Your dog’s coat is often his most recognizable feature. It is usually the feature that can distinguish one particular breed to the next. If you shave down the coat of an Afghan Hound, a German Shorthaired Pointer, or a Standard Poodle, you will end up with three different breeds that look very much alike and it would be quite hard to tell them apart. On the other hand, if you put that same Afghan Hound, the German Shorthaired Pointer, and the Standard Poodle with their usual full show coats, you will see the difference and distinctive features among these same sized breeds.

A dog’s coat is also a noticeable indicator of whether or not that dog is in good health. Whether a particular breed has long flowing coat, a smooth, shiny coat, or a mass of frizzy curls, your dog’s coat is often the first thing to deteriorate when the dog suffers from poor health or medical condition. It is also usually the first thing that people notice and often use to determine whether the dog is in good health or otherwise.

Caring for your dog’s coat can offer several benefits as well as preventive measures to keep our loyal pals from getting sick. A poor coat could indicate either a slight health problem or a serious disease. Poor grooming practices can also instigate other problems. Taking good care and special attention of your dog’s coat keeps you in line with your dog’s health. This kind of caring also helps you catch any changes in his skin and overall health more quickly.

Dogs’ coats have to be washed regularly, and long coated or curly coated breeds require more time commitment and need more frequent washing than others. Coats need to be brushed as well. Dogs with long coats must be detangled from time to time. Dry coats need to be conditioned to lessen the breakage while keeping the hair smooth and supple. If you are not concerned for a long coat or you do not enjoy grooming, than it is better to maintain it short or shaved down. Having a long coat is not necessary if you are not able to keep it well groomed. Above all, your dog’s good health and feeling of comfort should be considered.