How often should your dog be groomed? It depends on their coat, their lifestyle and the Dubai climate. A Labrador and a Poodle living on the same street need very different routines. Here is the breakdown, coat by coat.
Short coats
Short-coated breeds such as Labradors, Beagles and Dalmatians are the easiest to look after. Bathe them every four to six weeks, or every two to three in summer, when sand and swimming add up. Brush them once a week to lift out loose hair. A Labrador needs it every day while the undercoat is coming out, and a Dalmatian sheds all year, despite that short coat. A professional groom every eight to twelve weeks takes care of nails, ears and a deshed.
Double coats
Double-coated breeds such as Huskies, German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers need extra attention in Dubai's heat. Their dense undercoat protects them from heat as well as cold. Never shave a double-coated dog: it takes that protection away, and shaving can damage the coat for good. Brush two to three times a week instead, with a professional deshed every six to eight weeks, and every four to six from May to September.
Curly and wool coats
Poodles, Bichons Frises, Portuguese Water Dogs and Doodle crosses need the most frequent professional grooming. Their coats keep growing, shed very little and mat easily, especially in the humidity. A professional groom every four to six weeks is typical, with brushing every day or two at home so mats cannot form in between. Mats are not just about looks. They pull on the skin, hurt, trap moisture, and are where skin infections start.
Wire coats
Wire coats, on Schnauzers and terriers such as the Wire Fox Terrier and the Airedale, need hand-stripping or clipping every six to eight weeks to keep the coat's texture. Brush them several times a week in between.
Long coats
Long coats, on the Maltese, the Shih Tzu and the Yorkshire Terrier, tangle fast, often behind the ears first. Brush them every day, or at the very least several times a week, with a professional groom every four to six weeks. A shorter summer cut is a sensible choice in Dubai, and the coat still needs regular grooms.
Flat-faced breeds
Bulldogs, Pugs and French Bulldogs have short coats but needs of their own. Their facial folds trap moisture, food and bacteria, which can lead to skin fold dermatitis (sore, infected skin inside the folds). Clean the folds every day with a damp cloth and dry them well. Bathe every three to four weeks, and keep an eye on their ears, which are prone to infection in these breeds.
What every dog needs
Whatever the coat, trim nails every two to four weeks. Check ears once a week for redness, a smell or discharge, and clean them when they need it. Brush their teeth every day if you can, with a toothpaste made for pets, never your own. The dental care page explains what a dental visit involves.
Check the pads after every walk for cuts, burns or anything stuck between the toes, and a pet-safe paw balm helps stop them cracking. The summer coat care guide has more on the hottest months.
Drying in the humidity
In the humidity, a coat left damp after a bath can turn into hot spots (acute moist dermatitis, sore and inflamed patches of skin). Dry your dog right through after every bath, down to the undercoat, the ears and between the toes.
A groomer is a second pair of eyes
A good groomer sees your dog's skin, coat, ears, eyes, teeth and nails up close, and often enough to spot a lump, a skin change or an ear infection before you would. Choose one who takes their time, handles your dog gently and tells you what they find. The Paws & Co grooming salon will open at the Motor City clinic, with a health evaluation before every groom. Cats have their own routine, covered in grooming and lifestyle in the UAE.
Bath, brush, groom, repeat. strong>The hard part is convincing them the hairdryer is a friend./strong>
