Miniature Schnauzer Grooming

The miniature schnauzer is a small dog breed that is characterized by its square-shaped furry body. It is basically a mix of the standard schnauzer and small dog breeds like the Poodle and the Affenpinscher. This breed is usually between 12 to 14 inches in height, and weighs between 14 to 18 pounds.

This dog is known for its intelligence and loving nature. It blends well with all the members of the family, including small children. If socialized properly, it gets along well with other dogs as well. Because of the double fur coat on the skin, this dog needs special attention when it comes to grooming. Given below are the different steps for grooming this breed of dog.

Grooming of any dog cannot be accomplished without the pet supplies. Pet combs, brushes, nail clippers, thinning shears, grooming table, scissors, stripping knives, electric clippers, etc. are some of the important grooming tools. You can easily get these supplies in a pet shop near your house. Apart from these, you will also require a pet shampoo and toothpaste.

Brushing the coat is very important since this is a non-shedding dog breed and is hypoallergenic. It is recommended that you brush the coat on a daily basis, or at least once in a week. Though the coat is not difficult to maintain, brushing is essential to avoid matting. It should be done before bathing and clipping.

Start with brushing the front legs from top to bottom. Then, use a pin brush and work in the opposite direction. Repeat the same process for the hind legs, and then move towards the armpits. Brush the eyebrows by moving the brush from the head towards the nose, and then do the beard. Ensure that you do not miss out any part of the dog's body.

In case you come across a matt while combing, place your free hand between the skin and the matt to avoid any discomfort which may be caused to the dog while pulling the hair on the skin. Brush the teeth on a daily basis to avoid any dental problems.

Always oil the blades before you start clipping the dog. This will prevent them from getting hot while clipping. For a closer cut, always clip against the grain. This may cause razor cuts if you do not handle the clipper properly. While clipping, hold the skin and make smooth strokes. Start from the eyebrows and move towards the neck portion.

Do the hair on the throat by moving the clipper in the opposite direction of the hair growth. Similarly, clip the hair on other parts of the body. By cutting the body hair in different lengths, you can come up with different grooming styles. You should clip overgrown nails after a bath, since they become soft and can be cut easily.

Ensure that you do not cut the 'quick' while clipping the nail. Quick is the nail region which has nerves, and can bleed when cut. Thus, it is recommended that you take professional help for the clipping process to avoid any injury to the dog.

It is recommended that you bathe your dog as often as you can. However, see that you do not overdo it, and bathe the dog whenever you feel it is too dirty. Use a vet-recommended mild pet shampoo. See that the shampoo does not enter the mouth, eyes, or ears while bathing. You should use lukewarm water. Ensure that you use cotton balls to cover the ear holes.

This will prevent the entry of water into the ear canal. Rinse the dog thoroughly and ensure that all the shampoo is removed. Else, it will cause the dog's skin to become flaky and dry. While drying the dog, squeeze the water from the coat instead of rubbing it with a towel.

The miniature schnauzer is a cute dog breed that needs proper grooming in order to maintain its adorable looks. Use the methods given above to ensure that your dog looks his/her best at all times.