How to Groom a Standard Schnauzer

By eHow Pets Editor

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

Short wire brush
Dry dog shampoo
Regular dog shampoo
A pair of nail clippers
Ear cleansing solution and ear powder
Clippers, #10 blade
Stripping comb

Step 1:
Brush your dog at least twice a week with a short wire brush to keep his undercoat from matting. Before brushing, cut out any knots in his hair. Pay careful attention to his beard and legs, where matting can be worse. Brush first with the grain and then against the grain.
Step 2:
Clean his whiskers after meals with a dry dog shampoo.
Step 3:
Trim hair around your dog's eyes, ears, and neck regularly using blunt-nosed clippers.
Step 4:
Bathe your Standard Schnauzer as often as necessary, but always comb him out before his bath. Bathe his beard and legs once a week.
Step 5:
Clip the nails regularly, only clipping the tips and avoiding the quick.
Step 6:
Clean your dog's ears regularly with an ear cleaning solution and ear powder to keep them dry. This will help prevent ear infections.
Step 7:
Clip or strip the entire coat every 4 to 6 months to a short, evened-out length. This process can be time consuming, so many choose to have it done professionally. You can learn to do it yourself, using a stripping comb and #10 blade clippers. The Standard Schnauzer Club of America website has a step-by-step video to help you learn to do it yourself.

Tips & Warnings

When clipping hair, always clip with the grain.
Call your veterinarian if you notice any bare patches in your dog's coat or skin rashes.
Facial hair on a Standard Schnauzer should always be cut at a slant for the breed's optimal appearance.
Avoid cutting your dog's nail beyond just the tip. If you do cut the quick, and your dog's nail begins to bleed, apply styptic powder to stop the bleeding.

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