Hi all, Bailey is my first (but I very much doubt the last) deerhound and I wouldd welcome some advice on grooming as I am used to other, softer coated breeds.

At the moment, I am grooming him once or twice a week using a cuury comb and Petsalon waterless shampoo to help keep any matting down - is this a good thing to do? Any other recommendations?

Many thanks!

I'm no expert but I just brush, my current deery is a youngster and really messes about when I brush him which makes it harder! But hopefully he'l calm down eventually! I dont use shampoo as their coat is supposed to be 'wiry' and it has an oil to help keep out the rain which some shampoos may affect, so I just brush out the knots. Good luck!

Hi, is Bailey a woolie? - actually just thought if he is your first deerhound you may not know what a woolie is!
Does his coat matt easily and you have to brush him every few days?
If so we had one and I can help you a bit with that. a piccy would help if you have one?
If he has a normal coat then a brush( with the 'pin' type brushes but with the rounded tops - kinder) out and comb out once a week should be more than enough but I will await your answer!

Hi Fin
there were lots of great tips shared last year on grooming, show prep and how to keep clean without bathing - Listerine became the top tip. So if you can do a search in the box above you might get some more useful tips!!
regards
Jenny

Thanks for the advice! Bailey isn't a woolie, he is wire.

I'm thinking I'm probably grooming him too much from what has been said - or at least spraying him too often (though it does make him smell nice!). I was told DH's were thin skinned, which is why I went for a curry comb as opposed to the wire pointy with bobbles as I thought it would be nicer for him.

So, should I squirt him less and change brush?

hi i have a woolieand was advised to get a furminator you can see them on utube

I have tried to attach a pic of Bailey (he's having a minute during a hard day at work)- hope it works! Don't think he's a woolie?

I see the pic didn't upload - never mind!

I went out and bought a porcupine brush, with the bobbles as suggested, that also has a shorter softer bristle beneath. Seems to fluff him up, but doesn't totally de-tangle. Have to say, I prefer him with some scruff, he suits it! Between the curry comb and porcupine, I think I'll have it sussed .... maybe

Listerine contains high amounts of alcohol, which will dry the coat and make it very brittle.

And your dog will smell like mouthwash.

Run a pin brush over him once a day before a meal (associate brushing with food). Bath with a suitable shampoo as needed (maybe once a month, maybe once a year; depends on the dog).

You can buy shampoos made for harsh coated dogs. Try diluting a teaspoon of shampoo in a bucket of warm water before using.

Bathing is essential if you are showing; there is nothing more insulting to a judge than entering the ring with a dirty dog.

A correctly coated dog will not feel soft after a bath.

Will do, thanks for the advice!

Just run a furminator over my three and they all look better for it