What you need to Groom your Dachshund
An important part of the daily care of your Dachshund will be the grooming tasks to keep your dog looking his best. The type of grooming care that your Dachshund will require will depend largely on what type of Dachshund you own. Short-haired Dachshunds will require a much different grooming routine than their long-haired counterparts. Since the tasks will vary from dog to dog, the grooming supplies that you will need to keep on hand will vary as well. However, no matter what type of Dachshund you own, care for your dog will require nail clippers to keep your dog’s nails trimmed to a safe length; doggy shampoo to give your pet the occasional bath; and a toothbrush and toothpaste that are specially formulated to be safe for dogs that you can use daily to keep your dog’s teeth clean and his breath fresh.
The Long-Haired Dachshund
The long-haired Dachshund probably requires the most care in terms of grooming to keep his long, luscious coat looking its absolute best. If you own this type of dog, you will want to keep a couple of different kinds of brushes in your grooming supplies. First, a soft bristle-brush will be your best bet for brushing your dog during his daily Dachshund care. A wire-pinned brush will also come in handy for getting out the knots and tangles that can form in your dog’s long coat. A comb can also be used to gently work through tangles. You will also need to have a pair of grooming scissors on hand to cut out the mattes that are too tight to work out with a comb or brush.
The Wire-Haired Dachshund
Part of the regular care of this Dachshund may be a professional grooming approximately every six months, so the name and number of a quality groomer would be the first supply to keep on hand for this dog. If you do not have a groomer, you can probably get a recommendation from your veterinarian or breeder. It is very difficult to keep this little guy’s beard and eyebrows looking their best without professional Dachshund care! A stripping comb might be a good supply to keep on hand for this type of Dachshund, since this tool is most effective for removing the dead wire hairs from your dog’s coat. You can also use a wire bristle brush to keep your dog’s coat smooth and free of debris as part of your weekly Dachshund care.
The Short-Haired Dachshund
You might think that the smooth, sleek coat of this dog does not require brushing, but your smooth-haired pup will still need regular brushings with a soft bristle brush to remove dead hair and skin particles. You can also use grooming mitts as part of your short-haired Dachshund’s care to give him a good spit and polish and keep his coat smooth and shiny.
Baths are important for any type of this breed, but should not be done in excess since this can strip the dog’s skin of a special insulating layer designed to protect him from the elements. When you bathe your long-haired Dachshund, care for your dog by blow drying his fur after his bath to keep him warm. Once you have stocked your closet with the necessary grooming supplies, you are ready for expert grooming tips for your Dachshund.
