IntroductionHypoallergenic dogs are great for people who can’t be around shedding dogs due to pet allergies. When most people think of hypoallergenic dogs they think of Poodles, Shih Ttzus and Yorkshire Terriers, but hypoallergenic dogs come in all shapes and sizes. Havanese, Irish Water Spaniel, Portuguese Water Dog, Kerry Blue Terrier, Maltese, Schnauzer, Puli, Wheaten, Airedale, Border, Carin, Highland and Wire fox terriers and Bouvier des Flandres are just some of the other breeds that have hair-like coats instead of fur, and are considered to be low shedding, hypoallergenic dogs. That’s the good news!
The bad news: they require quite a bit of grooming, as the hair coats tend to be wavy and catch loose hair and debris, forming knots. Also, because they do not shed much, and their hair continuously grows, it can become quite long and unruly, and the hair that is not lost tends to stay embedded in curly coats and needs to be removed. If you do not wash, brush and clip or trim your hypoallergenic dog, you’re going to end up with a tangled, matted mess.
Hypoallergenic dogs sometimes do not love being groomed, even though they desperately need daily grooming and monthly trimming and clipping. The reason is that their curly coats become tangled easily, and if someone has been rough in the past or overly aggressive grooming him, your hypoallergenic sweetie got his skin pulled, and it hurt! It is important to carefully separate hypoallergenic dogs hair into sections and work thoroughly, but carefully, to remove tangles without pulling. Also, finding a good professional groomer to help you with monthly or semi-monthly clipping and trimming, who is patient and skilled, will make grooming much more pleasant for your hypoallergenic-haired friend.
Clipper Step 1 Do your research Find a good professional groomer. Ask for recommendations from friends and neighbors, or research on the internet or your with local business bureau to get feedback and reviews. Step 2 Check them out When you visit the salon, talk to the groomer. Do they ask for guidance on how you want your dog trimmed, or ask if you have any concerns? Is the salon clean? Does the groomer act professionally? If not you may want to find another salon before committing your hypoallergenic dog. Step 3 Check for equipment A professional groomer should have an elevated grooming table, appropriate for your dogs size and fitted with a neck restraint, non-slip pads, and sometimes an under the belly restraint to hold your dog securely while being groomed. Step 4 Get professional grooming The professional groomer will brush, bathe, dry, and trim and clip your dog. They may also express anal glands and trim toenails. Step 5 Check your dog Check afterwards for uneven trimming or cuts or nicks on your dog. There should not be any. Make sure no razor burn occurred from clippers and tools being overheated. If you have any concerns, address with your groomer or find another provider.
Comb Step 1 Use detangler You will need to brush your hypoallergenic dog daily between salon visits to keep his coat knot-free. Spray with detangler and use a slicker brush. Part your dogs hair. Step 2 Brush in sections Working in sections, starting at the ends and working backwards to the skin, brush hair. Step 3 Get trouble spots Move all over your dogs body, getting trouble spots like the belly, under limbs, neck, back end and behind ears. Step 4 Break up mats Check your brushing job with a comb, if you find tangles, use a dematter to remove, or trim knots out with scissors. Step 5 Bathe as needed You may need to bathe your hypoallergenic dog, especially if he gets dirty or has itchy skin. Use a gentle oatmeal based shampoo and use a leave-in conditioner.
Are you looking for easy hypoallergenic dogs that don’t shed much (or better yet, at all)?
You might if you have pet allergies, but you can’t imagine your life without a dog.
If your dog does develop mats it means you are not brushing often enough. Matted fur is difficult to remove and always painful for the dog. Do not pull on the mats. If a tangled piece of fur will not easily untangle, you should contact your groomer for an appointment. Your groomer will know how to properly remove the matted fur. If knots persist, then you may need to brush your dog more often or have its hair cut shorter.
In between grooming appointments, you will have to brush your dog regularly so that the fur does not clump or become matted to their skin. Matted fur causes several health issues and is painful for the dog as the mat pulls at the skin. A good grooming brush should not cost too much and your groomer can recommend the right style for your dog. It is recommended to brush in the direction the fur grows and not against it. Your dog should enjoy the way the brush feels. You can brush your dog at any time as long as they are comfortable. It will only take a few minutes to properly brush your dog. Keeping your dog’s coat well brushed can also save you money when you take your dog to the groomer.
While there are tools that you can use to groom your dog, if you do not feel comfortable or if your dog does not cooperate with you when you try to groom them, then you will have to find a professional groomer that will trim your dog’s hair. Groomers can be found in the phone book or online. Choosing a groomer is not difficult, but sometimes finding an experienced groomer that does a good job can be.
The first time your dog visits a groomer, discuss how much hair to trim and the style you prefer. When you pick up your dog go over the dog to inspect the hair to see that the cut is even, and that it was cut to your preferences. Talk with the groomer if you see something you would like done differently. A experienced groomer will be happy to make adjustments at your request.
Buying a hypoallergenic dog may help reduce allergic reactions to dog hair and dander, but these dogs require special attention because of their hair. Most of these breeds have coats that resemble human hair rather than traditional fur. As a result, these dogs do shed as much as humans, and they require regular haircuts just like human do. Grooming is an essential part of taking care of a hypoallergenic dog. If you do not have the time to schedule regular appointments or the money to pay for three of four groomings a year, then you should consider a different breed of dog.