What does dog grooming actually mean and does your dog need it? Simply put, grooming is the care and tidying of the coat, but it is much more than just a matter of appearance. At Tassu & Tassu pet hotel, we see daily how vital regular coat care is for a dog’s wellbeing.
Proper grooming keeps the dog tidy, promotes skin and coat health, prevents tangles, and supports the body’s temperature regulation. It is an essential part of a dog’s basic healthcare.
Why does a dog’s coat require grooming?
Although not all dogs need regular grooming, for many breeds it is essential for health and hygiene reasons.
1. Prevention of tangles: Long and coarse coats can easily become tangled. Small tangles quickly grow into large, painful mats that tighten the skin, prevent it from breathing, and expose it to infections. From our experience, preventing tangles is always easier than dealing with them once they occur.
2. Hygiene and comfort: Short coats are easier to keep clean as they collect less dirt, mud, and debris. Keeping the areas around the paws, belly, and rear tidy is particularly important for hygiene and the dog’s comfort.
3. Temperature regulation: Many mistakenly think that shaving a thick coat cools the dog in summer. However, for breeds with a thick undercoat, the coat acts as insulation against heat as well. Proper grooming, such as removing the undercoat, helps air circulate and supports the dog’s own temperature regulation more effectively than shaving it bald.
The most common grooming techniques – what are the differences?
The groomer selects the technique based on the dog’s breed, coat type, and desired outcome. The most common methods are cutting, stripping, and undercoat removal.
Cutting with scissors or clippers (shaving)
Cutting is the most well-known method. It is suitable for breeds whose coats grow continuously, such as poodles, bichon frisés, and some terriers. The coat can be shaped with scissors or clipped to a uniform short length. Clipping is quick, but it is not suitable for all coat types – for example, shaving a coat that should be stripped can permanently ruin its texture.
Stripping
Stripping is a specialised technique for rough-coated breeds, such as most terriers (e.g. Jack Russell, Cairn) and dachshunds. In this method, the old, dead topcoat is removed by hand or with a stripping knife. When done at the right time, it does not hurt the dog, as the mature hair easily comes out of its follicles. Stripping maintains the coat’s rough, water- and dirt-repellent texture and bright colours, unlike clipping.
Undercoat removal and shaving
Many breeds, such as German Shepherds, corgis, and spaniels, have a double coat: a soft undercoat and a coarser topcoat. During shedding, removing the old undercoat helps the skin breathe and prevents tangling. Special brushes and combs are used for undercoat removal, which detach the dead wool without damaging the topcoat. We often refer to this as ”shaving down”.
What does grooming mean to us at Tassu & Tassu?
Tassu & Tassu is not a full-service grooming salon, but for us, coat care is a central part of a pet’s overall wellbeing. Our trained staff, who are qualified animal caregivers, handle a variety of dogs daily, including shy rescue dogs, and take care of their basic needs with professionalism.
During the grooming session, we offer additional services such as light tidying, which makes your pet feel more comfortable:
- Light grooming: Tidying of paw hair, between the pads, ear hair, and hygiene areas.
- Nail trimming: An important procedure that prevents misalignments and pain.
- Washing: Basic wash with high-quality, dog-friendly products.
- Ear cleaning: Particularly important for floppy-eared breeds to prevent infections.
These services are a convenient addition to the grooming session, for example during a holiday: you will receive your dog back well cared for, refreshed, and tidy. Our location next to Raide-Jokeri and the train station ensures easy transport links, making it effortless to drop off and pick up your pet even while on the way to the airport or port.
Is your dog coming to us for care and could use some coat tidying at the same time? Or would you like to discuss what kind of care your dog’s coat needs? We are happy to help.
Book a grooming session on our website or get in touch, and let’s plan a suitable care package for your pet.
Frequently asked questions
How often should a dog be groomed?
The grooming interval depends entirely on the breed, coat type, and length. Some breeds, such as poodles, require tidying every 6–8 weeks, while the stripping interval for rough-coated terriers is typically 3–6 months. For many, a thorough treatment 2–4 times a year during shedding is sufficient. However, the most important thing is regular brushing at home.
Does stripping hurt the dog?
When done correctly and at the right time, stripping does not hurt the dog. The hair being stripped is ”mature,” meaning dead, and it easily comes out of its follicles, making way for new hair. If stripping is attempted at the wrong time or on the wrong type of coat, it can be uncomfortable for the dog. Therefore, it is always best to leave this work to a professional.
Can a long-haired dog be shaved bald in summer?
We do not recommend it, especially for double-coated breeds (e.g. huskies, Samoyeds). The undercoat acts as insulation against both cold and heat. Removing it disrupts the dog’s natural temperature regulation and exposes the skin to sunburn. Thinning the coat and removing dead undercoat is a much better way to help the dog stay cool.
What does ”light grooming” mean at your place?
At Tassu & Tassu, light grooming is a maintenance service offered during the grooming session, focusing on the dog’s comfort and tidiness. It typically includes tidying the paw hair between the pads, shortening any obstructive eyebrow hairs, and cleaning the rear area for hygiene reasons. This is not a breed-standard show trim, but practical care.