Pride and groom: not just a matter of vanity. While some people primp and preen their dogs to within an inch of their life – or worse, shave them for their own convenience, all dogs need regular grooming to keep them healthy.

All dogs lose hair, even the so-called non-shedding breeds. Removing dirt and dead hair from the coat is essential and provides an opportunity for checking for anything that may be unusual – lumps, bumps and minor wounds that can be easy to overlook, as well as accustoming your puppy to being handled.

Puppies need thick, downy coats while they are too small to regulate their temperate well, but the fuzzy coat will be shed as the puppy grows up which can be any time between 4 months and a year. Puppy coats are pretty easy to maintain but it is still important to accustom a puppy to being groomed, especially if the adult coat will require a lot of maintenance, or if like Travis, your dog will be entered in the show ring when you can have pride in your groom(ing)!

There are many types of coat; your breeder or local dog groomer can help you to choose the correct tools for the job to keep your dog healthy, happy and looking’s best. Good groomers offer short puppy sessions and, if you do decide not to go down the route of DIY, do your homework and vet the groomer. Whilst grooming is still unregulated in the UK, look out for qualifications such as City & Guilds certificates and membership of organisations such as the British Dog Groomers Association.

Travis has inherited genes from both parents for having a long coat and shedding so no time like the present!

Next week: A Bee In His Bonnet

Meanwhile, why not check out R+Dog Training Puppy Start Right Courses  and the Happy Grooming Sessions Course, and register for the new Puppy Social Walk in Chiswick House grounds.