April 17, 2012
Posted in Common Pet Conditions, Pet Supplies

When you are choosing what type of dog to get, the type of coat it has should be a pretty important deciding factor. After all, dogs' coats can range from extremely thick and long to short and thin. Some dogs may have curly coats, others are straight. The type of coat your dog has will determine how comfortable it will be in the climate you live in, and how much time and money you will have to spend grooming it. Keep in mind that all dogs benefit from baths with pet shampoo to keep their skin healthy. Use this guide to figure out what type of dog might fit into your life the best.

Short or thin coat

Dogs with short hair are probably the best option if you live in a place where it is warm most of the year. There are even hairless breeds of dogs, like American hairless terriers and Chinese crested terriers. These pooches require minimal coat care, but will still need regular baths with pet shampoo to keep their skin healthy. Because they don't have a coat to keep them protected, you might also want to give these breeds a supplement like Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Pet to keep their skin nourished.

Other short-haired breeds like Greyhounds, Great Danes and American Staffordshire terriers are low-maintenance. These dogs might enjoy the occasional brushing session with a Resco Pro-Series Combo Brush to distribute the skin's oils through its fur.

Medium-thick coat

Some dogs have long-ish hair but do not have an undercoat, only a primary coat. This means that their coat does not appear dense and they will shed much less than dogs with an undercoat. They are also more comfortable in warm weather than dogs with a thick, fuzzy undercoat. These types of coats can be straight or curly – the Afghan Hound and the poodle are some examples. Keep in mind that just because these dogs do not shed as much, they often need regular brushing sessions or trips to a groomer for a trim.

Thick coat

Dogs that were bred in cold regions have a thick, furry undercoat that often serves to keep them warm in the snow or cold water. Huskies are notorious for their thick fur, and Labs, Saint Bernards and most retrievers also have this feature. These dogs will shed a lot, which means you will either need to deal with a lot of fur on your belongings, or brush it regularly. Pet products like the FURminator deShedding Tool for Dogs might be helpful for these pooches, since this grooming tool reduces shedding by up to 90 percent. 

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2. How to reduce your dog’s shedding
3. Get that coat to shine bright
4. Tricks and tips for terriers
5. Is a Bernie the dog for you?