Grooming by coat type Over 400 breeds of dog exist world-wide. Between them, they have literally dozens of coat types, divided by length, hair type, and density. What coat type does your dog have? Coat Length There are three lengths of coat: long, short, and medium. Variation even exists in these categories, however. For example, both Shetland Sheepdogs and Maltese have long coats; however, the two breeds could not have grooming requirements that are more different. Even short-coated breeds can have different grooming requirements. The Labrador retriever and Miniature Pinscher are both shorthaired, but the first has a dense and oily coat, while the second coat is hard and close lying to the skin. Some dogs have coats between these two extremes. The Papillon, with its wavy coat and attractive frills on its ears, tail, and ruff, has a medium-length coat. Hair Type There are three types of specific hair types: straight, wire, and curly. Straight coats are perhaps the most familiar. The short-coated Labrador and the long-coated Rough Collie both have straight outer "guard hair" for their coats. Most terriers have "wire" coats. The outer guard hairs that are straight in other breeds are harsh and kinked. Some dogs bred to retrieve game from the water have curly coats. They can be soft or harsh, depending on the breed. Coat Density Coats are either single or double in density. Double coats consist of outer guard hairs, with an inner layer of undercoat. This undercoat can be fine or downy, thick or thin. Dogs with single coats have the outer guard hairs, but lack the inner layer of undercoat. Most breeds with single coats also have long hair. Many single-coated dogs, like the Maltese, were developed to be decorative, rather than functional. Dogs from warm climates, like the Afghan hound and the Saluki also have single coats. Grooming for Coat Type Different coat types have different grooming requirements. These requirements are briefly described here. Short Coats: dogs with short straight coats offer the greatest ease of care, requiring occasional grooming with a slicker brush or a soft brush. However, those short-coated breeds with a dense undercoat will also require that undercoat to be thinned on occasion. Using a brush known as a rake or thinning knife to rid the dog from dead hairs in the undercoat will prevent mats from forming. If mats form underneath the guard hairs and remain for any length of time, sores and hair loss, known as "hot spots" can occur. Some dogs, such as Alaskan Malamutes and German Shepherds, have such copious undercoats that they require frequent, if not daily, grooming to prevent these mats from forming in sensitive areas. Wire Coats: wire-coated dogs have unique grooming needs. Your immediate reaction when confronted with an unruly wire coat might be to shave or clip your dog's hair. Although clipping will make your dog look better, it will destroy the protective quality of this kind of coat. Wire coats are groomed by a process called "stripping" which is done by hand. Excess dead guard hairs are plucked from the dog's coat. These hairs are loose and removing them does not cause the dog any pain. Dogs with long coats require a lot of attention. Their coats must be groomed several times a week, if not daily, to ensure that they remain free of tangles and mats. Longhaired dogs with double coats require the same attention as double-coated shorthaired dogs. Because long coats are more efficient than short ones for hiding mats and tangles, it is imperative that they receive frequent attention. Single-coated longhaired dogs have special grooming needs. Dogs with these kinds of coats, such as Afghan hounds and Maltese, should never be groomed when their coats are dry. Always be certain to spray your dog's coat with water or conditioner before brushing or combing to prevent the coat from being broken off or torn. Although mats and tangles are less frequent than in double-coated breeds, they do occur. Resist the urge to cut these mats and tangles from your dog's coat. Special Coats Corded Coats: corded coats are impossible to comb or brush. The "cords" that form this kind of coat are specialized mats. They create a weather-resistant shield in herding and some hunting breeds. Dogs with corded coats require occasional baths to keep their coats clean and fresh-smelling. Corded coats take hours to dry following each bath. Don't forget, too, some dogs have no coats. The American Hairless terrier, the Peruvian Inca Orchid, and the Chinese Crested dogs are all examples of hairless dogs. Their skin must be maintained, just as other dogs' coats are groomed. They need regular baths and moisturizer for their skin. If these hairless dogs go outside, sun protection must be applied. Different breeds have different grooming needs due to their coat types. Even mixed breeds have coats that conform to these types. Knowing more about your dog's coat type can help you with your regular grooming tasks.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------If you are a business owner get listed at Best Dog Care Site, part of Localwin Network.