Miniature Schnauzers have a striking and unique appearance. Their look, and overall health, is dependant on good dog grooming practices.
Miniature schnauzers have a double coat. This means that they have a soft, short haired coat under a long haired coat. Occasional 揾aircuts?are required to help keep the coat from matting. What other upkeep is required?
Besides the coat trimming, the dog needs regular baths, nail trimming, tooth brushing and having the anal glands expressed. Some owners enjoy doing the grooming themselves, while others prefer hiring a groomer to do it.
If you decide to use a groomer, visit the groomer before taking the dog. Check for cleanliness and if the groomers are adequately trained. Another consideration is what chemicals or soaps will be used on the dog. Also check the area where your Miniature Schnauzer will be kept before and after grooming.
Like any other business, get referrals and call them. You can also contact the Better Business Bureau to see if there are any complaints.
There are several grooming aids that you抣l need if doing the grooming yourself. These items include clippers, combs, shears, toenail clippers, dog shampoo, conditioner and dog toothpaste. They should all be readily available at the larger pet supply retailers.
Before clipping your pet, take a look at a Schnauzer grooming chart. This will give you an idea of how to get the look that抯 associated with this breed of dog.
It抯 also important to regularly brush your dog抯 coat. If the dog isn抰 brushed frequently enough, its coat can become so matted that the mats have to be cut out.
An area of grooming that抯 sometimes overlooked is dental hygiene. Some dogs love having their teeth brushed. Others act like they抮e being killed. Regardless to how your dog reacts, it抯 an essential element in grooming.
Not brushing can lead to tooth and gum disease that can threaten the dog抯 life. Be sure to use dog toothpaste. Dogs may drool sometimes, but they can抰 spit. Some of the ingredients in human toothpaste may be harmful to the dog if swallowed.
Your Miniature Schnauzer will periodically need to have its nails trimmed. This is frequently included as part of the package at the groomers. If you抮e going to do it yourself, be sure to get dog specific toenail clippers. You might want to get a styptic pencil too.
The thing to be careful of when trimming nails is that you don抰 cut the quick. That抯 where the styptic pencil comes in. Even the pros occasionally make a mistake!
Another, sometime unpleasant, aspect of dog grooming is expressing the anal glands. The anal glands are two small sacs located on either side of the dog抯 anus. They secrete a fluid into the feces during the dog抯 bowel movement. This fluid produces a scent unique to that dog.
When this fluid isn抰 released it begins to thicken and can lead to infection. For the dogs health it抯 important that the groomer or vet periodically removes the fluid.
Pet owners need to make sure that all of these aspects of dog grooming are addressed. This will lead to a happier, healthier Miniature Schnauzer.
