4 Things to know before taking a labrador to the groomers
August 14, 2023 3:49 pm
The Labrador! The perfect family pet with the best nature around. They are affectionate and loving pets that bond well with the entire family, making them one of the easiest breeds to bring into a household with children. But being a great family pet doesn’t make them easy to groom. So, how difficult is it to maintain your dog’s coat at home, and what should you know before taking your labrador to the dog groomer?
1- How often should you groom a Labrador?
Tuft Ambassador and experienced dog groomer Lindsey Warren, from Lush Puppy Dog Grooming, says it depends on the owner’s preference on how often a Labrador should be professionally groomed. Owners might find nails need cutting anything from every two weeks to every six months, depending on whether they naturally wear their nails down. Regular professional grooms can help remove the edge of moulting, but it will never stop them from losing hair, as their hair has a short lifecycle ‘grow and shed, then grow and shed.’
Regular dog grooming checkups provide your labrador with a full-body MOT. Dog groomers will naturally search every inch of your dog, looking for possible health hazards, like parasites or grass seeds, and can even spot health defects that may go unnoticed due to the thick coat labradors have.
Ensuring your Labrador gets some good grooming time, professionally and at home is essential. Dog groomers suggest that labradors get regularly groomed to remove dead hair, nail clippings, or unwanted environmental factors like pollen build-ups. Ask your groomer for grooming recommendations that will suit your dog.
2- What to expect on arrival at a dog groomer
Every Labrador is different; almost all groomers must see your dog before grooming them. Some groomers might ask you to complete a questionnaire and send in a recent picture of your dog. But some groomers might require an in-depth discussion with you on arrival. It’s down to the groomer’s personal preference. Before beginning, groomers must understand your dog’s physical and mental requirements.
Another Tuft Ambassador, Lucy Baker, from Shaggy & Chic, says some people ask to stay with their dogs while they are groomed because the dog is very anxious. So it’s important to let your dog groomer understand your Labrador’s needs before grooming. Consultations will give you a realistic time frame and cost for your dog’s appointment and help your groomer to groom your dog the best way they can.
Regular customers will need to check in too. Your Labrador’s health, mental health, and personality may change over time; it’s only natural. This could be because of seasonal factors, life stage changes, or hormonal changes. For example, if you plan on breeding your Labrador, your groomer will need to know well in advance to ensure they groom the pooch before any possible issues arise. There is a lot to think about. Be prepared for a short in-depth meeting on arrival to discuss your Labrador’s dog grooming needs.
3- How often should you brush and bathe your Labrador?
Lindsey Warren says it’s a personal preference for how often you should brush your Labrador. If they shed a lot, it could be once a day; if not, it could be once a week or even once every couple of weeks. It depends on how often you, as the owner, want to keep on top of the dog shedding. If your Labrador sheds a lot, be prepared for regular brushing.
We would recommend 3 brushes for Labradors.
- Mutneys Slicker Brush (Medium, Soft Pin) (Mutneys Slicker Brushes | Dog Grooming | Mutneys) – everyday use.
- Rubber Massage Pad (Rubber Massage Grooming Pad For Dogs | Ancol | Mutneys) – particularly for use in the bath!
- Mutneys Coat Masters (20 Blade) (Mutneys Coat Masters | Dog Grooming Tools | Mutneys) – great to remove loose undercoat in labradors!
Bathing your Labrador once every couple of months is ideal. It allows them to keep their coat in prime condition and ensures less loose hair around the house. There are a lot of great deshedding products out there that work well with Labradors.
4- What is the most important part of a Labrador to groom?
Lindsey Warren also says the most essential part of getting a Labrador groomed is getting their nails done. Lindsey says to keep an eye out for how your dog’s foot rubs against the floor.
Depending on the Labrador’s foot posture, their nails might naturally rub/wear on the floor, meaning they might not need cutting often. Or it could be the opposite, where the foot posture is bad, and their nails might never rub across the floor, regularly resulting in long nails that ultimately affect how the dog walks if they are not taken care of. It’s recommended nails are clipped once every month to keep on top of foot problems.
For more tips and insights before taking your dog to the groomer, check out our other blogs here.
If you’re looking to book a dog grooming appointment, download Tuft below and find a groomer near you.