Dalmation Grooming
Low Maintenance Dogs

Unlike a lot of dog breeds, dals and dalmation grooming does not require a lot of time or expense!

Bath time

Dalmation and Paint

With a short coat and their natural tendancy to keep clean, this breed does not require a bath more than once a month or so. Unless, of course, they have been running through mud or happily rolling around in something they think smells divine (and you think smells to high heaven)!

Since this breed does tend to have sensitive skin, make sure you are using a shampoo which will not dry out or irritate it. Your vet or groomer can recommend products or you can go on-line and research products on your own.

As with any dog, make sure to rinse, rinse, rinse! Soaps left on the skin can cause irritation.

I have very sensitive skin so my human has to be careful what she uses on me during bath time. We have found that shampoos made with oatmeal or tea tree oil work the best! Even my adopted sister, a golden retriever who often gets hot spots, likes these kind of shampoos.

Dalmations (ok, Dalmatians) have nails that grow VERY fast and get very long so this is a dalmation grooming procedure that you shouldn't put off for long periods of time. Long nails also pick up a lot of dirt and germs which, during scratching, can be transferred to the skin which often leads to skin irritations. Also, their long nails can get very sharp which leads to nasty unintentional scratches on their human family during playtime.

Unfortunately, most dogs do not like having their nails clipped! Unless you start nail clipping at an early age and get your dog used to the procedure, it can be a real struggle between the person doing the clipping and your pet when it comes time to have it done. Most often, the dog will win the struggle. Even the most sweet tempered family pet may have to wear a muzzle at nail clipping time! Believe me, dalmation grooming of the nails doesn't have to be an all out war.

My advice? Unless you have had guideance along with a lot of practice, leave the nail clipping to a professional. If you do not know what you are doing, you can cut the vein in the nail or cut the soft tissue around the toe which is upsetting to you and painful for your dog.

Brushing the Coat

Lucky for you this breed has a coat that does not require regular detangling or special cutting techniques. Dalmation grooming, when it comes to the coat, is simple. Brush it once a week. If you want to keep the shedding down, brush it more often.

Do remember, however, that this breed does tend to have sensitive skin so use a light touch, especially if you are using a shedding tool rather than a bristled dog brush.

In Summary

Dals really are a low maintenance dog when it comes to grooming. Whether your dalmation grooming is done by yourself or by a professional, it is a good way to check your pet for anything out of the ordinary on or under the skin. You can keep many problems from getting worse when you find them early!

Wanna Smooch?

Also, being personally involved in your pet's grooming process is a great way for some additional bonding! You may find yourself rewarded with lots of doggie kisses!