How to Groom a Harrier

Harriers are small, compact, strong little dogs that make great companions and are a hunter's best friend. They are good at tracking and have an excellent sense of smell. They have a low maintenance grooming regimen that demands a monthly general grooming and a full grooming every 8 to 12 weeks.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Thinning shears
• Scissors
• Natural bristle brush
• Skin cream

1. Brush the coat with a natural bristle brush to remove shedding hair. Harriers are average shedders, and their coat isn't hard to maintain if you brush it regularly.

2. Use thinning shears to remove any stray hairs. This dog has a close-cropped coat with short hairs, so stray hairs are noticeable.

3. Use a whitener on the discolored areas of the coat that should be naturally white.

4. Put skin cream on the dog's elbows. Harriers tend to develop calluses which can be painful. They are very active dogs which tend to follow their noses and thus the owner may not always be able to keep an eye on them. If they go missing for a bit, check their elbows when they return, as well as their eyes, ears and feet.

Tips & Warnings

• Harriers are great with children and make wonderful family pets. They tend to thrive when living in a pack, whether it be comprised of animals, humans or both.
• The life expectancy of the Harrier is about 10 to 12 years of age.
• Harriers probably resulted from the crossing of many different breeds along the way, including the Greyhound, Talbot Hound, Basset Hound, English Foxhound and Fox Terrier.
• Hip dysplasia is a somewhat frequent occurrence in this breed. Only buy puppies from dogs with OFA certification. Epilepsy is another somewhat frequent genetic trait.

[sadeyes1950]

on 2/26/2008 how to reduce my maltese/shih tzu from matting, and how to get them out? I brush , him regularly but he still gets them, on his hind quarters the most, is there a conditioner or creme to apply? help!