Short-hair dog coats and how to groom them

We love dogs with short-haired coats because they are considered low maintenance, meaning more time can be invested in having fun with our pets! We want you to be able to care for your dog’s coat properly and keep it in tip-top condition. Continue reading for our tips and grooming product favourites.

What are the characteristics of a short-haired dog coat?

Short-haired dogs have a beautiful smooth coat of suede-like fur that looks like it needs no care at all. It is certainly a very practical coat type. You won’t have to spend time detangling long dog hair every day or stressing about matted fur. You can even save money by not taking your dog to the groomer every month as the fur doesn’t need trimming.

Alas, your short-haired dog still sheds just as much as long-haired dog breeds. In fact, they shed all year round! Frequent home grooming is essential to aid the shedding process and maintain healthy skin and fur.

If you have a short-haired dog with a single coat of fur it will leave less hair on your clothes and furniture, but keep in mind that they are missing that dense undercoat and are less insulated. You might need to stock up on cosy jumpers and a coat to keep out the winter chill.

It is also a myth that dogs with short hair are hypoallergenic. The fur itself is not the problem. “Dander”, or skin cells, flake off exacerbating symptoms for people who suffer from allergies. This is why non-moulting dogs like poodles are generally considered to be the more hypoallergenic option.

Dog breeds which have short-haired type coats

Dogs with naturally short fur may have evolved this way to facilitate hunting and survival. Short fur on dogs aids agility and speed. The hair lays flat against the body providing less resistance from the wind when the dog runs. This makes them streamlined and able to move more efficiently through the environment when hunting.

Here are some dog breeds that have short-haired coats:

• Whippet
• Greyhound
• Great Dane
• Short-haired Dachshund
• Staffordshire Terrier
• Weimaraner
• Labrador
• Dalmatian
• Boxer
• Pug

How to care for your short-haired dog

Dogs with short-haired coats require minimal daily grooming, but they still need regular maintenance.

At home

Because short-haired dogs shed all year round, regular brushing at home not only helps clean their coats and keep skin healthy, it also helps to keep your house clean, catching dead hair before it sheds.

Regular bathing removes dead hair and dander too - highly recommended if you like to sleep alongside your dog or if they enjoy lounging on your furniture!

At the groomers

Just because your dog doesn’t need a haircut, it doesn’t mean you should skip trips to the groomers. Your groomer is still important. They can perform treatments that contribute to your dog’s overall health and wellbeing.

Services like nail-clipping, ear-cleaning, and even teeth-brushing and anal-gland-checks are all activities you may find difficult to perform yourself. It is not recommended to clean your own dog’s ears or empty their anal glands if you don’t know what you are doing.

Useful grooming products

We know that you will probably want to do most of your short-haired dog’s grooming at home. So we have compiled our favourite product recommendations.

Shampoos

Aloe/Avocado Deep Cleansing Shampoo

Formulated with naturally-derived ingredients, this premium cleanser gently removes impurities and dead skin build-up. It is enriched with vitamins and proteins which hydrate and moisturise to reduce hair breakage and promote shine.

Hypoallergenic Fragrance Free Shampoo

A wash that is mild and gentle, and which contains no irritants, making it the only option for dogs with short-haired coats who suffer with sensitive or dry skin.

Grooming tools

Zoom Groom

This unique rubber brush gently massages and promotes blood circulation for healthy skin, easily removing and collecting dead hair. Use it dry like a normal brush pre-bathing or as a lathering tool with our shampoos

Eye & wrinkle wipes

These are great if you have a dog with a wrinkly face like a pug or bulldog. They are gentle and sensitive so that you can safely clean gunk from difficult areas around the eyes, helping to keep skin folds clean and healthy.

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