the Great Pyrenees is a challenge. The high-stung nature of the breed makes them tend to wiggle around during grooming. In fact, these stealth dogs are apt to sprint off if not restrained, sometimes moving up to three centimeters in a single afternoon.

Your best bet for body brushing or raking is to work on your pet while he is asleep. Avoid active times such as 6:00 to 6:03 a.m. and the 30 minutes after sunset Pyrenees? devote solely to barking. This breed is known to sleep with its eyes open. When stalking them with grooming tools be cautious. Once you are with in 65 feet of your dog, listen for a train. This verifies your dog is snoring.

Work efficiently once you begin grooming a Great Pyrenees. You may only have 13 hours before he wakes up. When grooming 140 lbs. of fur bonded together by drool and the occasional tree branch, you must not dally. A weed eater is an efficient option for quickly working your way through the shrubs to the actual hair prior to brushing.

Nail Clipping Clipping your Pyrenees?s claws should be a regular part of your grooming routine. Before beginning this procedure head for the hardware store. Pick up a large metal rasp and bolt cutters. Once claws have been neatly trimmed call in HAZMAT to remove the clippings from your home. Don?t forget the dewclaws.

Great Pyrenees? have a multitude of extra toes just kinda ?hangin? out? on their lower legs. Hiding amongst them are a total of six massive curly toenails. Each is so large it makes a valosaraptor claw look like a minute droplet of Chihuahua snot. Don?t let the dewclaws go unattended more than a few weeks. Negligence will yield a clipping big enough to be used as a spiral staircase.

Dental Care Dog owners often overlook the importants of good oral hygiene. Fortunately, in the Bernard breeds, their mouths offer plenty of room to work in. Take advantage of this trait. You can create ample access to the mouth by simply pulling their massive floppy lips up from both sides of the face. Then, use three clothespins to secure them to one another across the bridge of the nose. You may also secure a single lip to the opposing ear in a similar fashion.

Once the teeth are exposed insert a shop vac tube under your dogs tongue. This technique is identical to that of the ?spit sucker? used in a dental offices. A fifteen-gallon vac should suffice. Once the shop vac is fired up the Great Pyrenees will start to awaken. You will have about two hours to completely remove large pieces of sod stored along the gum line before your dog hits full cognitive thought. At this point he?ll eat the vacuum prior to falling back asleep.

As a final touch, clean you canine?s feet. Shinny up between the pads with a flashlight, some pliers and a bottle of WD 40. Remove stones, dried bats, milk carton children and anything else not belonging up there. Once this task is done your grooming regiment is complete. Wake your dog by simple uttering the word ?cookie.? By the time you get to ?coo? every Great Pyrenees in a six mile radius will be in your kitchen.

With a little work and a few trips to Home Depot, your Great Pyrenees, Saint Bernard or Newfoundland will glow with beauty. When you combine all this glamour with their high intelligence and magnetic personalities, your dog will be the envy of the neighborhood.

Zoologist turned satirist Nola L. Kelsey is the author of the scathingly wicked satire Bitch Unleashed: The Harsh Realities of Goin? Country (September 05). She is also the owner of Samuel the Great Pyrenees, who plays primary character in her book and in her life. Excerpts from Bitch Unleashed and subscriptions to Kelsey?s newsletter are available on her web site, http://www.NolaKelsey.com

Now that you have decided that a dog should definitely occupy space in your future, there is some preparation that needs to be done. Too often dog owners don’t check out the details, and make irresponsible choices by selecting a dog that is totally wrong for them. Consequently a time that should be happy and joyful ends up being a sad and stressful experience for the owner, as well as the dog. As a result of these incorrect choices man of these dogs often end up in a shelter for simply doing what he or she was bred to do.

There is a large selection of dogs to choose from, and not only do they vary in color as well as in size, there are a multitude of temperaments as well. Fortunately because dog ownership is on the rise, the available resources to enable you to make a responsible decision are abundantly available. Bookstores have several dog breed books that offer a wealth of information . There is usually a picture of each breed and a short description as well. The description will often list any negative qualities as well as the positive. For instance, some terriers, not all of course, are prone to digging. They were bred to hunt vermin which entails digging. If you are someone who is adamant on having an impeccable lawn and garden, perhaps some of these terriers would not be right for you.

There are several websites that also offer information pertaining to the individual breeds. Some sites even have a questionnaire for you to complete to help narrow your search for a dog that would fit your lifestyle. The usual questions such as size and color are simple to answer, but there are more detailed areas that specifically ask such things as how much time do you want to spend on grooming? or how much time do you have for exercise? or is shedding a concern?. These are important issues that need to be honestly addressed. Are you looking for a dog that you can fuss with indefinitely for ongoing grooming, or are you someone that barely has enough time to comb your own hair? Are you a person that walks two or three miles daily and would lika a companion for these walks, or are you someone that may or may not walk once a week, and would like a more sedate dog. Are you an immaculate housekeeper who is bothered by the least bit of dust or are you someone that’s not opposed to sweeping up dog hair when necessary? If you take the time to answer questions such as these, a good match between you and your dog is more likely to happen. People will spend days, and sometimes weeks researching and shopping before making a disposable purchase. Yet these same people will impulsively purchase a puppy because he’s cute, totally unaware of a single fact regarding his heritage. This puppy is apt to be around for many years, and still the purchase is often made without checking on any of the details.

Once you do decide what type of dog is right for you, you will need to find a responsible breeder. Don’t hesitate to ask that breeder questions regarding any concerns that you may have. Discuss the normal traits of that breed, ask for references, and get the details regarding any guarantee. A responsible breeder is more that happy to discuss any of your concerns because they want to be sure that one of their dogs is the right dog for you.

Perhaps your lifestyle is more conducive to an adult dog rather that a puppy. This is something that only you can decide. There are many nice dogs, and sometimes puppies too at the different rescue groups. You should check these places out. These organizations are usually overflowing with some very nice animals, and your adoption could spare another life. Many of these dogs are there through no fault of their own. Their owners just realized all too late that this was not a good match, simply because they didn’t take the time to Detail the Dog.

The fact is that most of us horse lovers don’t groom our horses properly. This could be due to lots of things – time, motivation, circumstances etc. What we need to realise is that time with our horse is bonding time. Remember that in the wild, horses groom each other and that’s the basis for their relationships with each other. If we don’t take the trouble to groom our horses properly, then we can’t expect to forge the bonds we want between us and if this doesn’t happen then we can’t expect the partnership benefits we look for either. If we take the time, if we have the patience, if we use the right techniques AND the right products, then we’ll forge a bond of trust between us and our horses that will last forever.

Domesticated horses rely on humans to provide the opportunity for skin care, unlike the wild horse where they have the opportunity to groom each other! Grooming should be incorporated into the daily routine of owning and managing your horse to maintain its health and happiness. This practice increases the circulation to the skin, releasing necessary oils that promote a vibrant and lustrous coat. Daily grooming allows the coat to be shed gradually, easing the burden of trying to remove long hair and excess dead skin. A horse that is worked regularly should be thoroughly and properly groomed at all times.

Grooming not only allows us to give our horses a shiny, short, healthy coat, it also gives us the opportunity to go over our beautiful animals from head to toe, to notice any abnormalities such as cuts, wounds, irritations, fevers that your horse may have developed. The H-10 product range for first aid, H-10 Ointment and Spray is perfect to treat these problems.

Stages Of Grooming part 3

Rugging & Rugs.

Rugging – Horses should be rugged according to their environment, season, level of work, feeding patterns and whether they are stabled or kept in a paddock. Rugging practices must be taken into account when you are caring for the health and happiness of your horse.

Poor rugging practices create a source of discomfort for your horse and can often be cruel. An owner may not see it as intentional act, however keeping your horse rugged all the time, irrespective of temperature changes can be highly irresponsible, i.e. leaving heavy weight rugs on in winter temperatures that are still in the mid twenties! Horses are mammals, and all mammals to remain healthy must be able to maintain their body temperature within a narrow range to avoid metabolic problems. Certainly they can feel the cold like us; however they compensate for this by growing a coat in winter and then fluffing it if necessary, so trapping air to create extra warmth. But horses can also get very hot!

Horses, like us humans sweat to keep themselves cool. However, the evaporative cooling effects of sweating won?t work effectively if a horse has a rug on. Overheating can lead to issues such as Heat Stress if your horse or horses cannot lose enough body heat due to impeding rugs. This in turn can lead to health problems such as dehydration, loss of electrolytes, lack of Vitamin D and possibly even to an inability to sweat! Therefore, if you feel hot so too will your horse!

Do not try and substitute grooming for rugging and always take a practical and sensible approach to rugging! Good feed and hard work along with this sensible approach to rugging will assist you and your horse maintain a healthy coat throughout the year. Remember, rugging is no substitute for adequate food in keeping your paddocked horse in top condition in winter, or in giving horses in work greater performance.

Rugs & Rug Types ? A good horse rug should fit properly and be suitably lined on the shoulders to avoid rubbing. There is an array of rugs ranging from heavy canvas to ultra lightweight cotton or satin fly sheets. A standard canvas paddock rug is waterproof and lined. Lighter fabrics can be used for paddocks and can be bought as a rip stop product. Quilted and fibre filled rugs are also available and price will always reflect quality! Tail and neck pieces on some rugs are added for protection and warmth. Wool or wool/synthetic mixtures are used for stable rugs or blankets.

Hoods also come in a variety of materials for both paddock use and stable use. They should also be used sensibly and fitted accordingly to the horse?s size, and should be secured properly to the rug.

This is part 3 of the course and we hope that you’ve enjoyed it.

This course is co-written by Geoff Roberts & Michael Glenn who run H-10 Australia, a company specialising in the supply of quality horse grooming & associated products. http://www.h-10.com.au If you want to sample a chapter from the life of a world famous horse trainer and learn some of his secrets for free go here: http://www.h-10.com.au/beery/index.htm

It would be impossible to count how many times each summer a professional groomer hears this question. Here in rural Montana where the summers are scorching, I have had requests to shave almost every breed imaginable. It is a common misconception that all dogs would automatically be cooler if they had less hair.

First it is important to consider is what type of hair the dog has. All dogs can basically be divided into two groups. First we have those who need to have their cut on a regular basis, such as poodles, shih tzus, cocker spaniels, lhasa apsos, terriers, etc. Dogs in this group have hair that would continue growing longer and longer until it was cut. These breeds can be shaved with no problem. Taking off excess coat by shaving them down in hot weather will indeed make them more comfortable and cooler, and will not cause damage to the dog?s coat. However, this is not the case with the second group.

This group of dogs consists of all the other breeds, longhaired or shorthaired, whose hair grows to one length only and then remains that length. These dogs typically shed much more than dogs in the first group. These include retrievers, pomeranians, great Pyranees, chow chows, pugs, German shepherds, huskies, and the list goes on and on. Their coats act as insulators against the elements, and should never be shaved. After all, do you take the insulation out of your home in the summer to make it cooler? Absolutely not, and the same goes for these dogs as well.

The coats of the dogs in the second group consist of two different types of hair, a soft, downy undercoat, and harsher, thicker hairs called guard hairs. These two types of hairs are actually designed to mat and tangle up to form a hard shell or pelt around the animal to keep their temperature regulated in extreme weather. Without proper brushing and grooming on a regular basis, this often happens, leading the owner to the false conclusion that the coat needs to be shaved off to make the dog cooler. However, shaving the hair off of these dogs takes away their insulation from the heat, actually making these dogs hotter and more uncomfortable. Shaving also makes them more susceptible to sunburn as well.

It is important to understand that if you make the decision to go ahead and shave these types of dogs anyway, their hair will never be the same again. Shaving will change the coat forever. Not only does the hair grow back in extremely slowly, but also it grows back in much softer and sparse. The color of the coat will be different too, as the hair will be at least two shades lighter than it was before.

One of the worst things about shaving a dog with this type of hair is that the dog can develop what we call clipper alopecia. In simple terms, it just means that the hair does not grow back. This is caused by a change in the guard hairs when they are cut. Clipper alopecia usually develops first in a patch on the dog?s back, located right in front of the tail. After shaving, only thin layer of hair will grow back there, usually reaching a maximum length of about one half of an inch. Dogs that develop this condition have coats that appear to be moth-eaten. This is not an attractive site.

Okay, so what happens if you do have a dog that is matted to the skin and appears to be too hot in this balmy weather? Seek the advice of a properly trained groomer to determine the best course of action. With the many miracle grooming products that are out there on the market, many times these coats can be saved with a couple of intense grooming sessions and some effort in daily grooming from the owner. This optimizes the dog?s coat to perform its insulating tasks properly. Occasionally, the coat truly is beyond repair and does in fact have to be shaved to start over. Your groomer can help you with this decision and give you pointers on how to avoid this situation in the future.

It is important to note that if you have a mixed breed dog, it can be difficult to determine which group the dog falls into. Most groomers can evaluate a dog?s coat upon inspection to let you know which group the dog falls into, and what course of action to take, the risks involved, etc.

As a former professional groomer, I strongly feel that it is the groomer’s responsibility to fully explain these things to clients wanting to have their dogs shaved. It is important to share knowledge with the clients to make the best decision possible for the pet in need of grooming.

? Shannon Lynnes Heggem (2006) Shannon Lynnes Heggem is a motivational speaker with a strong background in the pet care industry. In the 1990′s, she established an upscale pet resort in Montana, and then founded the Fast Track Institute of Pet Careers, a vocational school focused on pet-related careers.

Shannon quickly became one of the top experts in the pet care industry. She was the first Certified Master Groomer in Montana, and went on to become a Certified Kennel Operator; only four people in the world actually hold both of these certification titles!

She amazingly survived a vicious Rottweiler attack in 1998, and since then has overcome incredible obstacles to continue her life’s journey. Shannon has just launched a revolutionary new seminar series Learning About Pets Program focused on teaching pet owners vital knowledge to enhance their pets? vitality, health, and well-being! http://learningaboutpets.com/

Before I discuss the tricks used to remove matts on your dog I must emphasize a few things If your dog is badly matted or the matts are close to the skin I strongly recommend you take your dog to a professional to have him groomed. I also recommend a professional if your dog is elderly or can not tolerate being brushed.

Having said that let’s talk matts. There are certain areas of your dog that I would not recommend de-matting. Some dog groomers refer to them as the sensitive areas. They are located between the back legs, under the armpits, on the belly, and under the tail. These areas I would recommend that you clip with a #10 or #15 blade. One of the most common areas for a dog to matt is around and behind the ear. This happens because this is the most popular petting spot. The area behind the ear has very thin skin and can be very hazardous to de-matt. If gentle brushing does not remove the matt you can cut the length of the matt in half and try again to brush it out. To make sure you do not cut your dogs ear try holding the matt with your finger tips at the skin and then cut the matt in half. Now try gentle brushing. If this still does not remove the matt it may be time to use clippers.

Matts can occur anywhere on your dog. One way to remove them is to take a pair of scissors and put the blade between the skin and the matt. With the sharp side away from the skin you can either use a sawing motion to cut through the matt or you can simply cut it in several places parallel to the direction of hair growth. Try again to brush the matt out.
There are several de-matting combs on the market. All of these work well but you should be careful when using them. Take the de-matting comb and comb it under the matted area. When it catches a matt, use a sawing motion to cut through the matt. Try to limit the pulling motion because most dogs do not like it.

If your dogs tail has matts you can use either method above to remove them. Before cutting the tail try to gently brush it out. If the matts are too extensive, either cut through the matts parallel to the direction of hair growth and then attempt to brush them out or shorten the entire length of the tail. Simply hold the tip of your dogs tail and shorten the entire length by cutting parallel with the tail. If the matts are hanging from the tail in different places you should be cutting them in half with this method. When you have removed all the matts from the tail and after you have bathed and dried him you can go back and even up any long hair.

If you are uncertain about shaving the sensitive areas, the pads of the feet or shaving matts from around the ears, some grooming shops will shave just these areas for a small fee.

During any dog grooming session you should praise your dog but especially while brushing them. Most dogs do not like to be brushed and they need the added reinforcement when they are tolerating it.

Katherine Durr has been a professional dog groomer for over 17 years and is the author of How to Groom your Mutt. Visit her website at Doggie Dews

Most dogs handle their own grooming needs. But, you can offer a helping hand as necessary. If you do this, you will have many benefits to it. For example, it helps the two of you to bond. And, it allows for you to catch diseases or other health problems that can affect your pet. Cant get your dog to sit still long enough? Then, do a small portion of her each day. Eventually she will enjoy it and allow you to do it easily.

Dogs use licking, shaking and scratching to stay clean. If you brush them, you can help the fur to stay clean and unmated. Some dogs that have longer hair will require this attention daily. Others who have shorter hair can be brushed just once a week. Most dogs will enjoy the brushing. Others will not right off the bat. In order to help this process, use the brush in a small amount while talking soothingly to her. Afterwards, give her a treat for being good. Add a little more time on each time.

Dark specs on the skin can be fleas. In order to check for these types of problems, run your hands down here coat as you brush her. If you see quite a bit of black flecks, which are flea dropping, then you need to seek help for your animal right away. You may also notice rice like debris near her tail. These are a sign that the dog has worms. Again, you need to take your pet to the vet in this case as they will need treatment.

Just like you, your pet needs her teeth brushed daily. You can do this using a child sized toothbrush or just a finger toothbrush that is designed for your pet. The paste that you use should be one designed for dogs only. Your toothpaste can seriously make your dog ill. To help keep dogs teeth in tip top shape, give them rawhide chews to gnaw on. This helps keep teeth as well as gums healthy.

Youll need to do other types of grooming as well, but not as frequently. You should check ears and nails weekly or monthly. Look into your dogs ears. If you see small, black/brown specks, this can be ear mites. For nails, walks that are given on sidewalks as well as in the driveway can help to wear them down. Make sure, though, that the nails are not too long. You can learn from your vet the proper way to trim them to help the dog to stay healthy and to walk correctly. You should not trim them without getting some training though.

Best Pet Health Information brings you tips, news, recommendations and reviews of dog grooming and health products to keep you and your dog happy and healthy. Dog News Center publishes news and articles about dogs and puppies.

http://www.best-pet-health.info. This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and live links are included intact.

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If your dog is an important part of your life, you will want to provide the best of care for her so she can enjoy a long and rewarding life. A trip or two each year to your veterinary clinic does not guarantee that your loyal canine will maintain her healthy appearance and youthful spirit. It is you, the dog’s owner, who can make the difference between your dog living a long, full life or one of physical disease and health problems.

Many dogs are treated like they are immune from common heath problems – they are NOT! They suffer many of the same health issues that afflict humans; teeth and gum disease, ear infections, toe nail problems, and hair issues, just to name a few.

Well, don’t get discouraged, because a few simple and easy grooming practices can help you prevent the premature aging of your pet. Basic personal dog grooming is the key to early recognition of skin and tumor issues, dental problems, and mobility difficulties.

To help you establish a regular dog grooming regimen, the following tips are provided covering five key areas; brushing, bathing, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and dental hygiene.

Brushing Your Dog

Brushing, or grooming, your dog is a great time for bonding with her and providing the physical contact that all dogs desire. This practice promotes a lustrous shine on the dog’s coat, whiling eliminating dirt, debris, and dead fur.

This is also the perfect opportunity to examine your dog’s skin for fleas and ticks, lumps, cuts, or contusions. And while you’re at it, take a moment and examine her ears, eyes, teeth and nails.

Bathing Your Dog

Here is the good news – most dogs only need bathing once a month, unless she likes to play in the rain and mud. If she does get dirty on a regular basis, adjust your bathing schedule accordingly.

A prerequisite to bathing is a good brushing. This loosens up any dead hair or dirt and makes the bathing process much more productive. A good practice is to start bathing your dog as young as possible. Generally start when she is about 14-15 weeks old, or earlier, if they tend to get into messy situations.

Find a good location to bathe your dog, preferably one that is contained and has good drainage. Undoubtedly, water will be spilled or shaken near and far. An enclosed shower or tub is an ideal location, or if your dog is a smaller breed, the kitchen sink can also work.

Wet your dog thoroughly, avoiding her head to keep water out of her eyes and ears. Plug your dog’s ears with cotton balls if there is a risk of flooding the ears. Use a dog shampoo and lather up the dog. Be sure to rinse thoroughly and squeeze off the excess water. The face should be washed with a soft, damp cloth. Towel dry your dog, and blow dry if desired, but it is best to keep her confined until dry.

Trimming Nails

Nail trimming can be a traumatic experience for some dogs. So, it is best to start the nail trimming experience as early as 2-3 months old to let your dog become accustomed to the practice. For puppies, you can often use finger nail clippers to tip the ends of the nails.

If this is just too much for your dog or puppy to handle all in one sitting, you may start with trimming only one paw at a time, giving your dog an extended break between sessions. The key to successful nail trimming is providing your dog lots of praise when she lets you cut a nail. Kind, soothing words of praise will let her know that she is loved and this experience is nothing to fear. Of course, a few dog treats after the session is over can’t hurt either.

Cleaning Ears

Inspect your dog’s ears often, but only clean them when there is evidence of dirt in the opening or canal. Use a cotton ball, never a cotton swab, to clean the dirt out of the ear. Soaking the cotton ball with a good ear cleaning solution provides the best results. Hydrogen peroxide can be substituted for the cleaning solution, if necessary.

If you notice that the dog’s ears are red, swollen, or emit a foul smell, the problem might be more serious and demand veterinary attention. Yeast infections, ear mites, and other ear problems are more easily treated by medications only available from your vet.

Keeping a Bright Smile

As a dog’s life span has been extended over the years, it is even more imperative that your dog maintain healthy teeth and gum tissue. You can assist her by brushing her teeth regularly. Start as early in life as possible, to get your dog accustomed to the feel of your finger or brush in her mouth.

Starting with your finger, or a special dog toothbrush fitted for your fingertip, begin massaging your dog’s gums and gently rubbing her teeth. Once she has become accustomed to the practice, try using a dog toothbrush, or small soft bristled human toothbrush, with dog-specific toothpaste. Never use toothpaste designed for humans on your dog.

Continuing this practice throughout your dog’s life will ensure that she will avoid gum disease, loose teeth, and related eating problems.

These easy-to-follow grooming tips take very little time compared to the years of enjoyment your dog will provide you and your family. Take care of your loving best friend and she will certainly return the favor many times over!

Bill Wilcox is a long time dog owner and experienced trainer. He is an avid author of dog care articles and writes for superior-dog-supplies.com and smart-dog-training.com. For more information visit: http://www.superior-dog-supplies.com
http://www.smart-dog-training.com

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Whether you intend to show your Westie, or keep him for a household pet, the first key to West Highland Terrier grooming is to start while he is a puppy.

Take your Westie to his first groomer appointment after he has had all of his shots, at approximately 14 weeks. Acclimate your dog to the grooming process, and he will grow to accept it as part of his natural routine. If you intend to groom your dog at home, give him his first clipping at around the same age.

West Highland Terrier grooming, whether performed at home or by a groomer, should be performed with the dog’s safety and comfort as the first considerations. Be aware of the practices used by your groomer, and be sure to remain with your dog until you are convinced that he is safe.

Contact your local Westie Club to find a reputable groomer. If you intend to show your dog, you will want to be sure that your groomer knows what a Westie cut looks like. It is not unusual for owners to find that their Westie has come home from a grooming looking like a Schnauzer or a Scottish Terrier. If you are uncertain, bring photographs to your first groomer visit.

Although you might think that, after safety, your first consideration is price, how to groom your Westie is your next decision. A show dog must be hand stripped to give the dog its Westie look – round head, carrot-shaped tail, and blended skirt.

Hand stripping involves actually pulling hairs. When they grow back, they tend to be straighter and coarser. Many claim that a hand stripped Westie coat sheds dirt, allowing the dog to go longer between baths. Hand stripping is not necessary for a Westie that is kept as a pet, and a regular clipping from your groomer, or at home, is all that your dog needs. A clipped Westie coat will be softer and curlier, and more prone to staining.

Because of their white coats, staining is another problem peculiar to West Highland Terrier grooming. If the hair is white at the base, licking might be the problem, and is often triggered by cuts and abrasions, or objects lodged in the hair around the paw.

Hair that is stained down to the base may indicate a fungal or yeast infection, and your Westie should see a veterinarian. Staining around the muzzle is most often caused by the food the dog eats. Check for red food dies, or beets in the formula. If you want your Westie to attain show dog perfection, a cotton ball dipped in hydrogen peroxide, and wiped on the beard daily, will lighten and prevent the stains.

(Disclaimer: Any information contained in this site relating to various medical, health and fitness conditions of Westies or other animals and their treatments is for informational purposes only and is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own veterinarian. You should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing the health of any animal. You should always consult and check with your own vet or veterinarian.)

Jeff Cuckson
webmaster@madaboutwesties.com
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One of the most identifiable and beautiful traits of the Yorkshire Terrier breed is its long flowing silky coat. While this luxurious coat is what makes Yorkies so attractive to many dog lovers looking for the perfect family pet, it can also be a hassle to care for. But with proper grooming and attention, you can ensure that your Yorkie remains looking spiffy at all times.

The first grooming factor that you should consider before deciding to purchase a Yorkie is the fact that in addition to daily grooming, Yorkshire Terriers need to be professionally groomed on a regular basis. Yes, professional grooming can be expensive. Expect to spend anywhere from $30 to $75 per visit. If you are not in a position to afford professional grooming services or if your lifestyle is so harried that you couldn’t take the time to transport your Yorkie to and from his or her appointments, perhaps you should consider a dog breed that does not require this amount of dedication to grooming.

How often you need to take your Yorkie to the groomers will depend on how long you wish to keep his or her coat. Most show dogs have floor-length manes and require frequent grooming and combing, but some pet owners opt to have their Yorkie’s hair clipped short, which reduces the time spent grooming at home in between appointments. A good time frame to stick to is scheduling professional grooming appointments monthly for long hair and every other month for short hair.

One great thing about the Yorkie’s coat is that is does not shed and does not have an undercoat. In fact, the hair found on a Yorkie is almost identical to human hair. This is great for people with allergies and for people who can’t stand to have dog hair around the home. The downside is that the hair can become extremely long and needs an occasional clipping. The Yorkie coat can also become easily matted, and just as you comb your hair everyday, so will you have to comb your Yorkie.

When combing your Yorkie, it is best to use a wide-toothed grooming comb. Abstain from using brushes, especially natural bristle brushes, as they will break the fine hairs of the Yorkshire Terrier’s coat. Make combing your pet a part of your daily routine. By getting out snares and mattes quickly, you will avoid damaging the coat or having to cut out nasty snarls.

Another problem that requires daily attention is the tendency of the hair surrounding the anus to become matted with feces. If you take your Yorkie to the groomers regularly, this should not be much of a problem because he or she will clip the hair in this area very short and clean it thoroughly. But if left long, it can become matted and result in soreness, compacted stools and more serious health problems. In addition to regular grooming, you should check this area daily and clean or clip any mattes.

While your Yorkie is under six months in age, you should take great care to keep the hair on the top 1/3 of his or her ears clipped. Yorkshire Terrier ears are naturally erect but often go through changes during the first six months of life. By keeping the hair on the ears short, you can ensure that the ears will not become weighted down before they have a chance to set in their permanent erect position. You should also keep the hair inside the ears neatly plucked and check the ears regularly for excessive wax and ear mites.

Yorkies eyes also have a tendency to water and to be sensitive. Make sure that you keep hair clipped short around the eyes or tied in a topknot up and way from the eyes. Avoiding doing this can result in irritation and infection.

While the Yorkie does take a little more loving care than other breeds, nothing compares to the gentle, loyal love that these dogs give. On top of that, keeping your Yorkshire Terrier properly groomed gives you an opportunity to spend quality time with your pet. For many pet lovers, this is the reason that grooming is not a chore but a privilege.

By Rose Lenk
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