Mats in long haired breeds

[RoughCollies]

I groom my girls two to three times a week, but all the long feathering on the hind legs is covered in such thick, coarse hair that it mats easily. I suppose, since it gets so bad. that I will just have to take them to the groomers, but if anyone has any good grooming secrets that get mats out painlessly, I would appreciate it.

[Moo]

I just comb every day. Keep everything tangle free, don't give any mats a chance to start... Believe me, my whole dog is feathers. LOL

[RoughCollies]

lol, Kirby looks very feathery! I know, I've gotten a little behind on grooming, but I usually had no problems. Now, it's off to the groomers!

[sheplovr]

Kirby is soooo sweet and active as one can be. He can do most anything, looks so soft and fluffy?

[Sheltiemama]

Grooming three times a week should be enough for their coats to remain mat free, but those pantaloons take more. My sheltie has really thick skirts and I have gone to using an undercoat rake in those areas. If you do it each time you groom it should stay comparatively matt free.
Slide your hand up from the middle of the back leg (right where the skirt starts)including the tail to the base of the rump and start brushing down slowly with the undercoat rake taking a small amount of hair out of your hand with each stroke, that way you can't come in contact with too much skin to irritate them. After you have completely emptied your hand of fur and are only holding the tail repeat that step with the other leg including the tail too. Then smooth the skirt down with a large steel pin brush.

[RoughCollies]

sounds good! I'll give it a try.

[KellyJean]

OMG! One of the dogs at the farm used to be one big mat. And I used one of these to get the mats out... worked wonderfully on all the body, including the legs!!!



Kelly

[BirdieGirl]

All I use on my goldens is a slicker brush, it was $15 from PETsMart. My dogs run through the woods at least five times a week and get burdocks and other stick-tights stuck in their fur and the slicker brush gets them out like they're nothing. The brush also goes through small mats super easy, the big mats might take a few strokes with the slicker brush and for really bad mats you should use the brush Kelly told you about, or shave the dog...Which is fun! My dad shaved Birdie (my six year old golden) so that she looked like a lion, ahhh, good times...

[Rio Vista Grooming Expert]

Rio Vista Products manufactures a few products that can help with this problem. The Conditioner Detangler is a conditioner that restores damaged ahir and prevents matting and tangling. It is excellent for both short and long hair breeds. In between washing we suggest that Canine Shine is used. This is an instant grooming spray whihc is an alternative to silicone-based coat polishes. Rio Vista's Canine Shine releases tangles, matting, and prevents shedding. This formula also keeps the coat clean, soft, shiny, and healthy. By replacing the vital oils in the hair Canine Shine brings out the natural shine and highlights.
Please visit our website for more information Rio Vista Products

[Aria]

use a rake brush and a detangler ( the same you'd buy for your childrens hair) that will help with those mats