If you have a Coton de Tulear you will know that combing and brushing is an important part of their grooming routine. So it’s important to know how to properly brush and comb their fur. This includes knowing exactly which tools should be used and in which order for a more appropriate technique.
Why Combing and Brushing Your Coton de Tulear Is Important
Regular brushing and combing of your dog is vital for maintaining their coat’s health. If not groomed properly, it can lead to a host of problems, including: matting, skin irritation, and even infection.
By regularly brushing and combing your doggo, you can prevent painful matting. Brushing also helps to distribute your dog’s natural oils throughout their coat, keeping their skin and fur healthy. Regular grooming also provides an opportunity to check for any skin irritations, bumps, or lumps that may require veterinary attention. By catching these issues early, you can ensure that your coton receives prompt and appropriate care by a specialist if needed.
Another important aspect that may be overlooked, is that regular grooming also provides an opportunity for bonding between your doggo and you. Take that time to cultivate a trusting and special bond between the two of you. This will not only strengthen your bond with your doggie, but allow them to complete the necessary grooming ritual in a safe and loving environment. This will create positive lasting effects, especially when they then transition to regular veterinary appointments.
Brushing also helps to remove dirt, debris, and loose hair, which can reduce shedding. This also helps to reduce the amount of loose hair and pet dander within your home; thus reducing the increased risk of exposure for allergy sufferers.
It is recommended to brush your pupper at least 3x/a week, if not daily.
It is important to note that you will begin with a comb and will comb multiple times before transitioning to a brush.
What You’ll Need
Before you start brushing and combing your Coton de Tulear, make sure you have the following:
- Comb Types
- A poodle comb
- A greyhound comb
- A flea comb
- Brush Types
- A pin brush with uncoated metal pins and/or slicker brush
- Other Tools
- A mat table or high surface
- A detangling spray
- A treat to reward for good behavior
Preparing to Comb and Brush Your Coton de Tulear
It is important to start the grooming process as early as possible. For pupper up to 4 months of age, you should brush several days a week with a metal pin brush in order to begin to establish a grooming routine.
After 4 months of age, you can introduce a comb after brushing. Make sure to comb to the skin. It should be able to comb smoothly through the coat. As your puppy reaches adulthood, an increase in brushing is necessary. During 8 months – 1 year, the coat is transitioning from their puppy coat to their adolescent coat, before becoming their adult coat. It is moving from a single soft coat to a double-coat; a soft undercoat and a coarse topcoat. Their second coarse topcoat will start to emerge, beginning at the lower back. The coat will become hard to manage and will be prone to matting very easily. You must be diligent and brush/comb frequently, preferably daily, during this process. If left to mat and tangle, drastic measures such as shaving the dog to the skin may be required. Around 15 months, the adult coat will come in. You can move to brushing at least 3x/a week.
Always make sure to remain patient and gentle when completing. Place the puppy on an elevated surface with a non-slip mat such as a dog grooming table in order to complete the grooming routine (brushing, combing, teeth, and nails). Get them comfortable lying on their side and standing while on the higher surface. Just make sure you grab all the necessary equipment required prior to placing your pup up high, and if you have forgotten something then lower them back down to the floor so as you’re making sure not to leave them on a high surface unattended.
Bringing them to a higher work surface will not only signal to your pup that ‘now it’s time for the grooming routine,’ but will also save your back. It will allow you to have proper body mechanics, which will become especially important as they become bigger and stronger. Also, please make sure to incorporate praise and treats prior to and after completing the grooming routine. This will not only help solidify the bonding experience, but will signal to your doggie that the grooming process is a safe and loving space for them.
It is important to note that you will begin with a comb and will comb multiple times before transitioning to a brush.
How to Comb Your Coton de Tulear
Combing #1
- You should start by removing all mats, dirt, debris, and loose hair from their coat.
Attempt to use your fingers firstly, by gently pulling apart small sections at a time and working
your way from outermost mat sections and moving closer to the skin. Pinch the tangle between
your fingers so as not to pull on the hair. If you would like, you can use your greyhound comb,
using the end tooth to try to work the tangle out delicately and in small sections at a time. Start
working the tangle at the tip of the hair and work your way closer to the skin. A detangling spray
is always a good option in order to ease the tangles out more freely. - Coton de Tulears have a double-coat; with a soft, cotton-like undercoat and a longer,
coarser topcoat. Make sure you brush down to the skin when brushing. Comb and brush the
coat in small sections, starting from the head and working towards the tail. - Start with the head. Using the wide-tooth portion of the poodle comb. Start at the bottom
of the chin and work your way up the face. Remember to comb in the direction of hair growth. - Next move to the ears. Comb down vertically in the direction of the hair growth.
- Then the chest, starting at the closest point to the chin and working your way down.
Continue to comb down in the direction of the hair growth. Make sure to be gentle around the
sensitive belly area. - Then the sides, while alternating laying on each side. Remember to comb in the direction
of the hair growth. - Then the front legs and then the back legs, starting at the furthest most point of the toes
and working your way up to the thigh. Pay special attention to the intersection where the legs
meet the body, as this area is prone to matting. - Lastly, the tail.
Combing #2
Now follow the same steps, but using the fine-tooth side of the poodle comb. Continue to follow
the same order, same combing of small sections at a time, and combing down to the skin.
- Start with the head. Using the wide-tooth portion of the poodle comb. Start at the bottom
of the chin and work your way up the face. Remember to comb in the direction of hair growth. - Next move to the ears. Comb down vertically in the direction of the hair growth.
- Then the chest, starting at the closest point to the chin and working your way down.
Continue to comb down in the direction of the hair growth. Make sure to be gentle around the
sensitive belly area. - Then the sides, while alternating laying on each side. Remember to comb in the direction
of the hair growth. - Then the front legs and then the back legs, starting at the furthest most point of the toes
and working your way up to the thigh. Pay special attention to the intersection where the legs
meet the body, as this area is prone to matting. - Lastly, the tail.
Combing #3
- Now use a flea comb on the face. Gently comb around the eyes in order to remove
sleep, being extra careful so as not to accidentally poke the eye. Gently comb around the mouth
to remove any food particles. Remember to clean the flea comb after each section before
moving onto another section.
How to Brush Your Coton de Tulear
Now follow the same steps, but this time using a pin brush. Continue to follow the same order,
same combing of small sections at a time, and combing down to the skin.
- Start with the head. Using the wide-tooth portion of the poodle comb. Start at the bottom
of the chin and work your way up the face. Remember to comb in the direction of hair growth. - Next move to the ears. Comb down vertically in the direction of the hair growth.
- Then the chest, starting at the closest point to the chin and working your way down.
Continue to comb down in the direction of the hair growth. Make sure to be gentle around the
sensitive belly area. - Then the sides, while alternating laying on each side. Remember to comb in the direction
of the hair growth. - Then the front legs and then the back legs, starting at the furthest most point of the toes
and working your way up to the thigh. Pay special attention to the intersection where the legs
meet the body, as this area is prone to matting. - Lastly, the tail.
Tips for Maintaining Your Coton de Tulear’s Coat
To keep your doggo’s coat healthy, you should brush and comb it regularly. Here are some tips:
- Brush their entire coat at least 3x/a week, preferably daily
- Use a pin brush or *slicker brush to remove tangles and mats. (Slicker brushes should
only be used by professionals, because if used incorrectly, it will be very painful) - Use a comb to remove loose hair and debris.
- Be gentle and avoid pulling or tugging on the coat.
- Pay special attention to areas that are prone to tangles, such as the intersection where
the legs meet the body - If you encounter a mat, use your fingers first. A detangling spray and/or dematting tool or
scissors to carefully remove it are also options. - Always give a treat and praise for good behavior.
By following these tips, you can maintain your Coton de Tulear’s coat and keep it looking healthy and shiny.
As long as you are able to maintain regular brushing, shedding will be minimal.