That snowy white thick double coat is beautiful and attracts the eye from afar. However, ensuring a Samoyed has healthy fur is a responsibility that lies upon the shoulders of the owner. Like any other double-coated breed, the Samoyed coat sheds more than average, so you should ensure regular grooming sessions.
What are some of the most critical touchpoints, and how often should you follow up on your Samoyed grooming routine? Here is a detailed guide of tips and styles for the Samoyed’s coat.
If you are considering using hair clippers or shavers on that grooming table, consider avoiding this standard method used to groom dogs. This dog’s skin is sensitive and might be prone to skin infections due to elements such as heat or cold exposure.
The skin provides the best form of insulation from such elements, so refrain from shaving the outer coat even during shedding season. Unlike other dog breeds, the natural blowing out of loose hair is sufficient to remove any unwanted hair that causes discomfort.
Some dog owners opt for shaving canines with thick fur when summertime is approaching. This is not recommended because shaving your Samoyed will remove the only form of protection it has. Maintaining the double coat through a professional groomer is the best form of grooming you can offer this dog.
Because of the Samoyed dog’s long hair, it is more convenient to try out a different style. Instead of shaving it all off, consider a light trim on this breed for dog shows.
There is much versatility to this coat, making it the candidate for different styles such as the “lion cut”, which requires you to slightly trim the hair on the torso, back, as well as the front and rear legs, leaving a more prominent “mane” around its face and neck.
People who own a Sammy must take careful precautions when grooming this pup’s hair at home. The main priority should be hygiene and your dog’s comfort. That means you can trim a bit around the buttocks with your scissors parallel to the skin to avoid any injury.
In addition to this regular dog care, you should also focus on bathing and brushing your Samoyeds coat. Also, ear care is essential for this dog breed as well. So, how can you provide the best care in these three aspects?
Bathing a Samoyed is not as straightforward because of the thick coat. You can simply bathe other dog breeds, but not this one.
To remove any matting or knots and ensure your pup has a healthy coat, do the following:
Caring for Samoyeds’ ears is not complicated because you just have to ensure they do not have mites or inflammation. Because these ears stand up straight, this breed is not predisposed to ear infections like other dogs.
If you notice any ear wax on your Samoyeds ears, use a solution with cotton balls to clean it. Use an ear solution prescribed by a veterinarian instead of peroxide since the latter could cause discomfort.
You might need to do a little more grooming on this breed. Samoyeds tend to grow nails a little more than other hounds. This could be because Samoyeds were initially bred for hunting and herding. Therefore, the claws help with agility and varying expectations of their terrain.
However, this could cause ingrown nails, so try to clip them regularly to prevent paw infections or discomfort. How often should Sammy owners clip their dog’s nails, and what’s the best way of doing so?
Clipping a dog’s nails is a critical aspect of grooming that shouldn’t be overlooked. Besides the standard health benefits, you also benefit from shorter nails since claws might scratch you during playtime. In addition, wood floors might also have scratch marks when nails are not constantly clipped.
First and foremost, clipping a dog’s nails must be done with careful precaution so as not to hurt or cause discomfort. It is the outer shell that requires trimming since it does not have any nerves. If you go any deeper than this, your pup might feel pain or experience bleeding from the quick during the process and afterwards.
Before the process, aim to soak the paws in warm water to soften their nails and then you can begin clipping away excess nails around the edges. Alternatively, you can ask a professional to do it.
Nail trimming should be done at regular intervals. For this breed, consider clipping twice a month, depending on their growth patterns. However, ensure you do not overdo it because that could disrupt the growth patterns and cause some issues down the line.
If you have any questions or feel unsure, consult a professional groomer or veterinarian to get guidance.
From the first few weeks, familiarise your pup with keeping its coat clean using a pin brush and a flea comb. Then, up the ante by using nail clippers for clipping nails. After the first few weeks, get your dog used to frequent bathing and a high-velocity dryer by visiting an experienced local groomer.
You must give particular attention to frequent baths since the long hairs are prone to collecting dirt and fleas. For the ultimate grooming routine, these dogs can be washed weekly, but avoid six weeks going by without washing the hair that makes up the thick coat.
If you want to parade your dog at shows, getting help from a professional groomer could be a game-changer. However, for normal household Samoyeds, the grooming can be pretty much done at home. You might consider asking an experienced groomer to do the job for a straight-line trim.
Shaving a Samoyed for summer exposes it since the coat plays a crucial role in protecting it from the sun. Instead of shaving off the hair, consider frequent brushing and bathing to keep this dog’s body temperature cool throughout the summer. Use a blow dryer afterwards to keep the dog completely dry.
Grooming a Samoyed is not a complicated task. Just ensure it remains clean and hygienic by frequent bathing. Also, trim nails whenever required, but don’t overdo it and avoid shaving off all the fur on this dog breed. For beginners, it is better to leave your hound’s personal care to a professional groomer experienced with the Samoyed breed.
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