Grooming

Grooming Airedales

Dog grooming is one of your dog’s basic needs and an important part of dog ownership.

 

Just like people, dogs need physical maintenance to look and feel their best. Fortunately, dogs do not need to bathe as often as people, but you do need to learn how much grooming your dog actually needs and keep it on a schedule. Generally, a dog’s grooming needs depend on the breed and hair type. If your dog has a skin, ear or nail condition, follow your veterinarian’s instructions regarding grooming your dog. It is also important to use the appropriate grooming tools. Here are some dog grooming basics to remember:

 

Most dogs enjoy being brushed, and sessions will strengthen the bond with your dog while maintaining a healthy coat. A dog’s minimum brushing needs depend on hair type. Choose the right tools and follow these guidelines.

 

Regardless of hair type, you can brush your dog daily – especially if he enjoys it. More frequent brushing during shedding season can help prevent hair build-up and excess shedding. Consider products like the FURminator deShedding tool or the Bamboo Shedding Blade.

 

Bath time does not mean fun to most dogs and owners.

It may bring forth an image of a wet dog running from the tub, dripping all over the house. minds. Bathing does not have to be this way if your dog can get used to it. He may not like the bath, but he’ll be easier to manage. Learn how to bathe your dog properly and make the experience as positive as you can for you and your dog.

 

Most dogs should be bathed monthly, but bathing as often as once a week is not considered harmful. Always use a soap-free shampoo that is intended for dogs. Depending on the condition of your dog’s skin and coat, your veterinarian may recommend a specific shampoo. In this case, be sure to follow your veterinarian’s instructions about bathing. Then they are introduced to water as they are now starting to maintain their own body temperatures.

 

Your dog’s ears can be a haven for bacteria and yeast if not kept clean. Some dogs can go their whole lives without ear problems, and the only routine ear cleaning needed is during the monthly bath. Other dogs have chronic ear disease and require multiple cleanings a day

 

Grooming tips for Airedale Terriers

 

1. Most Airedales have a wiry coat but some have a soft coat. The soft coat tends to tangle and matt much more easily especially if the dog gets wet. Wiry coated Airedales may be reasonably groomed every 6 to 10 weeks under normal circumstances but soft-coated Airedales are best groomed every 6 to 8 weeks.

 

2.”Hand stripping” as opposed to clipper and scissor styling is a specialized skill. Do not expect all professional groomers to be skilled hand strippers. We encourage the pet owner desiring the hand strip technique to enquire about the groomer’s skill level and experience with hand stripping the Airedale. Some groomers choose not to hand strip because repeated application can be wearing on their hands and wrists, and some lack training in the procedure. A few may say, “I don’t care to put dog’s through the longer grooming of having to strip by hand.” Owners should expect to pay substantially more for hand stripping compared to alternative clipping and scissoring styling. A skilled Terrier groomer can create a beautiful styling without any hand stripping but it would not be appropriate for a show Airedale.

 

3. Like many other mid to long coated breeds hair shed can and often does remain in the under coat until it is removed by proper brushing and combing. Hair shed not removed will, with time or immediately upon getting damp or wet, begin to “tangle” and “matt” whereby the hair shed both wraps and compresses around the existing hair coat. We recommend hair shed and matts be removed before bathing the Airedale, and that it only be hand fluff-dried with a professional force blow dryer. Your type of bathing and drying equipment will affect the way in which you groom the Airedale. Experienced groomers may choose to leave some of the hair shed and matt removal until after the bath, and apply special coat conditioning products to ease matt removal.

 

4. Airedale owners are strongly recommended to use the services of a professional groomer for exceptional results whether they desire show grooming or non-show grooming. The “smart” look of a well-groomed Airedale requires grooming and styling training.

 

5. Maintenance grooming is minimal but increases with soft-coated Airedale Terriers. Check the ears weekly.

 

6.Thinning shears can come in very handy for most Airedale Terrier cuts (often hand stripped for show) using clipper and scissors. Stray hairs on the top of the muzzle are prime for thinning shears, instead of clipping with a blade.