Dogs are the oldest and most loyal companions of man. Over the millennia, these amazing animals have turned from defenders and guards into our real companions and friends. And if once the dogs were a necessity, then today they are bred just for the fun of it. At the same time, the owners do not always imagine exactly how to care for the fluffy lump that appeared in their house. Sometimes improper care and feeding lead to the death of a pet, so before you start a particular breed of dog, try to learn more about the rules for caring for the animal. Many people like long-haired pets, because they are associated with something gentle and kind. However, dogs with long hair, despite the abundance of breeds and the differences between them, require special care. It consists not only in proper nutrition and walking, but also in other points that are important to know about when acquiring a new family member from the breeder. Today we will list and describe the most popular breeds of dogs with long hair, focusing on caring for them.
Features of the care of long-haired dogs
If it seems to you that the four-legged pet that has appeared in your house, requires only compliance with basic rules of care, then you are deeply mistaken. The fact is that each breed has its own characteristics, and therefore needs its own approach. In no case should you care for a dog with long hair in the same way as for a short-haired pet. This can lead to sad consequences and even the death of your pet. Therefore, if you have a puppy with a thick and long coat, then be prepared to spend time combing and bathing your pet. Moreover, it will be necessary to do this regularly, otherwise there will be no result from your actions.
General guidelines for caring for dogs with long hair are quite simple. Surely you saw how Afghan hounds or setters look luxurious at exhibitions. Their hair literally flows along the body and pleases the eye with a healthy shine, but a similar effect can be achieved only with regular combing. A comb for dogs with long hair should be wooden and have sparse teeth. Due to this, when combing, you do not injure the skin of the animal and can effectively remove excess hair so that it does not fall off.
Repeat the procedure daily, in extreme cases, reduce it to once every two days. However, in addition to this, the owner must take care of the hygienic haircut of his pet. It consists of shearing the hair between the fingers, above the eyes and around the anus. But even in the heat you should not completely deprive the animal of its cover. This mistake is sometimes made by inexperienced owners, guided by the desire to alleviate the condition of the pet in the summer heat. Why can not shear long-haired dogs? The answer to this question is extremely simple. Depriving the coat leads to the fact that the animal is disturbed by heat exchange and it can seriously become ill.
Do not forget about the rules of washing a dog with long hair. Keep in mind that such breeds are prone to dumping wool. As a result, warlocks are formed that interfere with the animals. Therefore, they need regular washing, this procedure should occur at least once a week. In the winter season, you can bathe your pet every fourteen days. At the same time, keep in mind that you can’t limit yourself to just washing your paws; you must immerse the entire dog in water.
In other respects, caring for different breeds of dogs with long hair is no different from conventional ones. Do not forget about walking your pet, visiting a veterinarian and drawing up the right diet. If you follow all the recommendations, your four-legged favorite will delight all family members with his friendship for a long time.
A few words about long-haired dogs
Today, there are about a hundred different breeds of dogs that delight in their long and thick coat. Some of them are intended for hunting, others for protection, and others are applicable as companions. However, the inhabitants conditionally divide them into large dogs with long hair and small ones. The latter are often called "dwarf" and they belong to the category of not cheap. A fashionable long-haired, expensive dog, bought in a kennel from a famous breeder, can cost from several tens to a couple of hundred thousand rubles.
As part of the article, we can’t talk about all these breeds, but we will mention the most interesting and bought ones. In the following sections, we will pay attention to small dogs with long hair and larger breeds. It is with them that we will begin.
Dog breed Afghan Hound: description
Judging by the name, it can be understood that this breed was bred in Afghanistan. In general, dog handlers characterize greyhounds as funny, active, playful and sociable animals. They get along easily with all family members and even get along well with other pets.
Despite the light temper of the representatives of this breed, it is recommended to buy such dogs mainly to experienced owners, because they require special care, which, most likely, a beginner will not cope with.
An adult dog can weigh up to thirty kilograms and reach up to seventy centimeters at the withers. The color of the Afghan hound is quite diverse. You can purchase a silver, black, gray or black and gray puppy. The breed standard in any of these cases will be traced.
If the family where the similar dog appeared consists of several people, then the puppy can choose several as an object of love and adoration. The animal draws closer to them more than everyone else, but will constantly demand in return attention and care.
The Afghan Hound gets along well with children, but still it is recommended to start it for people who do not have a small child. The fact is that the dog is very shy and does not respond well to sharp sounds. Therefore, children can undermine her fragile psyche.
It should be borne in mind that this breed is very difficult to tolerate hot and humid weather. At home in these seasons, the Afghan Hounds were in the mountains with their masters. Therefore, they are much more comfortable in a cool climate.
Haircuts for long-haired dogs of this breed are not contraindicated. However, they spoil the appearance of the animal. Therefore, experts advise cutting old animals and those that have already completed their show career.
Afghan Hound Care
This breed has a silky, long and thick coat. However, it brings a lot of worries to the owners.
When buying a puppy with an Afghan hound, it is worth considering that his hair is prone to stall. Therefore, you can not do without regular combing. In order to facilitate this process, you can sprinkle a wool coat with water. Otherwise, manipulations with the comb will further confuse the animal’s hair.
If the dog walked in bad weather and looks dirty, then it must be washed before the procedure. For this, a soft shampoo diluted with water is suitable, after which balm is applied. It will also be better to dilute it. Drying the hair of an animal with a hairdryer is only after blotting it with a towel. At the same time, do not forget that wet hair is best combed. It is necessary to start the procedure from the hind limbs from the roots to the tips.
It is noteworthy that for Afghan hounds it is recommended to purchase a metal brush, but tangled shreds of wool should be put in order only with your fingers. Keep in mind that a dog dips its long and beautiful ears very often in a bowl while eating. Puppies also tend to chew them, which leads to various injuries. Therefore, it is recommended to teach babies to bonnets, which at certain times will hold their ears.
It is recommended to wash the Afghan hound once every seven days. It is pleasant that the dog does not smell of dog at all and it is not prone to seasonal molting. The coat is being updated gradually, this process is practically not noticeable to the owners.
Longhair Dog: Collie
This breed is the favorite of children and is considered one of the most popular in Europe. Collie deserved this love because of her cheerful disposition and beauty.
Collies are magnificent nannies, so parents can absolutely safely leave their child with the dog. It will be carefully monitored, and the dog will not let anyone else stare near the baby. Collie is distinguished by kindness and responsiveness, he lends himself perfectly to training and from a very early age becomes a true friend for every member of the family.
Despite the fact that dogs of this breed emit only one leader, they are very attached to all household members. Therefore, swearing and quarrels are poorly tolerated. In this case, the character of the animal deteriorates, and it turns into a nervous and cowardly dog.
Collie is very patient, adores company and suffers from a lack of attention. They consider the property of the owner not only family members, but also all pets. For all of them, the dog will keep an eye on and guard.
This breed is not aggressive to strangers. However, in case of danger, the dogs can perfectly stand up for themselves and those for whom they are responsible.
To date, five species of collie have been bred, among them there are also short-haired specimens. However, most of these dogs are dense and beautiful coat, requiring special care.
How to care for a collie?
In order for your dog to retain its beauty for a long time, it must be combed out at least once every two days. Be sure to purchase a device such as a slitter cutter. Using it, putting an animal in order will be much easier. After all, his stiff hair, even after two walks, can fall into a huge tangle.
Keep in mind that you can comb the collie only by sprinkling the hair with water. In addition, it is necessary to apply a special technology to which the dog needs to be trained from puppyhood.
Since the collie’s hair is very thick, combing it in the usual way when the animal is standing will not work. It must be put on its side, and starting from the ridge, comb out strand after strand against the growth of wool.
Be sure to pay attention to the ears, hips, armpits and areas under the tail. In these places, the hair must be cut, otherwise the dog will suffer from parasites.
After bathing, the animal’s hair dries for a very long time and even if it looks dry, you should not go out with a dog. It usually takes at least five hours for the dog to dry completely.
Imperial dogs
Dwarf longhair dogs are some of the most expensive and popular. They were deduced purposefully, and therefore are very capricious in leaving and require very serious investments. Therefore, before you start such a companion, soberly assess your capabilities.
Shih Tzu babies, who as adults barely reach twenty-seven centimeters at the withers, have long enjoyed the great love of their masters. It is believed that the breed was bred in Tibet, however, some sources indicate that the llamas exported it from Byzantium. If you trust this version, then we can say that these babies have existed since the eight hundredth year of our era.
Shih Tzu was very fond of the Chinese emperors and for centuries could belong only to members of the imperial family. This left a definite imprint on the character of the animal and its exterior.
This breed is characterized by incredible peacefulness, pride and friendliness. Dogs get along with all members of the family, while they never emit a leader, sharing their love between all people. Other Shih Tzu pets are often simply ignored, so conflicts between animals are completely ruled out.
Dogs of this breed need constant communication, can do without physical activity and live about twenty years.
Features of hair care
Shih Tzu belong to those long-haired breeds that can be cut. Usually they are sheared “like a puppy”, which gives the animal an incredible charm. In this form, the dog looks like a cute and playful teddy bear.
However, with long hair, Shih Tzu is the embodiment of aristocracy. Long strands on the head are usually collected in the tail so that they do not interfere with the dog while eating and spoil the vision.
It is necessary to comb out the animal once every few days, but the owners should cut or pluck the hair in the ears regularly. Otherwise, your pet is guaranteed the inflammatory process of the auditory canal.
In order to make combing easier, wool can be sprayed with water. But keep in mind that Shih Tzu really do not like bathing. Despite this, water procedures should be regular. If you do not plan to exhibit, then you can wash the animal about once every two weeks or as it gets dirty.
English setter
The long-haired hunting dog English Setter is a noble and purebred dog. The history of the breed is rooted in antiquity and is an accurate reflection of English traditions. And this is not surprising, because the UK is officially recognized as the birthplace of the dog. And this happened around the middle of the nineteenth century, when the breed was presented at one of the exhibitions.
Setter attracts attention with its unusual color. His coat has several shades that form into spots. The smaller they are, the more appreciated the dog is in terms of exterior.
Since the breed was originally bred as a hunting one, it is not surprising that the dog constantly seeks to explore new territories. He is curious, cheerful, energetic and very hardy. This is evidenced by his physique. The setter looks strong, lean and lean. At the same time, the dog is extremely obedient, friendly and easy to train. He is sincerely devoted to one master and is ready to follow him wherever.
Setters are still used in bird hunting. In this matter, they fully trust their instincts. The dog is able to hear the game at great distances, and after that it is already impossible to keep it.
Today, representatives of this breed are often bred as companions. This is facilitated by their friendliness, love for young children and people in general. However, when starting an English setter, keep in mind that this breed needs long walks, spacious rooms and a company. If you can provide him with all of the above, then you will get a faithful and cheerful friend for all family members.
A few words about hair care
Dog handlers note that setters are extremely unpretentious and the longest coat will bring you the most problems. Ears also need regular care. From puppyhood, it is necessary to cut hair inside them. If you do not do this, then your pet will have ticks and in the future he will suffer from chronic otitis media.
Animal hair needs to be combed every day. It must be completely cut off on the pads of the paws, between the fingers and along the neck. To facilitate care, experts advise you to buy a rubber brush. It is very convenient to clean the coat of dust and dirt, after the animal is recommended to wipe against the growth of wool with a damp towel. This will be quite enough for dogs who do not like frequent bathing and are wary of them.
Of course, we talked about only a few representatives of long-haired dogs. In reality, almost everyone will be able to choose a suitable breed for themselves and acquire a fluffy pet that will give you their love and devotion in response to care and attention.