All dogs need grooming regardless of coat type, whether it’s long or short, single or double, wiry or woolly. 

The benefits of regular professional grooming extend well beyond improving their visible look and health, if your dog isn’t healthy, you can expect that he doesn’t look good outside. A lackluster coat or one that’s plagued with external parasites and sores is just the tip of the iceberg. If he looks icky outside, he probably feels icky inside too. That’s because the coat mirrors his health.

His outward appearance can be a signal of internal problems that no amount of brushing can fix. Grooming is more than just having him look good – it’s vital for his health and it’s more than just having a bath, it includes combing, trimming, keeping his ears clean and clipping his nails.

Eliminating the spread of dirt and disease

Dirty dogs track dirt into your home and get dirt on your clothing, furniture and carpet.

Ungroomed dogs are more likely to be infected by internal and external parasites, such as fleas and ticks and can harbour dangerous diseases such as typhus and Lyme disease, which can make you and your family sick. If your dog is ungroomed, she may carry funguses such as ringworm that young kids and the elderly can pick up.

Keeping your dog clean and free from these problems, through good grooming, eliminates many potential health problems.

Sociability benefits too…

When your dog is clean, you want him around you more so you can bond and enjoy each other’s company. Sure he likes to play in the dirt and roll in stinky stuff, but he also likes how it feels to be clean just like us humans, and although he doesn’t care how he smells – you do!

You are less likely to enjoy having a dirty, smelly dog around; but a clean, refreshing one is definitely a more enjoyable companion.

Happy Hounds employs trained professional dog groomers that work within the strict guideline of The Animal Welfare Act 2006, and whilst we are not veterinarians (and not able to give any form of medical advice and or treatment) – we are able to offer guidance and information on basic animal welfare.

The Importance of Having a Matt Free Coat

Brushing and combing regularly enables you to examine your dog’s skin and check for fleas, ticks, lumps and bumps, foreign bodies (such as grass seed), or mats.

Why Are Matts A Serious Problem?

Matts are densely tangled clumps of fur in a dogs coat and can form in both the outer coat as well as the deeper undercoat.

You may not be aware of it, but matts are a serious problem and can be detrimental to your pet’s wellbeing. They can be become so tight it can tear the skin, cut blood circulation off to extremities, and deny regular air circulation. Skin denied fresh air and stimulation from regular brushing becomes unhealthy. It can turn dark pink to red and open sores are apt to form, emitting foul odors. Matts have been known to contain the stool of the pet. Even fly larvae that further irritate the skin and over time can cause serious infection.

Remember – sometime these matts and their consequences can be completely hidden from view.

Removing Matts

Throughout the grooming industry, the term “dematting” simply means to rip the matts from the dog’s skin. Many groomers will do this with no regard for the dog’s wellbeing. Happy Hounds will not remove matts that will hurt your dog. Please do not ask us to do so as we will not compromise our professional standards – severe matts will be shaved but only after consulting with the dog’s owner.

Prevention – dead loose hairs should be removed regularly by thorough brushing. This is especially important for long haired dogs and when dogs shed seasonally. Brushing also aerates the fur and skin. Keeping your dog’s hair at a manageable length also helps to prevent matting.

Therefore regular professional grooming is essential and we pay particular attention to the areas where matts quickly form.