How to Groom a Black and Tan Coonhound

The Black and Tan Coonhound has a black coat with tan markings on its legs, muzzle and chest. A large, powerful scenthound, this dog's ears fall in long folds, as does the loose skin on its face. The animal's coat is short, straight, sleek and easy to maintain.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Rubber brush
• Dog shampoo
• Ear cleansing solution
• Coat gloss
• Dog nail clippers
• Cotton swab

1. Brush your dog occasionally, once a week at most, using a rubber brush to remove any shed hair.

2. Wipe your dog's mouth regularly. Black and Tan Coonhounds drool a great deal. Of course, this is more of a nuisance for their owners than the dogs themselves.

3. Bathe twice a month or as needed if your dog becomes filthy. This breed's skin can become overly dry with too much bathing.

4. Apply a coat gloss or a light coat of protein conditioner spray to give your Black and Tan Coonhound a gorgeous sheen to its coat.

5. Clean your dog's ears regularly using an ear cleansing solution, found at any pet store. Squeeze a few drops of the solution into your dog's ear canals, working it in by gently rubbing the base of your dog's ears. Use a cotton-tip applicator or cotton swab to remove any dirt, debris and excess solution. Black and Tan Coonhounds are extremely susceptible to ear infections.

6. Clip your dog's nails regularly just at the tips.

Tips & Warnings

• Call your veterinarian if you notice any skin rashes or bare patches in your dog's coat.
• Black and Tan Coonhounds are extremely susceptible to ear infections, so you should clean their ears at least once a week.
• When bathing your dog, avoid getting any water in his ears, as this will contribute to ear infections.
• Avoid cutting your dog's nails 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 quickly.
• When cleaning your dog's ears, never insert a cotton-tip applicator or swab into the part of his ears you can't see. This could result in serious eardrum damage.