A clean dog is a happy, healthy dog!

And in the tub they go! Bathing three unwilling dogs and one not-to-thrilled cat all in 20 minutes, may not exactly be my idea of fun but it is necessary. The cat, well the poor girl has allergies I think so the bath was in a effort to clean her skin and fur up so maybe it won't itch so much for her. Not a flea in sight and they all receive Comfortis anyhow. Frontline just doesn't do the trick when bathed every week. Bathed every WEEK you say? Just about, says I. Well yes, not only do I like a clean dog(they sleep on my bed, and in Hero's case, under the covers!) and it drastically reduces the amount of fur my vacuum needs to suck up... but just in case anything does start to bother them, I will see and/or feel it in a bath sometimes much more easily than not. Now natural oils are good for a dogs coat, so I don't always use the same shampoo, and I often use grape seed oil or a conditioner to help replenish their coats. Sometimes even a rinse with no soap at all is exactly what is called for.

In all seriousness cleanliness is just as important for dog health as a persons. Trimming or grinding a dogs nails not only protects your floors, personal flesh and is aesthetically pleasing, but it helps prevent injury to the foot and tears as well. Have you ever seen a dog get its foot and nail stuck in something? I have, and it is not fun for either you or your dog! It's also very important to check a dogs ears, especially if they are floppy like the Brittany's. Ear wax can build up as well as mites get in and possibly give your dog an infection. A cotton ball and some peroxide cleans ears nicely. I happen to have it easy there, with three dogs, they do a really good job at keeping each others ears clean. The wonders of pack dynamics!

Now not everyone really wants to get down and groom their dog. The Britt has a fairly easy coat to keep in general and doesn't require much brushing. Some do of course but on average it's easy to maintain. I personally enjoy the time I spend grooming my dogs, we get some one-on-one time and they love the extra attention. For the average Brittany owner there is no need for a "show" cut. Of course we don't take nearly as much off as some breeds, but for the average weekend hunter for instance, you would want the fur on the dogs neck to help protect him from briars. There are of course a few places that should be looked at on every dog, be it a dog for show, hunt or even just a lazy house dog (a lazy Brittany? Do they exist?) The extra fur between the toes should be pulled up and trimmed off, as well as the fur between the pads. Not only is it more comfortable, but there is less risk of picking up painful burrs that may stick to the fur. Secondly the fur around your dogs anus should be kept short, which will help prevent any "hitch-hikers" , which besides being just gross, can also carry worms or disease BACK into the house! Eww!

Now using great personal restraint I have gone without touching a pair of scissors to Isabella in a few months. It really helped when she was in heat, because then I didn't really want to, to tell you the truth! Her nails have been routinely ground as usual but otherwise she's been left au-natural! She certainly is not the furriest Brittany in the world, but she needs quite a bit of grooming none-the-less before ring time Sat.

Isabella before grooming, notice her furry feet!

Isabella after her pre-show grooming session!