How to Groom a Dog's Beard
Need regular grooming services?
Introduction
Lots of dogs have beards, that is, long hair under their mouth and chin. It looks cute, right? Unless it is tangled or soiled, then not so cute!
Beards are especially common on wavy haired, hypoallergenic dogs, who are often clipped with their beards left long because it looks nice. However, your dog is not aware that he looks dapper with his beard all clean and fluffed up. Your dog is quite likely to bury his face in a hole he just dug, drool on his beard while eating or chewing a bone, or to drag it through whatever disgusting thing he is investigating under that bush on your walk. It does not take long for beards to become soiled with debris, saliva and food particles. No one wants a slobbery dog kiss from their dog with chunks of dirt or food hanging from the hair under his mouth. You will need to clean, brush, and sometimes trim your dog's beard to keep it looking spick and span and your bearded buddy looking handsome.
Dog's Perspective
Having his beard groomed may not be high on your dog’s list of fun things to do today. Beards become tangled and dirty, especially on wavy haired, low shedding dogs, where they are common. Pulling on a matted, knotted, dirty, beard to comb it out and clean it is uncomfortable for your dog. His chin and lips are a sensitive area, and he may be resistant. Working gently and using the appropriate tools to work out tangles and remove debris in this area will make it easier for your dog to tolerate growing his beard.
The Clean It Up Method
The Knotty Beards Method
Caution & Considerations
- Always use cutting tools with sharp blades as they are less likely to pull and cause discomfort. Make sure scissors are held parallel to your dog with sharp tips pointed away.
- Change blades on mat splitters; they should glide easily thru mats to be effective.
- Because you are working around your dog’s mouth, be sure to brush or rinse off cleaning agents so your dog does not ingest them. Use non-toxic substances.
- Be gentle, do not pull on your dog's beard as it can be painful.
Conclusion
Success Stories and Grooming Questions
Grooming Questions & Answers
Kelo
How do I get my dog to grow a goatee?
We are getting a bernedoodle and trying to prepare...how often do their beards need to be cleaned if they get discoloration? The breeder we are getting our puppy from tends to have black and white with a lot of white on the face.
0 Dog owners recommended
Hello, congrats on your soon-to-be Bernedoodle! I recommend that you have vet-approved dog wipes on hand at all times for quick cleanups after meals, playing outside in the grass and dirt, and in the event of the occasional drool! You'll want to get your puppy used to the grooming process when young (that includes bathing and toothbrushing). When you take your new addition to the vet the first time, ask about grooming and get their opinion on what you can do when, based on your pup's age, etc. I've given a link to a great guide I found on beard cleaning. It's very detailed and should give good pointers. Still, check with the vet before using any products on your pup. The article is about Schnauzers but should still apply. https://theschnauzercollective.com/how-to-clean-detangle-and-whiten-your-schnauzers-beard/. Good luck!
Is there a product available that I could put on my dogs facial hair across his nose that would make the hairs lay down until they grow out enough to lay down. Previous groomer shaved the area and I want the hair to grow back out.
0 Dog owners recommended
Hello, I think that time is the only remedy for little Brody's facial hair. No doubt, these short hairs have a mind of their own! With Brody being so young, I'm sure the look is pretty cute. But I do understand that you'd prefer the fur to lie down. Once the fur is a bit longer, you could try a leave-in conditioner. I like anything from Burt's Bees; just be careful if you see any irritation at all, stop the product. Being close to the eyes, you will need to be extra careful to not get the product near enough that it can be rubbed into the eyes with a paw or while playing. Good luck and enjoy your little pup!
