Admin Note: Would anyone like to add a piece on grooming long/wire/rough coated dogs, especially young pups, to this thread? Please use the thread for your ideas only and not debate on the ideas raised.

GROOMING

This applies to short coated breeds

Brushing with a Zoom Groom or rubber horse brush two or three times a week and a daily rub with a damp wash leather are all that is required (along with the correct feeding and exercise of course) to keep the coat of a healthy dog clean and shining. If they roll in something smelly such as fox pooh then tomato ketchup can help negate the smell.

Toenails - can grow quite long and need regular cutting or filing - black dogs can be difficult to judge exactly where to cut but if you look under the nail and see a triangular hollow (after picking mud out with your fingernail) you can cut the hollow bit off.

Teeth - If you feed a raw diet then your dogs teeth should remain clean and healthy. If you feed complete or tinned foods then brush your pups teeth with a canine toothpaste regularly from a puppy to help avoid dental and gum problems in later life. Mouths and ears can be sensitive when the pups are teething and allowances should be made for this. Teeth are generally in their adult positions by the time a dog is around 12 months old.

Eyes - just clean the corner if grey "matter" collects overnight.
You will find that when your pup is teething at around 4 to 5 months its eyes may get very mucky - this is quite normal providing it is the usual grey colour and can be cleaned using a few drops of the water from a chilled used teabag (no milk). If it is white or any other colour refer to your vet.

Ears - there are various products available for cleaning ears - do not poke anything down into the ear. Ears are also affected by teething and will probably change shape or position for a while around this time

Hi (Fellow Strippers)
I own 2 wire coated breeds,another little tip that makes the job a lot easier is to wear a fine latex glove(surgical type)gives much better grip and is less tiring
on the fingers.

Hi, on the long coated dog side of things, we have to strip out backs, rest is clipped/trimmed, including ears. We usuall start with the pups at about 4 - 5 months, depending on when the puppy coat starts to loosen. By this time the pups are thoroughly used to the rest of the grooming process, and are relaxed on the table. Using latex gloves (some people use a rubber finger grip instead) makes it much easier. First couple of strips done by hand, but on going maintenance we use a knife and hand too.

Since the coat kings cam on the market a lot o people have been using them to make thejob easier, but we find it damages the regrowth too much (fine for pet, though).

Tip for ears, from some grooming/poodle people in the USA - they use immac/nair hair removing cream on the innside of the ears - apparently no problems with it, easy on dog, and leaves a really clean finish. (Please note - I have never tired this myself!)
Gwen

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I have a long coated breed with a thick double coat (i.e. fluffy under coat)

I groom pups daily from their arrival - short sessions so they're not bored or too fidgety (after play/feeding is usually a good time).  This gets them used to being handled and enjoying the experience.  Also check teeth, ears, feet, genit@ls daily for cuts, grazes, foreign bodies such as grass seeds or ticks :)  A natural bristle brush or mix of nylon and bristle is ideal for getting through thick undercoat on pups without hurting the skin. Puppy coats are easily kept in condition for the first 4 months or so with this regime, thereafter as the coat lengthens, they need to be groomed as thoroughly as with an adult - see below.

A quick flick through every other day keeps things in order but once a week a thorough grooming with a nylon brush and water spray is essential.  Don't brush the coat when fully dry, use a light misting of water to dampen each area.  Ears, back of front legs, trousers and underbelly all mat easily so need particular attention for prevention.  Any mats found if they can't be teased apart between fingers carefully cut out.  Comb furnishings that are soft and silky such as ears, brush tender areas (underside and tail).  If muddy weather or during moults groom more regularly and thoroughly - when coat is ready to loosen off it's quicker and easier to bath the dog as this speeds up the moult.  Thoroughly rinse and dry off then spray and groom coat through to the skin.  Approximately 3-5 days after bathing, more of the undercoat has usually loosened off so use a rake or slicker to remove any loose hair.

Best equipment for this type of coat:-  1 x nylon paddle brush, 1 x bristle paddle brush, 1 x double sided comb (pref with rotating teeth on one side), 1 x rake/slicker and a water spray :)