How to Brush a Small Dog's Undercoat

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How to Brush a Small Dog's Undercoat

Easy

15 - 20 Minutes

1 Week

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Introduction

While most people tend to think of dogs with a thick undercoat in terms of large breeds like American Eskimo and Alaskan Malamutes, many smaller breeds also have a thick undercoat designed to keep them warm and dry. When you have a dog with a thick undercoat, grooming him takes on a whole new dimension. Yet, if you don't take the time to groom your pup's fur on a regular basis, he could end up with serious mats that need to be cut out. It is important that you learn to brush his coat properly and regularly.

Dog's Perspective

If you were to ask your pup how he felt about having you groom his undercoat, he would probably tell you that he doesn't really care one way or the other. At least, that is, until the mats get so thick that they hurt. Of course, while you are at it, you can check him over for injuries, debris and, of course, fleas.

The Comb and Brush Method

Effective

0 Votes

Slicker Brush

Pin Brush

Dematter

Comb

Step

Gather the tools you need

For a dog with an undercoat, you will need a grooming rake, a comb, a de-matting brush, a boar's hair brush or pin brush, and a bottle of puppy detangler.

Step

Rake his hair first

Grab the grooming rake or pin brush and go over his coat from one end to the other. Take your time, this is the part that is going to take the longest. Keep working to remove all tangles and mats and until his coat feels and looks nice and smooth.

Step

Slicker than…

Use a slicker brush to go over the thicker fur in areas such as his rump, tail, and underbelly.

Step

Time for a combover

If your pup has long hair on the backs of his legs, use a comb to go through it. This the best way to remove tangles and mats.

Step

One last brushing

Using the boar's hair brush, go over your pup's coat one last time to give that smooth, shiny look that makes him look so beautiful.

The De-Matter Brush Method

Effective

0 Votes

Slicker Brush

Shampoo

Pin Brush

Dematter

Comb

Step

Grab the right tools

For this method, you need a de-matting tool or brush. This brush has a built-in blade designed to cut out tough mats. The blade is protected by a retractable cover that will only expose the blades when a tough mat is encountered. Work this brush through your pup's entire coat from front to back and then from spine to belly. Take your time and let the brush do its work, removing any mats.

Step

Next up, the shedding brush

Dogs with undercoats tend to constantly shed hair, with full blow-outs twice a year. Go over your pup's entire coat with a shedding brush next to remove as much of the loose hair as possible. Keep cleaning out the brush and going over his coat until the brush comes out clean.

Step

Shower time

This is a great time to give your pup a nice warm bath. Take your time and scrub every inch of his body with a vet-approved shampoo. If you are not sure how often your pup should be bathed, check with your vet, he can tell you.

Step

Work it out baby!

Wet your dog with warm water and then gently scrub the shampoo into his fur, all the way down to his skin. Use a soft washcloth around his face, then rinse him thoroughly to remove all traces of the shampoo.

Step

Air dry only

Let your pup run around and air dry rather than trying to towel dry. Give his coat a thorough once-over using a boar-bristle brush and your pup should now be looking his best.

Caution & Considerations

Never use shampoos, conditioners, detanglers, or soaps made for humans, they contain chemicals that are known to be toxic to dogs.
Always use shears that are very sharp to avoid ripping the hairs painfully out of his skin.
Never shave your dog down to his skin, this could lead to skin irritation, sunburn, and worse.
Brush your pup once a week, more frequently during shedding times.
Always rinse your pup's coat thoroughly to remove all traces of shampoo as residue can lead to irritation.

Conclusion

It can be a lot of hard work keeping your pup's coat and undercoat clean, but when you get to look at the end of it all, your pup is going to look amazing. Best of all, you won't be stuck paying expensive grooming bills. This is a great time for the two of you to spend bonding with each other. Relax, make it fun for both of you and enjoy the whole process.

How to Brush a Small Dog's Undercoat

Introduction

Dog's Perspective

The Comb and Brush Method

The De-Matter Brush Method

Caution & Considerations

Conclusion

Success Stories and Grooming Questions

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