Grooming dogs by coat type

   All dogs coats are not created equal. Understanding the coat type is the first step to knowing how to work with the coat.

To learn more check out this article in Groomer to Groomer Magazine

by  Jennifer Bishop-Jenkins, MA, ICMG, PGC, CCE . Jennifer has a great laminated grooming by coat type chart called the "15 coat types". It is perfect to have in the busy grooming salon as a quick reference guide for pet bathers and groomers.

   Unfortunately there are so many variables from dog to dog, pet parent to pet parent, and groomer to groomer that a set of rules can never apply. While there are die hard enthusiasts that will preach that there is only one way, you will quickly learn to just groom the dog that is in front of you.

   I have seen very confused pet parents, who want to do their best, asking me to hand strip their rescued Terrier (who is spayed and has been clipped for years), because it's the right way to groom their breed. But it's not right for their individual dog.

• Flat coats: These need to be carded once a week. The pet parent needs to do the homework for the dog to maintain his coat. Blow drying straight from the tub and toweling helps the coat to dry flat. Some of  these, such as English Cockers, require more intense stripping.
• Broken Wire Hair: Dogs who are stripped need to be maintained. Pet parents get excited to learn that some of these dogs only need to be groomed 2 x a year. This article gives you an idea of what to expect when stripping out a blown coat on a broken hair dog. There is a booklet called "Grooming the Broken Hair Terrier" that is fantastic.
• Rolling a wire coat: The timing of the work varies from breed to breed. Some dogs like Cairn Terriers can have the top 3rd removed once a month, while the Wire Fox Terrier can be worked on many hours per week. 
• Long drop coats: When I am in charge of a long drop coat, I wash, condition, dry, and comb the dog every 5 days to prevent matting. Some pet parents think taking the dog to the groomer every week or two is sufficient. That extra few days is often when the mats settle in.

   This is precisely why most pet groomers do not and can not offer these services as a whole. Groomers who educate themselves will be able to provide these services for dedicated pet parents who do their homework.  This is why this site is both for groomers and pet parents. My goal is to give people the tools they need to care for dogs coats in a manner that suits the individual. 

   Ultimately, we need to have the training and skill to groom these dogs correctly, the discernment to know when to use other options, and the resources to educate those who must do the day to day or week to week maintenance of the coat.

  These techniques are not just for purebreds, they are for any dog with these coat types. I am creating videos to help the everyday pet groomer and pet parent to care for these coat types on everyday dogs.

Coming soon! 

• Groomer Resources: Tools links by Coat Types for both maintenance and grooming!
• Pet Parent Resources : Homework information on how to care for each different coat type, with tools links.

This coat type should never be clipped or hand scissored. Any clipping or trimming can cause permanent skin and coat damage such as alopecia. Learn more about this in this "Groomer to Groomer" article by  Jennifer Bishop-Jenkins, MA, ICMG, PGC, CCE