If you enjoy brushing your dog as much as dogs love being brushed, this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship. As a rule of thumb, the longer the dog's hair, the more time you can expect to spend on grooming. If your time is at a premium, consider getting one of the short-haired breeds. Regular brushing will go a long way toward keeping your dog's coat sleek and clean. Unless your pet has a problem requiring more frequent shampooing, a bath every couple months should be sufficient. Use a good quality dog shampoo and be sure to rinse thoroughly--dried excess shampoo can irritate your pet's skin. If your dog spends a lot of time walking on gravel or concrete, its nails will grind down naturally. Otherwise, you'll have to trim them. Have your vet show you how to do this without hurting the dog. You might also want to trim off excess hair that grows past its paw pads. A long brushing session is one of a dog's greatest pleasures. It could be one of yours, too.
