The Keeshond is a beautiful breed with a luxurious coat. Also known as 'The Poor Man's Glamour Dog', because with regular maintenance, your Keeshond's coat will attract admiring looks and comments from passers-by as you take him for a walk.

The Keeshond does not require professional grooming or trimming, and with a few instructions and USEFUL grooming tools, even a complete novice can learn to maintain the coat (all Keeshond owners were novices at one stage, too).

Grooming is only one factor contributing to the breed's beautiful coat. General health, feeding and exercise, combined with regular attention to both internal and external parasites are also of vital importance.

Remember also that you must train your Keeshond to accept regular grooming, which will in turn cut down the amount of time spent brushing and more time playing!

Start by trimming the toenails first each time, paying particular attention to the small 'thumb' claw that can snag and tear if allowed to grow too long.

Nail Clippers.

Trim the hair underneath the feet level with the footpads, and any overhanging hair at the front of the feet.The goal here is to trim it to resemble a cat's paw, nice and rounded. Comb the hair on the hocks, and trim away any stray hairs at the back, giving an even finish.

Give your dog a break now, and get your brush, water bottle and comb ready.

Scissors

Combs

Pin Brush

Spray Bottles

Lay your dog on his side, starting from the shoulder, (simply because if your dog moves at the start, your hands are where they need to be to prevent him from moving or slipping). Mist the coat with the water spray to reduce the static electricity. Flatten the coat with one hand, exposing the skin. Brush the flattened coat out from under your hand in and upwards and outwards direction, brushing from root to tip with each stroke. Do first one side then the other, all the way to the rear legs, and down the sides of each. Make sure you don't forget to do the tummy as well here! Pay special attention to under the 'armpits' and the inside of the rear legs. Tails are best done in the laying-down position, so there is less chance of being pulled by accident.

Take another break, then place your dog in an upright sitting position, starting at the base of the chest. Lift the hair upwards from underneath with your hand, brushing the hair out from under your hand with a down and outwards motion. Continue around the neck, meeting up with the shoulder areas you started on. Continue down the centre of the back, again matching up with the sides, down to the tail.

Grooming Apron

Unless your dog is trained, or will not move, get help to hold your dog in a standing position. Start at the bottom of each leg at the rear. Lift the hair upwards from underneath with your hand, brushing with the same technique you used with the chest, with a down and outwards motion. Continue up each leg to meet at the tail section and match up with all the other brushed areas.

Comb the short hair around the face carefully, including the soft, downy hair on the back of the ears. Check the ears, eyes and mouth while you are here. Get your vet to check if anything seems abnormal.

Use your slicker brush to brush the short coat on the legs upwards, and to tidy hairs around the head.

Lastly brush all the hair in a forwards manner to the head, much like the dog is standing with its rear to a strong breeze. Let your dog shake, and his coat *should* fall neatly into place. Contact me for any help if this doesn't happen, it often doesn't the first few times you try, :).

Slicker Brush