Grooming Tools to Help Keep Dogs Cool in Hot Weather

Not all dogs can get a short hair cut for hot weather. Double-coated dogs and those that are kept primarily outside should not be shaved down. There are some grooming tools that help dog owners keep their pets cooler. Removing the dead fur from the undercoat not only helps ensure healthy skin, it promotes new hair growth.

Shedding Comb
A shedding comb is best recognized by its combination of long and short tines. The comb is specifically made to reach under the guard hairs of double-coated dogs and remove loose and dead hair from the dog's undercoat. Double-coated dogs "blow" their coats twice a year, usually in spring and fall. This means their bodies release the old hair and re-grow the undercoat. Use the shedding comb on the entire coat, concentrating on the mane and loin areas, in an up and outward motion.

Slicker Brush
The slicker brush is a wide flat brush with many short metal tines, curved at the ends for loose hair removal. While often used for finishing a groom, the slicker brush is also used to loosen dead hair from the dog's undercoat by brushing the coat in the opposite direction of hair growth. Use an upward motion and start at the tail area for best results. Use the slicker brush in combination with the shedding comb to remove a large amount of the undercoat from the dog.

Stripping Comb
The stripping comb, or stripping knife, doubles as a mat breaker. This comb is made of small sharp curved blades and should not be used by inexperienced groomers. A stripping comb cuts the hair while releasing the undercoat fur. Keep a straight wrist while combing down the dog's back in the direction of hair growth. Using any upward motion cuts the guard hairs from the coat, leaving an uneven look. Use the stripping comb from the neckline to the loin in smooth motions, rotating from side to side. Do not concentrate in any single area or you will leave a hole in the coat. The stripping comb is used on wiry haired breeds like the West Highland Terrier and the Schnauzer to thin the coat to the desired length and remove the undercoat.

Furminator
The Furminator is a tool used for carding dogs. Groomers can also use a #40 clipper blade (not attached to a clipper) with the cutting edge removed, but the Furminator offers a much more comfortable handle. The blade looks like a clipper blade, made of very short sharp tines that grab the undercoat and pull it out without hurting the dog. Work in small sections, rotating around the dog's body in the same way you use a stripping comb. Always comb in the direction of hair growth. Concentrate on the mane and loin (above the tail) areas of the dog. With your free hand, pull the dog's coat taught away from you as you work for an even appearance. Use this grooming tool on dogs that shed heavily like German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers.

The undercoat is an important part of a dog's natural cooling system. Removing it completely by shaving them down usually does more harm than good. By using any of the grooming tools listed pet owners can cut down on shedding and help keep their dogs cooler without having to shave them down when it gets hot outside.

Sources:
Carding by Sandy Blackburn
YouTube: Super Styling Session Tips: Hand Stripping & Carding Techniques in Pet Grooming