GROOMING
Grooming dogs is an important part of responsible pet care. It helps keep your dog comfortable, healthy, and looking their best, while also giving you a chance to check for problems early. Whether you have a short-haired dog or one with long, thick fur, regular grooming can make a big difference.
One of the main goals of grooming is maintaining a clean coat. Brushing removes loose hair, dirt, and debris, and it helps prevent mats and tangles—especially for long-haired breeds. Bathing should be done as needed using dog-safe shampoo, since over-bathing can dry out a dog’s skin. After a bath, drying thoroughly is important to prevent irritation and lingering moisture.
Grooming also includes basic hygiene tasks. Many dogs need regular nail trims to keep them from getting too long, which can cause discomfort and affect walking. Ear cleaning is helpful when done gently and only as recommended, since some dogs are prone to wax buildup or infections. Checking the skin, ears, and paws during grooming lets you spot issues like redness, sores, fleas, or swelling.
Another benefit of grooming is bonding. Dogs often learn to associate grooming with calm, positive attention. Starting slowly—especially for puppies—and rewarding your dog for good behavior can make grooming a smoother experience for both of you.
If you’re unsure how often to groom your dog or what tools to use, a professional groomer or your veterinarian can provide guidance based on your dog’s coat type, activity level, and health needs. With consistent care and patience, grooming becomes an enjoyable routine that supports your dog’s wellbeing.
I recommend Fluffy puppy by Biogroom for all puppies as it's tear free and has the most lovely scent. The scent also stays on the coat for at least 3 days and the dog does not smell doggy afterwards. Being a qualified groomer, I was taught to use the professional shampoos and we all get our favourites.
Dogs with skin allergies there is my favourite go too which is Peace and Kindness by Chris Christensen this shampoo has colloidal silver in and helps the most sore skin.
Dogs which have just normal skin then you can use any grooming shampoo you fancy. I like to buy from www.groomers-online.com or www.christiesdirect.com But you can purchase off Amazon, pet stores etc.
I do avoid wheatgerm based shampoo's sold for sensitive skin. I know that it's sold for sensitive skin but I have found the opposite. Also if your dog is allergic to wheat do not give wheat shampoo.
Read the products - You must read your product because some will state you must dilute 1 part shampoo to 10 parts water. This makes the product go a long way. But not only this too strong can upset skin.
Did you know there are conditioners? Which also are great for dogs skin.
Today is very different to years ago as there are so many products available and I have used so many with great success.
For example spa salts for paws, which really gives a deep clean and removes dirt.
Mud packs which are fabulous again for skin. I had a dog years ago who gets sore between his toes from all the grass and pollen build up on skin. If I treat his paws they come out soft, smelling lovely and calms the irritation down.
If your dog has skin issues you should speak to your veterinarian for advice.
BRUSHING COATS
For short coated breeds you need a grooming mitt, or we use a zoom groom. This helps to remove dead coat when the dog is loosing coat. You can purchase these on Amazon.
For longer coated breeds we use slicker brushes which look like needles. Gentle grooming is a must and do not be too hard other wise you can damage delicate skin underneath. The needles separate the fur.
De-Matt tools are ideal for dogs with longer coats and you need to split mats apart. But always own scissors you can cut out any matts. Most longer coated dogs you will be at the groomers, but you do need a grooming kit at home.
For bathing:
For home use in longer coats like poodles and spaniels.
For short coated breeds
For wire coats
You can purchase clippers with correct blade lengths. But ideally get your groomer to show you how to use them if you want to start home grooming. Other wise your dog could look like Frankenstein.
COAT ISSUES/SKIN
My Academy will hold a paper which shows you a photo of a coating Vizsla.
Ive seen it in Vizsla, Weimaraner and Bracco where the coat changes colour and dead hair does not come away. I have a paper in my academy for this.
Grooming dogs is an important part of responsible pet care. It helps keep your dog comfortable, healthy, and looking their best, while also giving you a chance to check for problems early. Whether you have a short-haired dog or one with long, thick fur, regular grooming can make a big difference.
One of the main goals of grooming is maintaining a clean coat. Brushing removes loose hair, dirt, and debris, and it helps prevent mats and tangles—especially for long-haired breeds. Bathing should be done as needed using dog-safe shampoo, since over-bathing can dry out a dog’s skin. After a bath, drying thoroughly is important to prevent irritation and lingering moisture.
Grooming also includes basic hygiene tasks. Many dogs need regular nail trims to keep them from getting too long, which can cause discomfort and affect walking. Ear cleaning is helpful when done gently and only as recommended, since some dogs are prone to wax buildup or infections. Checking the skin, ears, and paws during grooming lets you spot issues like redness, sores, fleas, or swelling.
Another benefit of grooming is bonding. Dogs often learn to associate grooming with calm, positive attention. Starting slowly—especially for puppies—and rewarding your dog for good behavior can make grooming a smoother experience for both of you.
If you’re unsure how often to groom your dog or what tools to use, a professional groomer or your veterinarian can provide guidance based on your dog’s coat type, activity level, and health needs. With consistent care and patience, grooming becomes an enjoyable routine that supports your dog’s wellbeing.
I recommend Fluffy puppy by Biogroom for all puppies as it's tear free and has the most lovely scent. The scent also stays on the coat for at least 3 days and the dog does not smell doggy afterwards. Being a qualified groomer, I was taught to use the professional shampoos and we all get our favourites.
Dogs with skin allergies there is my favourite go too which is Peace and Kindness by Chris Christensen this shampoo has colloidal silver in and helps the most sore skin.
Dogs which have just normal skin then you can use any grooming shampoo you fancy. I like to buy from www.groomers-online.com or www.christiesdirect.com But you can purchase off Amazon, pet stores etc.
I do avoid wheatgerm based shampoo's sold for sensitive skin. I know that it's sold for sensitive skin but I have found the opposite. Also if your dog is allergic to wheat do not give wheat shampoo.
Read the products - You must read your product because some will state you must dilute 1 part shampoo to 10 parts water. This makes the product go a long way. But not only this too strong can upset skin.
Did you know there are conditioners? Which also are great for dogs skin.
Today is very different to years ago as there are so many products available and I have used so many with great success.
For example spa salts for paws, which really gives a deep clean and removes dirt.
Mud packs which are fabulous again for skin. I had a dog years ago who gets sore between his toes from all the grass and pollen build up on skin. If I treat his paws they come out soft, smelling lovely and calms the irritation down.
If your dog has skin issues you should speak to your veterinarian for advice.
BRUSHING COATS
For short coated breeds you need a grooming mitt, or we use a zoom groom. This helps to remove dead coat when the dog is loosing coat. You can purchase these on Amazon.
For longer coated breeds we use slicker brushes which look like needles. Gentle grooming is a must and do not be too hard other wise you can damage delicate skin underneath. The needles separate the fur.
De-Matt tools are ideal for dogs with longer coats and you need to split mats apart. But always own scissors you can cut out any matts. Most longer coated dogs you will be at the groomers, but you do need a grooming kit at home.
For bathing:
- Mixing bottle
- Shampoo
- Bath brush.
- Micro fibre cloth
- Towels.
- Blaster or drier.
For home use in longer coats like poodles and spaniels.
- De-Matt tool
- Slicker brush
- Coat king
- comb.
- Hand strip banded comb for Spaniels not Poodles
- Micro fibre cloth
- Towels
- Noodle matt
- Finger Cots for Spaniels or wire coats, not Poodles with wool coats.
For short coated breeds
- Zoom Groom
- Microfibre cloth
- Towels
- Noodle matt.
For wire coats
- hand stripping knife
- Or finger cots
- Shampoo for wire coats. Quite often shampoo which has a degreaser element and do not use coat softening. So for a Wire haired Vizsla you do not want a normal shampoo, you need a shampoo for wire coats.
You can purchase clippers with correct blade lengths. But ideally get your groomer to show you how to use them if you want to start home grooming. Other wise your dog could look like Frankenstein.
COAT ISSUES/SKIN
My Academy will hold a paper which shows you a photo of a coating Vizsla.
Ive seen it in Vizsla, Weimaraner and Bracco where the coat changes colour and dead hair does not come away. I have a paper in my academy for this.