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Biewer hair trouble My Biewer, Stewie has the softest hair, and looks really good all fluffy and longish. However, it gets matted so easily, especially the under layer coz it forms cotton ball-like clumps, and are really hard to brush out (I think it hurts him). I try brushing his hair regularly, but it still does that, and he hates getting his hair brushed because he probably feels like I'm yankng his hair off. Anybody here has any suggestions? Should I spray his hair with hair detangler? (Which one to get?), should I get a different brush(I have the regular pin-head brush, and also a wire brush)? Right now I have no choice but to ask the groomer to shave him down :( |
I would suggest using a leave-in conditioner and then using a detangle spray for the tangles. Use a good pin brush (metal or wooden - I'm getting a wood one to try). For mats that are beyond tangles, try using a little corn starch and working (outward-in) the mat out. It's time consuming but see if that will work for you. On any over the top mats or ones super close to the skin, I would just clip them out with some scissors. |
Thanks for the tips. I didn't know corn starch would help, I thought it would get it even more matted. Also, do you have any recommendations for leave-in conditioners and detanglers? |
How old is your Biewer? Does he still have puppy coat? Are you brushing his hair dry or wet ? (should use a detang spray while brushing) Cornstarch works good as long as you do it on dry hair. The best way to prevent matts is to brush every day. |
Stewie is 2, I 'm not sure if it's still baby coat, but it's extremely soft and fluffy. I only brush his hair when its dry. He hates getting brushed especially on the legs and belly. |
Brushing a completely dry coat can damage it and make your matting issues worse. Using a grooming spray (if you check the grooming section here on YT, you will find LOTS of recomendations on grooming supplies.) \ If he hates brushing, you really have to get him used to it if you want to keep him in long coat. You might want to start by cutting out his mats, then start daily brushing sessions, make it short and he will get used to it as long as you are gentle. I would highly recommend a wooden pin brush and never use the wire brush again (if you are talking about a matt rake type brush, that will tear up his coat terribly) a good quality (Chris Christianson products are great) A brass or stainless pin brush is another good tool. But for now I would def recommend you start with the wooden pin brush and brush his coat from the outer parts to the inside, not just one long stroke at first as that is what hurts them |
My groomer once told me not to brush Stewie or Oliver (toy poodle) when their hair is wet, and not to bother with detangling spray coz that'd build up residue and makes it worse. That's the only reason I've been brushing them on dry hair. But since it hasn't been working out too well, I'm gonna try brushing after spraying grooming spray (i bought Crazy Dog grooming spray) Thanks for all the advice, I really appreciate it. |
I bought a brush at pet supermarket for like $10. Its the best Ive ever used. Its like the size of a humans brush so its easy for me to handle. Its 2 sided one side being stiff bristles and the other like a regular brush. I also use a flea comb to brush his face because its smaller and I can do it quickly. Set up a routine with you dog to make sure that he knows that you have to do it all the time. I brush Joey right before bed and of course after a bath. |
Hey Joeyyy2010, thanks for advice. Would you happen to have the brand of the brush? I'm very interested in investing in a good quality brush that works. |
You never want to brush wet or dry dirty hair. It will break & cause damage. Spraying a detangling/conditioning spray directly on the mat will help work out the mat. If it's to the skin & your fur baby will not let you work it out, it's best to snip them off w/blunt nosed scissors. It will grow back. Wooden pin brushes will not penetrate the mats, but a brush a w/metal pins w/no balls @ the end will penetrate the mat & brush it out (like the Madan pin brushes). Wooden brushes are great for the face, as pin brushes can accidentally poke the eye. As for a good spray, ones w/out silicone can be used everyday as it doesn't cause build up. You can even mix it w/distilled water to make it lighter (Crazy Dog Grooming Spray has a very strong scent). Line brushing is also a great way to keep a tangle free coat. That's when you lift up a section of hair & start brushing downwards in layers, smoothing every strand of hair. |
hi , here are the products i use for my yorkie.. they may be helpful to you as well.. Isle of Dogs Everyday Grooming Spray - Dog.com  Amazon.com: Earth Therapeutics Natural Wood Pin... |
P.S when you brush him always use a grooming spray and dont just brush the coat from the top down. you need to start from the bottom and lift up a small section at a time and brush so you also get underneath as well... |
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I just tried corn starch, worked like a charm!!! I am so impressed... Thank you so much everyone, I am so glad I've found this site. I am gonna order new brushes and sprays now, very excited about that. I'm sure Stewie is feeling much better as well. |
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I use Plush Puppy products for sprays and conditioners for my Biewers. And I use Chris Christensen brushes for brushing. Good luck with Stewie. |
I had heard corn starch as well -- awesome to see that it works! Nilla has a cotton coat too, and it seems like a losing battle! I can brush her out and then put a harness or hoodie on her, and it mats underneath in a snap. I try to keep her in a shorter cut -- I feel like at this point it is a service to her! :-P Your Biewer is a cutie! ^^ |
I don't normally have a problem with harnesses, it's mostly after I give him a bath, or after playing in the yard when the grass is wet. Also, he's constantly scratching himself against "stuff" (walls, sofas, carpets, grass... :/ Already taken him to the vet twice, and we are now trying a new diet to figure out whether it's food allergy or not... well, that's a whole different story..Urgh!!!!), so his under coat gets tangled, and I don't really notice the matting until it's too late coz the outer coat looks fine most of the time. |
I have a groomer who comes to my home. She uses some kind of a comb and thins out the fur on my biewer, JoJo. I think that is why Jo is not matted. Otherwise I know how thick and matted that fur can become. Right now he has his sweater on since it is cold and if that fur was not thinned it would be a mess. |
These babies are so high maintenance, but so worth it! |
Would the Chris Christensen T handle 16mm mini brush be a good one for Stewie (I think it's a pin brush, and the pins are not too long, which I think will give me more control?) He's 71/2 lbs, so I'm assuming he's considered small, right? |
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I just bought a Chris Christensen T-handle pin brush 16mm (mini), Isle of Dogs Everyday grooming spray, and Earth Therapeutics natural wood pin brush (medium), I am so excited. Stewie's appointment at the groomers is on the 20th, hopefully the grooming spray and brush will arrive before that day, so that I can brush out most of the matts before they get their hands on him, I really don't want them to shave him down for the winter:( |
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yes , these little rascals can be high maintenance but so worth it...:) |
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