Need to know how to eliminate all that pesky loose hair floating around your home? Or do you want to find the correct way to trim your dog’s nails? Well, you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, we discuss everything you need to know about Tibetan Mastiff grooming!
No! The good news is the Tibetan Mastiff dog’s coat does not require any sort of haircut or even a trim! All it takes for a healthy coat is a thorough brush through its thick fur to get rid of dead hair.
While there isn’t any particular style of haircut for this breed of dog’s hair, you can take your Mastiff to a dog groomer who’d be happy to discuss some options with you.
However, an important point to remember is that although the breed has what many would consider excessive hair amounts, it protects the skin and keeps the harmful sun rays out. Therefore, the Tibetan Mastiff coat should never be cut too short.
If you want to avoid dog parlours, grooming your mastiff at home is the best solution. Here’s how you can groom your dog at home:
Firstly, brushing double-coated dogs at least once a week is essential, and these Mastiffs are no different. For dogs with longer hair, a good and thorough brushing keeps their coat in optimum condition as it stimulates the oil glands, which allows the coat to stay super shiny and soft.
Brushing this breed regularly also has the benefit of getting rid of dirt and debris that your adventurous pupper might have picked up on their travels, which will help minimise the risk of skin infections and irritations.
As for bathing, prepare to have a job on your hands! Not all these giant guys and gals approve of being manhandled in the bathtub, even for their own good. Set aside a few hours for this lesson on how spirited, shall we say, these dirty dogs can be when they do not want to be cleaned!
Ensure you brush your dog before washing to ensure they are tangle-free before attempting to wash them. Washing a clumped coat will be painful for the dog, so ensure the entire coat is completely tangle-free before attempting bath time.
Just an FYI: If you’ve ever tried to lift a Tibetan Mastiff, you’ll be acutely aware of how heavy (not to mention wiggly) they can be. For the sake of your back, consider investing in a ramp that your dog can use to get in and out of the bath without the need to be carried.
Once the dog is in the bath, wet all their hair. This can take some time; after all, there is so much of it! Use specially formulated dog shampoo that is kind to the skin underneath and gets scrubbing. Hopefully, by now, your four-legged friend will either be enjoying the process or hopelessly resigned to their fate, so you shouldn’t have much problem from here.
Rinse their hair completely until the water runs clear, and then get a towel to remove the excess water. You need to spend quite a bit of time drying the thick coat; using a hairdryer is highly recommended and halves the time required.
Give them lots of praise for their (good?) behaviour in the tub or maybe a few treats, which wouldn’t be unappreciated by these big – if somewhat dramatic – softies. Lastly, give them a good brushing, finishing with a slicker brush through the luscious and beautiful-smelling coat.
One of the most important aspects of Tibetan Mastiff grooming is trimming the breed’s nails to keep them healthy, although, depending on how active your dog is, these will often wear down themselves.
For a Tibetan Mastiff to be comfortable with getting its nails clipped, it’s a great idea to get them used to this practice when they are puppies.
It’s also important to reward them for their good behaviour both during and after their nail trim – lots of positive reinforcement will help them understand that getting their nails cut isn’t a big deal.
Using traditional dog nail clippers, hold them at a 45-degree angle so you don’t accidentally cut into a quick of the dog’s nails, which will be extremely painful for the dog. Take your time and stay calm while cutting your nails.
If they wriggle too much and/or you don’t feel confident with nail trimming the dog yourself, book a grooming appointment and have a professional take care of the job for you.
On average, Tibetan Mastiffs require their nails to be trimmed at least once a month. But keeping an eye on them and cutting their nails when you see they’re too long can also work.
Brushing your Mastiff’s teeth will ensure they stay healthy and free from bad breath. Here’s how to do it.
Using a finger brush, begin with the back teeth and move towards the front, gently but firmly applying pressure and moving your finger in thorough circular motions.
Ideally, a Tibetan Mastiff’s teeth should be cleaned 2-3 times a week to keep its oral health and general hygiene in tip-top condition.
All dogs are prone to ear infections. Cleaning their ears regularly is the best way to avoid this. Here’s how to do it.
All you need is a cotton ball and some ear-cleaning solution; simply dab the solution-soaked ball gently in and around the ear, being careful not to go too deep.
A Tibetan Mastiff’s ears should be checked weekly for any build-up of wax or dirt and other debris.
Get these headstrong and independent pups used to brushing as early as possible. Not only will they quickly begin to enjoy the process, but it’s also great for their young coats. Remember to brush gently, as these little ones have delicate skin, and you certainly don’t want to hurt them by accident because they’ll tell you all about it!
How often you bathe your giant teddy bear of a dog depends on how dirty it gets! If you have a doggo that loves to dig and tear up your garden or perhaps roll in something they shouldn’t, they’ll require more baths than other dogs who enjoy a slightly quieter pace of life.
Generally, a Tibetan Mastiff should be bathed once every two months, but it will vary from dog to dog.
The breed does not require professional grooming – if you know what you are doing. If you felt more comfortable seeking a professional to do the job for you (and who could blame you!), plenty of groomers would love to spoil your Tibetan Mastiff for a few hours!
No, shaving a dog of this breed is not recommended. This is because it will allow the undercoat to grow much faster than the outside guard hair, which can make the coat rough and harsh overall. Plus, they are much more likely to get sunburnt if they have a shaved coat, so it’s not worth considering shaving that Tibetan Mastiff.
Tibetan Mastiffs don’t require much grooming maintenance, but, as a double-coated dog, they will require a strict brushing routine to remove excess hair and keep their coats looking in peak condition. Thankfully, it’s one aspect of grooming that these lovable big dogs really enjoy.
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