Grooming a Bloodhound - How to Properly Groom Your Pet?

When grooming your Bloodhound, 'brushing tables' can make the process more comfortable for your pet. They are typically used by professional groomers and pet owners who enter their pets into competitive shows. These tables do provide a safe, secure, and effective setting for grooming. However, they can be expensive and to avoid this, many pet owners may try to utilize what is readily available in the home.

Bathing

When bathing your pet there are several kinds of hair shampoos and conditioners which have been specifically developed for pets and which are readily available. When using the shampoo it is important to combine it with water. If your Bloodhound isn't filthy, water should be mixed with shampoo in a 1:1 proportion to make it less harsh on the dog's skin. It is important to rinse your pet to remove any kind of shampoo, as this residue can aggravate the skin leading to skin irritation. The majority of pets do not need frequent showering as frequent bathing can remove the layers of natural oils which protect the coat and lead to dry skin. When bathing, it is important to use warm and not boiling water. For pets with heavy coats, it is important to brush or clip any matting before bathing.

Combing

When brushing your pet's coat there are several types of tools that can be used. Removing combs are devices which are used to help grab longer hairs and pull them out by the root. This is a good tool for breeds which have longer coats helping to thin these out and very useful for dogs who do not shed regularly where it can help to pull out lifeless hair. A stripping blade is also useful for this and when done properly, it is a pain free process and removes the necessary layers to expose a thick and soft undercoat. Pets also become familiar with the process if they are introduced to it as a puppy.

Slicker brushes are commonly used after brushing your Bloodhound with a bristle or a wire pin brush. They are used to smooth the layer and to take out mats and tangles. They have wire pins that are protected to avoid damage to the skin. The pins are angled at an angle roughly halfway down the pin. The slicker brush is commonly used on pets with long layers and those with curly layers. For heavier and thicker layers, one is advised to utilize a brush with stiffer pins. This sort of brush can be found in a variety of sizes, and with a different amount of pins and pin rigidity.

Pets with medium to long haired coats are commonly brushed with a wire pin brush. The wire pin brush is great for pets with curly layers. They usually have an oval shape and have dish bristles set in a pliable rubber foundation. This sort of brushes is great for pets with long, wiry, wavy, and curly layers as they are useful in dividing and disentangle the layer. Pin brushes are of much better quality if they have polished pins or covered pins which prevent damage to the dog's skin. Since the coating or gloss could go away with time, the pins of such a brush must be replaced from time to time. Pin brushes can be found in a selection of sizes, textures, and fullness, relying on the sort of layer that they are needed for.