Grooming the Lhasa Apso

For the Family Pet

Being an experienced groomer myself for the last 7 years I have picked up tips that help anyone with a dog with a high maintinence coat. Yes it takes alot of patience and time to maintain that long and beautiful coat. Brushing is suggested, start this at 6 to 8 weeks of age you will be surprised to know, that your pup will like it if you make it a positive experience. And this should be done at least 2 to 3 times a day. You should trim the hair from the inner eyes and around the anal area. These are the first places that always seem to get the gunkies first. Here is a list of grooming tools you will need:

• Rounded end Shears - These come in two different sizes the small ones are fine for pups and for adults dogs.
• Nail Clippers with a safety tip and also a small bottle of Kwik-Stop
• Soft Slicker Brush Medium in size
• Metal Comb (Coarse)
• Dematting Comb / 9 Blade
• Ear Powder
• Dog Clippers - the good kind if your into groom the dog yourself: I use Oster A-5 with a # 5f Blade when keeping my female short. And give her a teddy bear face and keep the tail at medium length. You will need to pull the hair out of the inner ear, sprinkle a small amount of ear powder then pull out gently. I always trim the hair on the bottom of the pads.

  What about that Big Mat?

  Well there are two things you can do: First, saturate the mat with a conditioner (one for tangles) and work the mat by pulling the mat apart gently. Then comb out as you work through it. Second, you can use your dematting comb but be gentle for this can pull at the mat. If all eles fails and the mat is too big and close to the skin take your clippers and use the #5 blade.

  Grooming for the Show Ring

  In grooming for the show ring you will never trim the eye area. There is some cream and or powder to help in training the hair to lay down. You will be combing the dogs hair at least 3 times a day and you will have to work out the mats by hand. You will only round the paw area slightly. The anal area is clipped but not to much, just enough for the anal ring to show. You will have to wash the dog at least 2 times a week with a professional shampoo and conditioner. And keep a moisturizing spray on the hair during the week. If you're willing to do this and are serious about showing you can register the dog in a show when the dog is 6 months of age. I recommend if you are going to show to get as much information on showing available. You will have to start the training when the dog is 12 weeks old. So call AKC for more information. You will need to know the standard for the breed and also learn how to train and handle the dog in the ring. Or you can hire a professional handler.

  • Weaning why start at 4 weeks?
  • What is the first series and how many does the pup need?
  • Potty Training the 10 Commanments
  • Obedience, where to start
  • A Unique Breed
  • TAZ our stud
  • Grooming for the family pet or for the Show Dog
  • Lhasa Apso Breeders
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