All About Dog Coats From Smooth To Medium To Long Coated Breeds.

When choosing a breed of dog that's right for you, the type of coat is definitely a factor to consider. Different types of coat require different kinds of grooming method that you may or may not be prepared to do or pay someone to do it. It is easier to brush down a Great Dane with very little effort, but grooming something like a Poodle can be quite a challenging task that most owners are not willing to undertake. Most owners in this case prefer to assign the job to a professional groomer. Let's take a look at two types of dog coats and talk about the features of each one.

Smooth Coated Breeds: They are smooth, shiny, and give the look of glossy skin. Breeds with smooth coats are very easy to groom and takes minimal time and effort to do it. They are perfect for those who do not want to spend a lot of time grooming. All you have to do is brush, polish, and you're all set.

All groups of purebred dogs have breeds with smooth coats, from giant to toys, working dogs to sporting dogs. Smooth dog coats do not mat or tangle. They do not attract burrs, they do not catch in the underbrush, and they do not get in the way of work. On the other hand, smooth coats offer minimum protection from the elements in comparison to other types of coat. However, breeds with smooth coats are easier to care for because wounds and parasite attack can easily be spotted and easily removed.

Examples of smooth coated breeds are the Beagle, the Bulldog, the Greyhound, the Miniature Pinscher, the Labrador Retriever, the American Foxhound, the Great Dane, the Rottweiler, the Pug, the Bull Terrier, the Dalmatian, the Mastiff, and the French Bulldog.

Medium Coated Breeds: Just like smooth coated breeds, medium coated breeds also take little time and effort to groom. Medium coated breeds have coats that are usually longer than an inch but not at all long. They normally do not develop mats, though thick double coats of the same length could develop mats if they are not regularly brushed every once a week.

Unlike the smooth coated breeds, medium dog coats vary. A Dandie Dinmont Terrier has a plush fur while a Golden Retriever has silky feathers. A German Shepherd has weather resistant coat while an Alaskan Malamute has a well insulated coat. Although medium coated breeds can significantly vary from one breed to another, they all share the same feature; they have a thick, weather resistant coat that was developed to survive nature's elements such as underbrush, lake water, ice, and snow. Many herding dogs as well as working dogs have medium coats so as not to interfere them with their work but thick enough to protect them against rain and cold.

Breeds with medium coats include the German Shepherd, the Saint Bernard, the Golden Retriever, the Borzoi, the Siberian Husky, the Akita , the Flat Coated Retriever, the Smooth Collie, the Field Spaniel, the Norwegian Elkhound, the Saluki, and the Brittany .

Long Coated Dog Breeds: Long coated breeds are perfect for those who love to devote a lot of time to grooming and do not mind a long grooming session. Although grooming a long coated breed is a time consuming task and one that can be quite challenging, it is also very rewarding because the end result is a gorgeous and smooth flowing mane that is rather spectacular.

Long coated breeds can be long and frizzy like a Pomeranian or a Chow Chow, or fluffy all around like a Saint Bernard or a Collie. Some coats are parted down the back, and some are shorter along the back but have long feathers along the ears, underside, and tail like an English Setter. Long coats are very similar to human hair and brushing and combing a long coat is very similar to brushing and combing human hair.

There are a lot of theories as to why dogs have long coats. Some think that herding dogs have long coats so they can better blend in with flocks of sheep. The sheep like coats also gave them protection from the elements. Various toy breeds have said to evolve to have long, lavish coats for the sake of the enjoyment of the royalty that bred and kept them, making the dogs look regal and fit to be royal pets. Over time, as different breeds evolved, long coated breeds were chosen for their grace and beauty, since humans have always admired the aesthetic enjoyment of a long coated dog.

Long coated breeds require daily grooming schedule and extra attention in the grooming process. They need to be brushed and then combed using a flea comb to remove all tangles at least every two days, but preferably everyday. Tangles left untended can trap shed hairs that can turn into mats, and a long coated dog full of mats is not a very pleasant sight. And because long coats have greater risk for tangles, they also need bathing more often than smooth coats. Long coated dogs require a monthly bath and conditioning, and blow out to maintain the coat in top shape.

Breeds with long coat include the Shih Tzu, the English Setter, the Havanese, the Papillion, the Pekingese, the Bearded Collie, the Longhaired Chihuahua, the Gordon Setter, the Maltese, and the Yorkshire Terrier, the Japanese Chin, the Pomeranian, the Silky Terrier, the Newfoundland , and the Keeshond.

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