Before choosing a dog, don’t just ask yourself about your tolerance level for shedding and whether you have allergies. Here are some other grooming and care-related issues to ponder.
To Groom Or Not To Groom?
Are you able to go to (and willing to pay for) a groomer at regular intervals throughout your dog’s lifetime? If you get a dog with a hair coat (single-coated dogs like Poodles, Maltese, Schnauzers, etc.) instead of a dog with a fur coat (double-coated dogs like Collies, Shepherds, Cocker Spaniels), you’ll have to.
Short Coat vs Long? Double-Coated or Single?
We often think lots of hair equals long hair. But double-coated dogs aren’t always longhaired. Akitas and Shiba Inus, for example, have medium to short hair length but are double-coated. And Papillons and Yorkshire Terriers have long hair but are single-coated. The distinction is relevant for these considerations:
1. Your activity level. If you hike, run, or take your dog to the park a lot, a longhaired dog will get muddy and tangled in burrs and branches, requiring careful cleaning. A shorthaired dog can often just be toweled down. And single-coated dogs dry faster, saving you time and effort if you live in a rainy area like the Pacific North West, whereas double-coated dogs stay damp longer.
2. The dog’s comfort level. Coat density varies greatly in dogs, from 600 hairs per inch in Spitz-type dogs to less than a 100 per inch in silky Yorkshire Terriers. If you live in an area that sees extreme temperatures, take coat density into consideration. Single-coated dogs spend harsh winters freezing; double-coated dogs rarely thrive in desert environments.
Big vs Small?
How much of a do-it-yourself groomer are you? If having a well-coiffed dog is high on your list of priorities, carefully consider which size of dog to get. Small dogs can be easily washed in the bathtub or sink. A Mastiff? You better have a hose and a sizeable bathroom.
Problem prevention tip: Being able to safely handle your dog is essential for you, your groomer, and your vet. Teach your puppy or new dog to love handling and grooming right away to avoid trouble (and expensive law suits) down the road. Don’t know how? Call a trainer for a gentle desensitization program.
