Grooming Tips for the Labrador retriever

Your Labrador is characterized by a short, smooth coat, which hardly tends to tangle. Mostly, the black, chocolate or yellow coat is consistently monochrome. Its dense, fluffy undercoat protects the Labrador from cold and wet. Sebaceous glands provide a special protective film that makes the coat water repellent.

In a healthy Labrador, grooming is not very complicated. A certain regularity should be pursued. Twice a year there is a change of coat, which means that the care is increased in the short term. With the right accessories and knowledge, grooming a Labrador is easy all year round:

Brush your Labrador regularly

The Labrador is one of the easy-care dog breeds. He has a very short coat, which is best brushed twice a week. The care of the coat does especially good because the brushing promotes circulation. In addition, any wounds, sw​ellings or parasites can be detected quickly. If your furry friend likes to be brushed, of course, you can also treat him more often with a brush massage.

The perfect brush for your Labrador

Especially pleasant for the dog is a nap brush or a pimple glove that massage the animal at the same time. Use of a sharp-toothed comb or a wire bristle brush, however, should be dispensed with. They are not necessary due to the shortness of the coat and can even cause injuries.

Why should I brush my dog?

The main purpose of brushing is to rid the coat of loose, short hair from the undercoat. In addition, it removes dead skin cells, which can otherwise cause itching in the dog.

Tips for a shiny coat

A particularly shiny coat occurs with normal grooming but is increased with the use of a natural bristle hair brush. This allows the natural oils of the skin to be evenly distributed in the coat. In addition, it removes dead skin cells and dust significantly better, thus preventing a matted-looking top coat.

Oils for extra shine in the coat

Also effective for shine in the coat are various home remedies and especially oils. The latter not only maintains but also provides an extra dose of shine in the coat of the Labrador. In addition to the outer application, you can also provide from the inside for a shiny coat. A raw egg in the feed, brewer's yeast, thistle or wheat-germ oil can do wonders. Also, algae preparations can provide shine in the coat of your favorite Labrador.

Should I bathe my Labrador?

The Labrador usually does not need to be bathed. In the most extreme emergency, this may be necessary if, for example, the dog has made intimate friendship with a mud puddle. Then a bath in lukewarm water is sufficient - dog shampoo should be waived since shampoo can affect the water-repellent properties of the coat. Labradors have a special protective film that is formed by the sebaceous glands. The cleansing substances in the shampoo can destroy it and even lead to a cold the next time the dog rolls in a puddle or jumps into a pond.

What to do if the dog fur smells?

Warm water is not enough and the coat of your Labradors smells unpleasant? Then try to get relief with apple cider vinegar. This is particularly mild and is, therefore, the best. Use a generous amount on a cloth and rub down your wet furry friend with it. Then you rinse it off with plenty of clear water. When the Labrador is dry, the foul smell should be gone without the protective film being destroyed.

Dog shampoos for grooming the lab

If the apple cider vinegar treatment still did not do the trick, you should use a particularly mild dog shampoo and use this very sparingly, so that the natural protective film is not overly stressed. Excessive bathing with shampoo can even lead to skin diseases in the Labrador, which is why special care is important here. In a pinch, we here at Ruffwood Labs will give our labs a good rub-down with a dryer sheet. This removes any dirt and particles from their coat, removes loose hair and leaves them smelling "Fresh as Rain" or whatever your preferred scent may be!

Other areas also require maintenance

Ruffwood Labs also suggest keeping nails trimmed to prevent snags and chipping. Take care as to not trim nails to short. A good quality trimmer should always be used for a clean cut and a little filing for a smooth finish. Teeth are another area that require attention. If started at a young age, most labradors to not mind having their teeth brushed on a regular basis, this prevents gum disease and allows you to keep an eye on the health of their teeth. Chew bones are wonderful for your dog, but may not provide adequately for the removal of plaque build. Up along the back teeth and near the gum line. And Always check your labradors ears, dirty ears in a lab means their could be a health issue. Keep your labs ears clean and dry to prevent ear mites and infection. A good wipe with a damp cloth usually does the trick.

Happy Labradors are well-groomed Labradors!