Small dog grooming — care, trimming and bathing of small breeds

Understanding the structure of a dog’s coat is half the battle. Breeds with continuously growing hair (e.g., Maltese) have a coat described as silky hair. Such hair tangles very easily, creating troublesome mats behind the ears or under the armpits. In their case, trimming every 6 weeks is an absolute necessity. On the other hand, for breeds with a double coat, the key is the Spitz’s undercoat, which under no circumstances should be shaved – deep brushing and a proper bath for a small dog work best here. Knowing how to brush and properly hand-strip a wire-haired coat helps maintain the perfect breed standard and healthy skin.

What exactly does a professional groomer service include?

A comprehensive service is much more than just shortening the hair with clippers. A standard visit to the groomer includes careful care treatments that guarantee the dog full comfort. First, there is a bath using specialized cosmetics, then gentle drying (the dryer must have the right temperature not to burn the skin), and only then the actual dog trimming or hand-stripping. Hygiene is also extremely important: safe ear cleaning, plucking hairs from the ear canal, and nail clipping (a claw that is too long causes pain when walking). Precise hygienic trimming of intimate areas is also performed.

Small dogs can be fearful, which makes working with scissors require enormous precision and focus from the specialist. We base all guides in this section on the years of practical experience of the masters from the Bruno Grooming salon. We have professional equipment and know how to trim a dog safely, eliminating small tangles without pulling. Reading our articles, you might even want to become a groomer yourself one day, but for now – leave these demanding grooming services in our hands.

How often should you trim or brush a small dog?

The frequency with which you should visit the grooming salon depends directly on the dog’s breed, the condition of the coat, and how diligently the owner brushes the dog at home. Specific numbers speak for themselves: a Yorkie, Maltese or Poodle requires an expert hand every 6–8 weeks. Shih Tzu, due to the density and specificity of the coat, is best brought in exactly every 8 weeks. A Spitz, in turn, needs thorough brushing to remove dead hair every 8–10 weeks. A regular rhythm of meetings allows you to comb out the coat on an ongoing basis. Regardless of whether you prefer to trim your dog short or maintain a long, stunning show coat – the treatment schedule should be strictly followed.

Care that pays off

Proper care for small breeds is a process that requires the involvement of dog owners and expert knowledge. In our articles from this category, you will find everything you need for your pet to impress with its appearance and enjoy good health. We encourage you to regularly read our guides and implement good practices. And if you want real experts to take care of your four-legged friend, choose our small dog grooming in Poznań. Book an appointment at the salon and see how stress-free you can shorten the coat and take care of every detail!