Caring For Your Keeshond
One of the most striking characteristics of our breed is their harsh, off standing, and straight coat. Whether it is the soft downy almost lamb’s wool feel of a new puppy or the wonderful dense and springy sensation of a fully coated adult, the Keeshond is undoubtedly a handsome dog. To the untrained eye at first glance the Keeshonds coat would appear to need many hours of grooming due to its density and profuse coat, however a 10 minute session a couple of times a week will keep your Keeshond knot free and looking as fabulous as ever. Hence one of the Keeshonds inherited nicknames is the ‘Lazy man’s Glamour Dog’. Grooming not only serves the purpose of coat care and maintenance, but also allows you to monitor your dog’s health and build the bond between you and your pet. Its also a great time to practice the commands ‘Sit, Stay & Drop’. During shedding seasons into summer and winter, males usually malt their coats once a year and female twice a year, and yes you guessed it - more grooming during these times is required.
YOUR GROOMING KIT
Walking around any pet supply store or a trade stands at a dog show you can be easily seduced into buying the wrong utensils for your Keeshond. The needs of a Keeshond are surprisingly few when it comes to grooming utensils. Ignore the claims of the wonder brush salesmen and instead, watch what the experienced breeders use. A good rule-of-thumb is to keep it simple and buy the best you can afford.
We recommend that every Keeshond owner should have the following essential items in their grooming kits:
THE PIN BRUSH
Straight wire pins set in a cushion base, Used for basic brushing. Make sure that the pins are rounded at the ends to ensure they will not damage and scratch your dog’s skin. Clean the hair from the brush regularly and in that case all utensil in your grooming kit.
THE BRISTLE BRUSH
Used when finishing off, giving a final brush to remove loose hairs. Especially good at moulting time.
THE SLICKER BRUSH
A brush that has a very fine, slightly bent wire bristles, set in a rectangular cushion. Used for grooming the legs and helping detangle knots under the arms and legs, but never the body coat or ruff.
THE COMB.
A comb that has two sizes is best, with one end of moderately spaced teeth and at the other widely spaced teeth. With the exception of teasing-out knots, from behind the ears and under the arms, this is only used during moulting.
THE NAIL CLIPPERS
Used at least one a fortnight to clip the nails and dewclaws of your Keeshond.
THE SCISSORS
Used to trim the back of pasterns and trim around feet which are the only parts of a Keeshond which should be trimmed. Also be sure to keep the scissors sharp.
THE TOOTHBRUSH & TOOTHPASTE
An essential part of grooming is to clean your dog’s teeth. This is for his own good, as well as yours, as it helps to keep the breath sweet.
THE CLOTHES BRUSH (Optional)
Anyone who has toiled at the grooming table will know how much of the Keeshonds’ coat will find its way onto the groomer. As such this is of equal importance to all of the above, especially if you are to enter the Show Ring.
THE BABY WIPES (Optional)
Not forgetting the need to clean your hands, on completion of grooming, there are plenty of important little places on your dog that may have need of these. Therefore with these having a dual role, they could be considered more of a necessity than a option.
Contact Details
Ray, Marilyn & Tracey ParkerKenthurst, NSW, Australia
Phone : 0438 407 497
Email : [email protected]