With dogs, as with anything else, nothing succeeds like excess, which is why the dogs who win in the show ring have lots of fur. Breeds such as cockers, collies and Afghans have lush, glorious coats that would be wholly impractical in their original lines of work, but they're sure beautiful at the end of a lead in the show ring.
They're also beautiful at the end of a leash in the park, which is why many of these breeds are so popular. But there's a price to be paid for such beauty. And if you don't pay, your dog will. Grooming isn't an optional part of caring for your pet. Consider a simple mat, so easy to overlook. Have you ever had your hair in a ponytail that was just a little too tight? A mat can feel the same way to your dog, a constant pull on the skin. Try to imagine those all over your body, and you have a good idea how uncomfortable an ungroomed coat can be.
Your dog need never know what a mat feels like if you keep him brushed and combed. You should go over him daily, clearing such things as mats and ticks from his coat, and brush him out completely every week. For shorthaired breeds, doing so is a cinch. Run your hands over him daily, a brush over him weekly, and that's it.
For other breeds, grooming is a little more involved. Breeds such as collies, chows, Keeshonden and Alaskan malamutes are "double-coated," which means they have a downy undercoat underneath harsher long hair. The down can mat like a layer of felt against the skin if left untended, a situation that's very uncomfortable. To prevent this, divide the coat into small sections and brush against the grain from the skin outward, working from head to tail, section by section. In the spring and fall -- the big shed times -- you'll end up with enough of that fluffy undercoat to make a whole new dog. Keep brushing and think of the benefits: The fur you pull out with a brush doesn't end up on the furniture, and removing the old stuff keeps your pet cooler in the summer and lets new insulation come in for the winter.
Silky-coated dogs such as Afghan hounds, cockers and Maltese also need constant brushing to keep tangles from forming. As with the double-coated dogs, work with small sections at a time, brushing from the skin outward and then comb back into place with the grain for a glossy, finished look. Coats of this type require so much attention that having a groomer keep the dogs trimmed to a medium length is often more practical.
Curly and wiry coats, such those on poodles and terriers, need to be brushed weekly, working against the grain and then with it. Curly coats need to be clipped every six weeks, wiry ones two or three times a year (but clipping every six weeks will keep your terrier looking sharper).
Good grooming is about more than keeping your pet looking beautiful and clean-smelling, although that's certainly one of the pleasant payoffs. Regular grooming relaxes the dog who's used to it, and it becomes a special time shared between you both. A coat free of mats, burrs and tangles, and skin free of fleas and ticks is as comfortable to your dog as clean clothes fresh from the wash are to you. It just makes you feel good, and the effect is the same for your pet.
Some added benefit for you: Giving your dog a tummy rub after every session is sure to relax you (and your dog, of course) and ease the stresses of your day. And for allergy sufferers, keeping a dog clean may make having a dog possible. A better deal I never heard, so get grooming!
PETS ON THE WEB
For a peek at what must surely be the best-groomed dogs in the world, check out the Intergroom Web site (www.intergroom.com). An international organization for groomers, Intergroom sponsors competitions where the best-groomed dogs take home the ribbons for their groomers in a display of professional skill. The groomers compete for cash and prizes in categories for poodles, terriers, spaniels and others.
One interesting competition is Rags to Riches, where a groomer takes a dog with a serious bad hair day and makes him beautiful. As the Web site says, "The shaggier the coat and the finer the finish, the greater the chances of winning a great deal of cash." Ladies and gentlemen, start your clippers!
THE SCOOP
Thinking of adding another bird to your flock? For the safety of the pet birds you already have, skip any introductions until your new bird has been examined by a veterinarian who's experienced in avian medicine. Even a seemingly healthy bird needs to be quarantined for about six weeks before meeting any other feathered family members. As heartbreaking as it would be to lose your new pet to an infectious disease you didn't know he was carrying, imagine how you would feel if you lost any or all of the birds you already have because you introduced them to a sick bird. You just can't be too careful.
QUESTIONS FROM THE PACK
Q: My parents bought an AKC-registered shiba inu puppy last February. The problem: My parents are in their mid-70s and are in over their heads with this dog. They can't handle the high activity level. I sent them an in-home trainer last week to work with them, but I'm afraid that it was too late for my parents. Their patience is gone, and my dad is getting out of breath when walking her and playing with her.
They want to find a great home for her, of course. I want to locate a rescue outfit for this type of dog, so she can have a temporary home until the rescue folks interview the right family for the dog. The family pays an adoption fee, and then the rescue checks up on her throughout the dog's life.
My parents want no money, even though the initial cost of her was $750. They have crates, lots of food and toys. She's had all of her shots and is spayed. Can you please send me in the right direction? -- G.L., via e-mail
A: The breed rescue movement is a much-needed addition to a collection of groups and individuals who help find homes for pets who need them. Breed rescue groups work with a single breed, such as the basset hound, or a handful of related breeds, such as the sighthounds (Afghans, borzois and the like.)
These groups range from one-person operations placing a few dogs a year to a few massive nonprofits with their own sheltering facilities, boards of directors, and a well-organized volunteer network all dedicated to stepping in when one of their particular breed needs a hand.
Probably the closest description of a "typical" breed rescue outfit would be a group consisting of two to four volunteers who work together to foster and place dogs of their chosen breeds and are both affiliated with a local breed club and loosely tied to a national network of rescuers for that particular breed.
Breed rescue contacts can be hard to find. If you have Internet access, the American Kennel Club's Web site (www.akc.org) offers two ways to track down rescue groups, either on their list of rescues, or by hitting the links to the national breed clubs, most of which list rescue contacts. (Type "rescue" into the AKC search engine.) You can also get the same information by calling the AKC at its North Carolina office, (919) 233-9767.
Another resource is your local humane association or SPCA. Most traditional shelters now work quite happily with breed rescue groups and maintain a list of local contacts.
Q: Thank you for not promoting exotics as pets. As you mentioned, many people who have exotic pets do take wonderful care of them. However, I agree that we humans already do a horrible job of taking care of all the cats and dogs who do rely on us for care and love.
It is a shame that humans continue to inflict their emotional needs on species that are not naturally attracted to our lifestyles (skunks, snakes, iguanas, hedgehogs, prairie dogs). As a result, the animals end up being abused, neglected or killed by humans. The pet-store trade is full of problems, and exotic pets are often the victims of greed and the quest for more customers.
Thanks for being a voice of reason. Please keep reminding people that exotic animals' natural habitat is not in our homes or apartments. -- K.A., via e-mail
A: Thanks for giving me the chance to remind everyone again. I couldn't have said it better.
Gina Spadafori is the award-winning author of "Dogs for Dummies" and "Cats for Dummies," and is affiliated with the Veterinary Information Network Inc., an international online service for veterinary professionals. Write to her in care of this newspaper, or send e-mail to WriteToGina(at)YourPetPlace.com.
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