Each dog is unique and so is the care it will need, in this article we will work with the different types of fur, defining each one and classifying them so that you can find the one that belongs to your pet.
Even if you think it's not important, knowing your dog's coat will help you when you want to cut his hair, bathe him, etc. You will also better understand how they regulate their temperature and whether or not they need an extra coat to protect them. Keep reading this ExpetoAnimal article about the types of dog hair
Rough Fur
Coarse hair is considered as such when reaches and exceeds 10 centimeters in length and shows a characteristic thickness. We speak of hard fur on some occasions when we identify a dog with a beard or large eyebrows, fur that must be preserved and maintained, thus performing a unique and characteristic waterproof function.
Some examples of dogs with wire hair are the Schnauzer or the West Highland Terrier.
What is certain is that during the growth of the new hair the previous one dries up and gets caught in the thick fur they have. You will need daily brushing to remove dead hair. Some of the dogs that have rough coats have two coats of hair, one hard and one shinier and softer.
In addition to daily brushing we must cut it with electric machines that allow a personalized length to maintain the typical cut of the breed or shear, with which it will grow stronger and harder still.
We will choose a specific shampoo without oils or softeners, maintaining the naturalness it offers. Washing it every 3 or 4 weeks will suffice.
For those dogs that participate in competitions and have a dog with a hard coat, they should turn to professionals who master trimming and stripping techniques.
Curly Fur
Curly hair is very special as well as characteristic and also as a curious note we must comment that grows continuously, for that reason you will need a frequent and careful cut, from the hand of those who know this type of hair.
The curly coat is characteristic of the Poodle, the Spanish water dog or the Kerry Blue Terrier.
Curly coats require more frequent bathing than other types of coats as they are more likely to get dirty, for this reason we recommend washing them approximately every 20 days. We will use a special shampoo, of the moisturizing type, since the hair tends to dry out. During the bath we will protect their ears and later we will dry them well. We will avoid using conditioners that reduce hair volume. Drying must be thorough.
Curly coat must have a daily brushing, since the appearance of knots in this breed is very annoying for both the animal and for us, that we will have to spend a lot of time to eliminate it.
Regarding the cut, this should be done with scissors except for some areas where we can work with the electric machine. If you do not have experience, we recommend that you go to a dog grooming center at least the first time to observe the procedure and take notes.
Short fur
The short coat is one whose length ranges between 1 and 4 cm. The appearance of this hair is smooth and is common in countless breeds such as Pit Bull, Doberman or Boxer.
It is the easiest coat to care for and maintain. We will bathe them moderately once every month and a half, otherwise we could damage the protective structures of the natural fur.
We will brush once or twice a week with a soft brush and we will pay special attention to the times of shedding in spring and fall.
Long fur
A dog's long coat is easy to identify, obviously by its length. The Yorkshire Terrier, for example, is in this group. This type of hair falls continuously throughout the year, although in times of shedding it intensifies.
Requires daily brushing to avoid entanglements in the animal since if it occurs we should end up opting to cut an entire lock, such is the difficulty if it occurs on some occasions.
As for the bath, once a month will be enough to keep it shiny and he althy, we will use a shampoo with softener to try to prevent the appearance of tangles and that it appears silky and soft. At the end, we will dry it with a dryer, metal hair is a good option although we must take care not to harm the dog.
Cutting long coats should be done with scissors. As in the case of curly fur, if we are not experts in cutting we recommend go to a canine beauty center to observe the professional's technique and then apply it ourselves In the home.
