Grooming is an aspect of dog-care that needs to be considered when you are choosing a dog, because some dogs need considerably more grooming than others. It can increase the cost of keeping to maintain your dog's coat in top condition.

People often base their choice of breed on a glossy picture in a dog book or a luxuriant looking specimen seen on television. If you are not aware of the range of coat types found in dogs this can lead to disaster. The dog in the book or television was probably the product of hours of grooming immediately prior to its appearance. Grooming is not just for showdogs. Whatever your dog's coat type, regular, correct grooming keeps it looking and feeling good. Most dogs enjoy grooming sessions, so they deepen your mutual trust and sense of companionship.

Regular grooming especially during the two moulting periods each year, will help to keep the home cleaner, because your dog will not be shedding its hair onto the carpet and finishings. Nails have to be kept neat and short to prevent injury from snagging and tearing on carpets, fabrics and objects outside. Dogs should be bathed only when necessary. If the dog is groomed frequently, bathing may be needed only a few times a year. If it gets dirty, wash it again without delay. This will not be harmful, although excessive bathing will strip off natural oils from the coat, and make it less water resistant.

Things to know
How often do you have to groom a dog. This depends on the age and breed of the dog and to some extent on its lifestyle. Dogs that are often outdoor need more grooming than those that stay mainly in the house. Longhaired dogs usually require daily grooming to prevent their coat from becoming matted, while shorthaired dogs can be combed and brushed once or twice a week to keep their hair in good condition.

The dogs coat may also need to be trimmed occasionally. T he inside of the cocker Spaniels earflaps may harbour ear-infections if not trimmed regularly.

Breeds with thick coats, such as the samoyed may benefit from having their coats cut back to help keeping them cooler.
Breeds that do not shed hair, such as Poodles, need to be clipped every 6 weeks.

Other dogs normally shed much of their longer denser winter coat in the spring and early summer, and require more grooming at that time of year. The fur then grows to its full length in the fall.

After neutering, however dogs may somtimes shed their hair more heavily outside these seasons. This is thought to be because of hormonal changes.