Coat Care

We love giving doggies amazing haircuts and making them look as cute as possible.  Many people prefer a longer haircut for their pooch, but it's not always possible.  

Matting refers to densely tangled clumps of fur in a pet’s coat.  If a dog’s coat is not properly and frequently brushed, loose and live hairs become embedded in large masses.  Sometimes mats can be combed out, but if left too long, it is impossible without seriously harming your dog.

Matting can cut off blood supply to extremities, and deny regular air circulation.  Skin denied fresh air and stimulation from regular brushing becomes unhealthy.  It can turn dark pink to red, and open sores may form.  Sometimes the consequences from these mats can be completely hidden from view. In some cases, the matting can be so bad that a vet will need to treat the issue.

   

Happy Tails will not cause undue harm or stress by brushing out an extremely matted coat.  When dealing with extreme mats, the only safe solution is to shave the coat and start fresh.

Shaving a matted coat is a delicate and slow process requiring experience and expertise.  A dog’s skin can be thin like tissue paper, and dense mats can cause it to become loose due to the weight of the matting. Clippers can easily cut loose skin if not done properly and safely.

Once the shaving is done, your dog may develop an itchy response to the shaving. Since your dog’s skin is already fragile at this point from the matting, it is important that you ensure that the dog does not itch or lick after this has been done to prevent further irritation. 

Regular and frequent grooming, especially brushing, is absolutely necessary to not only prevent mats, but to keep your dog’s coat and skin healthy. Make sure you have a good quality brush as well as a comb to maintain your dog’s coat.

  

Professional grooming should be done on a regular basis every 4 to 6 weeks.   After 8 to 10 weeks, a coat may become too dirty and matted to maintain, depending upon your dog’s breed and lifestyle.

At Happy Tails we like to encourage frequent grooming appointments so we can continue to give your dog an adorable haircut! We offer a 5% discount off a full groom if the appointment is pre-booked and if the groom is no longer than 6 weeks from the last.

Double-Coated Dogs

The term double-coated refers to breeds that have two layers of hair - a top coat and an undercoat.  This includes breeds such as Huskies, German Shepherds, Collies, Retrievers, and more.  The top coat refers to a layer of guard hairs that don't shed.  This layer of hair protects the skin against sun damage and bug bites.  The undercoat is made up of "dead hair", and needs to be brushed regularly.

We do not shave double-coated dogs at Happy Tails because it strips the coat from its natural ability to insulate the skin.  We've also found that in some circumstances, it permanently ruins the coat, leaving a patchy, scruffy look.  In extreme cases, usually in older dogs, the hair never grows back at all.

If you have a double-coated dogs, and you are concerned about shedding, we recommend trying our Furbuster Package, and having them groomed at least every 3 months.  This package includes a de-shedding shampoo and conditioner, high-velocity blow drying, and a brush out.  We can also trim up the paws, feathers and pants so your dog will look fabulous!