Dog Grooming; Different Types of Coats

With over 300 dog breeds present across the globe, a plethora of the most amazing dog coats can be admired. From curly to straight, wiry to silky, long haired to bald, fluffy to rough, the canine world surely has got creative,(some dogs coats also feature dreadlocks!) if we think that dogs descended from '''canis lupus'', or more simply, the wolf.

This wide variety of coats makes choosing a particular dog breed of primary importance, since all prospective dog owners must realize how much time (and money!) they have on hands to devote to the care of their dog's coat. Some dogs are quite easy to groom and a weekly brushing may suffix, but others may be challenging and may require lots of dedication.

Dogs primarily come with single or double coats.

• Single coated dogs generally belong to dog breeds originating from warm countries.These dogs do not have an undercoat, and therefore, they will likely shed less.
• Double coated dogs, on the other hand, have a two-ply coat: an undercoat and a top coat. The top coat is typically stiffer, its main goal is to protect the dog's skin, and in some breeds, it is water repellent. The undercoat instead is fluffy, and shorter than the top coat, and its main purpose is to keep the dog warm. Double coated dogs shed their undercoat twice a year.

As mentioned previously, dogs also have differently textured coats and of different length.

Smooth coated dogs have very short hairs making them less likely to shed a lot. Examples of dogs with smooth coats are Dalmatians,Great Danes and Dobermans.

Wire coated dogs have wiry, curly hairs that feel coarse. Many Terriers have this type of coat such as wire-fox Terriers. Other breeds with wire coats are wire- haired Dachshunds, german wirehaired pointers and wire-haired pointing griffons. These coats require regular stripping and clipping.

Curly coated dogs are not very common. Among the breeds, there are Portuguese water dogs, curly coated Retrievers, Poodles, Lagotto Romagnolo and Irish water spaniels. These coats are quite high maintenance.

Corded coated dogs are interesting dogs since their coats are quite unique. These dogs have dreadlocks that need care to avoid them from becoming matted. Breeds with corded coats are the Puli, Komondor, and the Bergamasco shepherd.

Hairless dogs may appear to need little grooming, but their skin still needs care. Hairless dog breeds are the Chinese crested, the Mexican hairless dog and the Peruvian Inca Orchid dog.

Short haired dogs have short hair that makes them easy to groom but they are not well protected against cold climates.

Medium haired dogs have an undercoat and a top coat. They are better protected against cold weather but they are not that hard to groom, when compared to dogs with long hair coats.

Long haired dogs have beautiful coats that attract people but their coats tends to mat and needs lots of maintenance. Examples are Afghan Hounds.

Familiarizing yourself with the different types of coats dogs have will help you make an informed choice before making a commitment to adopt a puppy of a particular breed. Once you know the type of coat your future puppy will have, you will know what equipment you may need to purchase, the time you will have to dedicate to its care, and the products required to bring out the best out of your dog.