Before you zero in on a particular breed, please consider what type of care that breed will need, and the associated costs involved. Start by thinking about their coat and hair and what will be necessary for your dog’s upkeep. Some breeds have short hair and are pretty much wash and go. Others will need hair trimming fairly often, or they may need to have hair de-matted regularly. Some dogs will shed prolifically and the sweeping never ends, while others may have undercoats that need to be brushed out in certain seasons. Making sure the dog or puppy’s grooming needs won’t conflict with your expectations or break your budgeting is a good place to start!

For many breeds, trips to a groomer will be part of what is needed every month or so. At the groomers they will be given a trim/shaping according to the breed standard, have their claws clipped, perhaps ear hair and paw hair will be groomed, and they may get washed and blow-dried. Many Toy, Terrier, and Companion breeds will need this type of care. If the breed you want requires regular grooming please know the costs of local groomers *before* you get the pup! This can add an extra $50 or more for each visit every few weeks or month, so be aware before you commit to the breed.

Much of the grooming needs could be done by owner with the right equipment. I have used this nail trimmer and something similar to this nail grinder with decent results. I don’t tend to have dogs that need regular hair-trimming so all I can suggest is looking for grooming clips on youtube to see which trimmers you prefer. I have had neighbors who used a regular man’s hair trimmer with success, but I don’t really recommend it. I think dog clippers would have better safety shields for canines.

After clipping, many like to adorn their dogs with cute bows and barrettes to keep hair out of eyes. The ones I linked I haven’t used but I thought they were adorable. The dogs don’t NEED these to see but they won’t hurt so adorn away 🙂

Many dog breeds out there would be fine with just an occasional bath and brushing. I prefer gentle soaps like Avon’s Skin So Soft or an oatmeal based one. Dogs and puppies have different skin needs than we do so they need soaps that won’t irritate their skin. They will all need attention to their nails so try to get them used to having their nails clipped when they are young puppies.

The grooming needs of your future dog have to fit into your lifestyle of how much you are willing to invest in either trips to a groomer or into how much time and money you are willing to expend on buying the tools and learning the techniques to groom them yourself. Cute little Morkies and Pomskies have hidden expenses, so just be aware before buying that sweet fluffy furball. Being willing and able to commit to their grooming care is a box you should check before purchasing or adopting your new best friend.

Happy Dogging!