Ten important myths about grooming Dogs

" Frequent baths destroy dogs" coats: Have you ever seen a show quality Afghan hound in full show coat? They are bathed and groomed frequently to grow their coats out--often as frequently as every five days or more! Once upon a time, there was truth behind this myth, which is why it still makes the rounds. Back in the early days of pet ownership, many of the amenities were lacking. Lye soap was frequently used, on humans and on dogs alike. Lye was not any better for human skin than it was for dogs' coats. As time went on, soap for both humans and dogs became milder and more formulations became available. If the proper combination of shampoo and conditioner is used and is followed by sufficient rinsing and proper grooming, you can bathe your dog as often as it is needed.


- Removing the hair from over the eyes of a dog will cause the light to blind him: More light than what you would think gets through that thatch of fur. Without its vision, the hairy dog would not be able to perform the duty for which it was bred, usually herding or carting, although other kinds of breeds the hair over a dog's eyes is intended to protect him from debris as he works.

- Shaving a long-coated dog keeps it cooler in the summer: Most dogs have an undercoat that acts as an insulator. It is positioned between the dog's skin and the guard hairs of the outer coat and traps warm or cool air to prevent the dog from extreme temperatures. In addition, most dogs don't sweat the way human beings do. They only sweat through sparsely furred areas, such as their paw pads. Dogs cool themselves by panting, not by perspiring. Dogs with thick coats that have been shaved or closely clipped may be at risk of sunburn.

- Letting your dog grow a long coat in the winter keeps him warmer: As with the previous myth, there would seem to be some logic to this one. However, a full-coated Bouvier de Flandres can be just as cold in winter as a Beagle can be. The truth is, it is not the length of a dog's coat that protects the dog from the cold. Rather, it is the undercoat that does it.

- "Hypo-Allergenic"breeds don't need grooming: The justification for this myth is that "hypo-allergenic" breeds don't shed. The truth is that non-shedding, hypo-allergenic breeds such as purebred Poodles and Bichon Frisas require just as much brushing as any other breeds, as brushing removes dead hair from the coat and prevents it from matting.

- Scent hounds smell bad because they are dirty dogs: Scent hounds are no dirtier than other dogs. They may give the impression of being unkempt because of their skin folds and pendulous ears and flews. One rumor has it that the hound aroma comes from rolling in offal to hide their scent while tracking. The truth is, the scent hound aroma arises from the amount of oils in the dog's skin, to protect them from the elements while working.

- Water grows coat: This myth might have its foundation in the grooming advice that single-coated longhaired dogs should never be groomed when dry. However, while this advice is true, it is only half of the picture. Long and luxurious coats come from proper nutrition, not water or conditioner. However, proper maintenance of a healthy coat is also necessary for that coat to achieve its full length and beauty.

- Groomers have a magic solution that removes mats: Groomers are limited to the same kinds of equipment, shampoos, and conditioners that the general public does. What they have in their favor is knowledge. The professional groomer knows how to apply the conditioner, knows the length of time to let it set, and knows

- "Quicking"a dog's nails will cause him to bleed to death: Cutting a dog's toenails too closely to the blood supply, called the "quick" will cause him to bleed. Although it is true that the dog's nail will bleed copiously, the amount of blood lost is, in truth, so small that he won't miss it. A dog who has been quicked will experience some discomfort, but will rarely suffer even minor infection from the cut, let alone death from excessive bleeding.

- "Hot Spots" develop because it's hot outside: Although heat does go into the generation of hot spots, the heat that is involved is the dog's own body temperature. Hot spots form when a mat forms in the dog's coat. The dog licks and bites at the area to relieve the irritation and the area becomes moist. As the matted area gets trapped closer to the skin, moisture gets trapped beneath it. A sore forms beneath the mat, killing the hair follicles, creating a large "hole" in the coat if the mat is clipped away. Good grooming is essential in the battle against hot spots.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------If you are a business owner get listed at Best Dog Care Site, part of Localwin Network.