Features of the coat
The Labrador's coat consists of wool and undercoat. The wool has a dense structure, which gives the impression that it is tough. Straight hairs are of medium length. The Labrador's undercoat is soft but very dense. This feature allows the dog to survive the winter and swim in cold water without discomfort.
It is believed that the characteristics of a Labrador's coat directly depend on its color. Thus, black and chocolate dogs have thicker and thicker hair. Also, Labradors with dark coats have active glands that secrete natural lubricants that protect the coat from drying out. This is the reason why it shines. Fawn Labradors have less coarse and thick hair.
One of the characteristics of the Labrador breed is shedding, which occurs several times a year. During the molting period, the dog's fur falls out rapidly. At the same time, the thickness of the “fur coat” remains the same. In female dogs, hair loss is caused by hormonal changes observed 1-2 months before estrus. In males, shedding is associated with the change of seasons.
Shedding creates a lot of trouble for Labrador owners, especially if the dog is kept in an apartment. However, proper care of your pet's fur will shorten the shedding period and reduce the intensity of hair loss.
Basic types of haircuts
Labrador haircuts can be of the following types::
- Puppy . Grooming is used quite rarely and only in those conditions when the excess hair on the puppy’s body really bothers him.
- For boys . Emphasizes the physique so that no one has any doubt that this is a male. Refers to a type of exhibition haircut (shown in the photo below).
- For girls . Also classified as exhibition. Some areas on the Labrador's body are left long to emphasize the gracefulness of the dog.
- Exhibition _ This type of haircut can only be done by a professional groomer. Its task is to emphasize the natural lines of the dog and its advantages.
- Hygienic . This type can be done yourself at home. It involves trimming the hair on the paws between the toes, around the genitals and anus. If necessary, vegetation removal is performed on the inner surface of the thigh.
Remember that the best haircut for a Labrador is one that looks natural and discreet.
For boys
There is one standard type of haircut for Labrador males.
Removes feathering on the legs and too long hair on the hips, belly and tail.
This emphasizes the dog’s natural advantages, its strength, and also allows experts to observe the dog’s physique during activity when assessing.
For girls
This view is slightly different from the previous one. For girls, in addition to physical fitness, the grace with which she moves plays a big role.
To highlight the natural features of the bitch, groomers leave hair on the belly and chest.
Girls with boyish haircuts evoke mixed responses from the commission at exhibitions and competitions, which is something males avoid.
Bathing
A healthy dog of this breed has an almost imperceptible smell of fur. However, excessive accumulation of natural lubricants mixed with dirt and dust particles can cause an unpleasant odor. Bathing a dog using a special shampoo allows you to thoroughly clean the coat of dust and dead skin particles.
When analyzing such a component of grooming as bathing, you first need to consider how often it is necessary to thoroughly wash your Labrador. To keep your dog's coat clean and beautiful, one or two baths every 3 months is enough. Excessive use of this hygiene procedure will lead to the leaching of the natural lubricant secreted by the skin, causing your pet's coat to become too dry and dull. In addition, frequent use of shampoo leads to peeling of the skin, which can cause itching in the dog.
To properly wash your Labrador's fur, you need to purchase a special shampoo at a pet store or veterinary pharmacy. Preference should be given to products for large straight-haired breeds, which include Labrador. There is an opinion that representatives of this breed are prone to allergies, so when choosing a shampoo you need to purchase a hypoallergenic hygiene product. Shampoo is used in accordance with the instructions.
After bathing, the pet's coat should be dried naturally, thoroughly blotting it with a terry towel. After the procedure, make sure that the dog is not in a draft.
If bathing does not help solve the problem of unpleasant odor in your dog's fur, you need to discuss the problem with your veterinarian. Perhaps the dog's bad odor is associated with fungal skin diseases or vitamin deficiency.
How often should the procedure be performed?
Labrador coat care depends on the time of year:
- In winter, the Labrador's coat does not need to be trimmed. It is enough just to comb out or cut off tangles in a timely manner if they form.
- In summer things are more complicated. If you have made such a decision, you should cut your Labrador's hair no more than once a week, even with the most abundant hair. The best option is once every week and a half. Dogs need to be brushed at approximately the same frequency.
Labradors love having their fur treated, so you can easily turn this process into a game..
Combing
Despite the fact that the Labrador has a straight coat that does not tangle or tangle, it still needs to be brushed regularly. For this procedure, purchase two special combs:
- furminator;
- brush with metal teeth.
The Furminator is a comb equipped with a long handle and a special attachment that delicately removes dead hair that has fallen out during the shedding process. The use of a furminator allows you to achieve the following goals:
- speed up the molting process;
- clean the animal's fur from loose hairs;
- distribute natural skin lubricant evenly.
The Furminator is used 1-2 times a month. This device is used only after bathing.
A comb with metal teeth is also a must-have for your Labrador. It is used to comb out thorns, dirt and insects, in particular harmful mites.
How to properly care for your fur
Labrador coat care consists of the following procedures::
- Combing the undercoat with a comb with straight metal teeth;
- Combing with a stiff metal brush with crooked teeth (slicker brush);
- Combing with a silicone glove or rubber brush;
- A haircut.
Combing with a straight-toothed comb is only necessary during active shedding periods. You need to scratch in the direction of hair growth in the back and tail area.
Combing with a slicker is done along the growth of the spine, then against and again along the growth.
This should be done with special care in the area of the lower chest and paws.
Combing with a rubber comb or silicone glove is done only from head to tail. It is needed to give shine to the dog’s appearance.
You need to trim the feathers on the paws, the tail and the area between the toes. A full haircut is suitable for a dog living in an apartment.
It is not recommended to bathe your Labrador with various shampoos too often . This is necessary to avoid washing off the protective layer from the hair, which prevents the dog from getting wet. To eliminate a specific odor, use dry shampoos.
How much does grooming a Labrador cost?
The cost of grooming depends on the salon, the professional skills of the groomer, and the age of the dog . Grooming a puppy costs an order of magnitude higher.
IMPORTANT!
The average price for a full range of services is about two thousand rubles.
There are higher prices, but the choice of salon is always up to the owner.
At the same time, many salons offer owners to create a list of procedures that the dog needs, and then announce the price . This way you can avoid overpaying for something you can provide for your pet yourself.
Vitamins and microelements
To maintain the health of a Labrador's coat, a full range of vitamins and microelements is required, obtained from the food that the pet eats daily. The diet should be enriched with vitamins A, E and PP, as well as calcium and magnesium. A large amount of these biologically active substances are contained in such products as beef, buckwheat, sea fish, carrots, vegetable oil, and cottage cheese. If you feed your pet dry food, then this product should be enriched with vitamins, macro- and microelements necessary for the health of the fur.
Multivitamin complexes for a Labrador should be prescribed by a veterinarian if the animal’s body has a need for additional biologically active substances.
Outdoor content
Labradors are a domestic breed, and it is highly undesirable for them to constantly live outside.
This especially applies to puppies, who are sociable and affectionate creatures. Labradors living in a private home are the luckiest of all, because they are provided not only with cozy housing, but also with an excellent playground. As in the apartment, an enclosure for the dog is being built in the yard, in which the place of the bed should be taken by a full-fledged kennel on an elevated island. A Labrador's kennel must be large and strong so that the dog can fit in it completely and comfortably. Standard kennel sizes for this breed are 110 cm in length, 90 cm in width and 80 cm in height.
In addition to the booth, there should be a feeding area with bowls filled with fresh water and food, a canopy that creates shade, and toys. When letting the puppy out of the enclosure, make sure that he does not come across trash in the yard or food waste. In addition, Labradors are capable of digging, so the fence and walls of the enclosure must be strong.
Warning signs
If you notice patchy baldness, dandruff, or a strong unpleasant odor emanating from the dog’s fur, your pet should be immediately taken to the veterinarian. These symptoms indicate skin diseases that have a negative impact on the growth and condition of the coat.
Taking care of the beauty and cleanliness of the coat is an essential component of your pet’s hygiene. If you have any questions regarding coat care, consult a specialist.
Should you cut your hair yourself or leave it to a professional?
When solving this question, the answer is obvious.
If you have enough skills to groom a dog, you can do it yourself. But in the case when you have never picked up a machine in your life, it is better not to take risks, but to give the dog into the hands of a master.
A groomer is a specialist whose purpose is to give the dog a harmonious and aesthetic appearance . His list of services includes not only hair cutting, but also cleaning, styling, and even nail trimming.
Remember that the appearance of your pet directly depends on the ability to use the machine.
If you doubt your abilities, leave this matter to a professional, because careless movement can injure the dog.
