Liam The Chapillion

Adopted dog update: Athena reports she finds her new life A+. Stiefvaterland has two acres of the farm in dog fencing, and three other dogs who instantly adored her, and children who huggle her. You can see the difference a week has made in her face.

(last week:)

the audacity of this dog to decide this is an allowed action

she is very noble however

Eggs Benedict is really showing that catnip mouse who’s boss.

However, that doesn’t mean you just let them go all summer without any coat maintenance. 

Brush your dogs. I’m serious.

It’s not healthy for hair they’re trying to shed to stay beside their skin. If it’s not removed, it can cause problems. This is the basis for most of the mats I see on dogs. Not shaving your dog doesn’t mean that you don’t need to groom them (or have them professionally groomed, no judgement). Making sure that you have the appropriate tools for the job is also important. My personal recommendations are slicker brushes, undercoat rakes, and other combs. 

A significant portion of double coated dogs shed their undercoats in the spring and it really needs to be removed. Getting it all out can take a while. Several sessions over multiple days are normally required. Unless you have great nerves and a dog with the patience of a saint. 

Ten minutes brushing an Australian Shepherd’s butt.

Matted Pomeranian. Mats were almost exclusively uncombed undercoat that couldn’t escape. (Shelter stray intake. 6 years old.) Her front was salvageable but everything from her mid-back down was a single mat. 

This groom took almost two hours. Yes, I am aware this side is not smooth. She started coughing severely enough that I opted to stop the groom. 

Brush your dogs.