How to Groom a Bull Mastiff
Bull Mastiffs are large, short-haired dogs that come in red, fawn or brindle. Because of their short hair, they are quite easy to groom. You should be able to give them a thorough grooming using brushes, scissors, nail clippers, and shampoo. Bull Mastiffs do shed, so you'll want to take care of their fur regularly to avoid fur on your floor and furniture. If you spend a lot of time interacting with your Bull Mastiff, he should be very tractable on the grooming table.
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Instructions
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Put your Bull Mastiff on a grooming table or other elevated surface. Make sure the dog is comfortable there before you begin.
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Brush the dog all over using a de-shedding tool. Bull mastiffs shed a lot, so this is probably the most important part of the grooming ritual. A rubber currycomb is best for a bull mastiff's short hair. You can get these at most pet stores.
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Clip the dog's nails. Be careful to avoid clipping the quick, which may be difficult to see through the bull mastiff's dark-colored toenails. If you have doubts about where it is, err on the side of caution. If your bull mastiff is nervous about nail clipping, spend time off the grooming table handling her feet to get her accustomed to the feeling.
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Use scissors to get rid of any longer hairs inside the ears and between the toes. You can also clip the end of the tail. It's important that you use pet grooming scissors, as these have a rounded end that won't poke the dog if he moves suddenly.
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Bathe the dog using natural shampoo. It's best to bathe the dog towards the end of the grooming ritual, so the dust and dry skin kicked up by the currycomb gets washed off. If you wish, follow up the shampooing with a rinse of apple cider vinegar diluted in water. This rinse will promote skin and coat health.
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Brush its fur using a stiff bristle brush wen the dog is dry to encourage production of the natural oil in the dog's skin.
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Groom your bull mastiff every day to keep its coat looking at its best. Because grooming is so simple, fifteen or twenty minutes of grooming should make a difference.
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Tips & Warnings
Be sure to schedule your grooming session when your mastiff is relaxed, such as after dinner or a long walk. This will make grooming more fun for both of you.
If you accidentally cut into the quick of your dog's nail, use some styptic powder to stop the bleeding. Act calmly to keep from exciting the dog.
Don't bathe your mastiff too often -- it will remove the natural oils in his skin. The ASPCA recommends bathing your dog every three months.
References
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