Brushing

• Brush daily - Daily brushing prevents mats from forming, removes dirt, and distributes oils. Spend at least 10-15 minutes brushing.
• Use a pin brush - A stainless steel pin brush with rounded tips is ideal. Bristle brushes can damage the coat. Always brush in the direction of coat growth.
• Use a comb - Follow up with a wide-tooth metal comb to catch any tangles the brush missed. Comb all the way down to the skin.
• Focus on trouble spots - Pay extra attention when brushing the ears, legs, tail, pants, and behind. Mats readily develop in these areas.
• Mist coat when brushing - Lightly misting the coat with water helps prevent breakage while brushing.

Bathing

• Brush thoroughly first - Always fully brush out the coat before bathing to avoid painful matting of the wet coat.
• Use dog shampoo - Human shampoos disturb the coat’s pH balance. Choose a high-quality dog shampoo labeled for long coats.
• Lukewarm water - Avoid using extremely hot water, as this can irritate the skin. Lukewarm is best.
• Rinse thoroughly - Be sure to rinse out all shampoo residue, as this can cause skin irritation if left on the coat.
• Air dry - Towel dry then allow the coat to finish air drying naturally. Avoid blow drying, as this can damage the coat.
• Mist and brush - Lightly mist and brush the coat while air drying to prevent matting as it dries.

• Thinning - The coat is thinned out using thinning shears to remove excess bulk and shape the silhouette. This must be done carefully to avoid damaging the coat.
• Neaten ears and tail - Long feathering is trimmed to shape the ears and tail neatly. Avoid cutting too short.
• Trim pants and bracelets - Excess feathering is trimmed from the hind legs and feet for a tidy appearance.
• Tidy feet - Hair is trimmed around the foot pads to prevent debris build up between trims.
• Trim nails - Nails are clipped to a comfortable length, taking care not to cut the quick. Use a nail file to smooth sharp edges.
• Clean ears - Gently pluck excess ear hair with hemostats. Never insert anything into the ear canal.

Preventing Mats

• Brush thoroughly - Regular brushing is vital to catch tangles before they tighten into mats.
• Apply conditioner - Using a leave-in conditioner after baths adds extra slip to the coat for easier brushing.
• Correctly dry coat - Allowing coat to air dry prevents mats from forming as it dries.
• Keep trimmed - Maintaining proper trimming every 6-8 weeks prevents excessive coat from matting.
• Spot clean - Promptly spot clean any dirty areas of the coat before debris causes matting.

Maintaining Coat Health

• High-quality diet - Nutrition is crucial for coat health. Choose a premium dog food formulated specifically for long coated breeds.
• Omega fatty acids - Supplementing with fatty acids like fish oil promotes a shiny, healthy coat.
• Limit baths - Over-bathing strips the coat of natural oils. Stick to bathing only when needed every 4-8 weeks.
• Treat skin issues - Any skin problems can show up as coat issues. See your vet for diagnosing and treating skin infections, allergies, etc.
• Control parasites - Fleas, ticks and other parasites can lead to coat-damaging scratching and skin irritation. Use preventives as recommended by your vet.

• Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
• Dog Grooming