You’ve been antagonizing over the decision of whether or not to buy dog insurance. Sure, your puppy may be healthy now, but what about in the future? You can’t predict if your dog will get into an accident or get cancer and require costly treatment. On the other hand, your dog may only require yearly vet visits for many years. So what should you do? Let’s go over a few pros and cons of dog insurance… we hope it will make the decision a bit clearer for you. The Yorkshire Terrier was first bred in the 19th century in the county of Yorkshire, England to catch rats and other vermin in clothing mills. The Yorkshire Terrier was owned predominantly by the working class. In particular, they tended to live in the homes of professional weavers. An evolution of other terrier breeds, the Yorkshire Terrier can trace its heritage from the Waterside Terrier, Manchester Terrier and Paisley Terrier. So this sweet little pup has quite the pedigree.

A part of the English Kennel Club since the club was started in 1873, the Yorkshire Terrier came to the U.S. in the 19th century where it has remained a popular breed. The portable pooch was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885, and has become a popular breed in North American thanks to its big personality and luxurious coat. Perpetually popular, these dogs are favourites at pet shops and dogs shows alike. Even within traditional dog and cat breeds as with any animal hair texture is often heavily influenced by the sire use. Consequently you may get a “standard texture ” where the progeny animal has a “coarse” or “finer” texture than the normal breed standard. (This may be especially relevant in cross breeds.) To finish the groom we’ll give your dog a brush down to remove any final loose hairs that are resting on top of the skin. Clipping should always be kept to a minimum when grooming wiry coated breeds, but we may tidy tender or hard to reach areas with a clipper or scissors. Some breeds have softer hair on their underbelly which we will often use scissors for. If you’d like your dog to benefit from any of our treatments, these will be applied once the groom is complete if not done before. What is required to maintain a wiry coat at home?

The Mars Coat King Stripping Combs

Just when you think you’ve gotten all the dog breeds figured out, you take a look at a dog that looks like a Maltese and find out that it’s not a Maltese at all – it’s actually a Bichon Frise. Fantastic! More time studying dog breeds is clearly called for, which means you get to expand your knowledge of pets just a little more. A wonderful companion to those who have mild allergies, the Peekapoo is a true “Doodle” dog, which means he has a low- to non-shedding coat that won’t set you off into sneezes. But that’s not the only reason why the Peekapoo makes a great pet. Low-maintenance when it comes to their activity and grooming needs, and with a friendly, sweet temperament, the Peekapoo has a lot to offer to many pet owners. Seniors and retirees, as well as singles, will find this designer dog a perfect companion, but families with older children might also enjoy the Peekapoo’s goofy antics and eagerness to please. Carding is the first stage of hand stripping where we remove excess undercoat using a ‘carding knife’. This encourages the coat to lay flat which allows for easier hand stripping.

Each blade is a comb with teeth that range in density. A coarse comb allows more hair through untouched, while a ‘extra fine’ comb will remove the majority of hair. They’re simply a dull toothed comb that allows groomers to get a better grip (before stripping knives were widely available groomers would often use a dulled butter knife). Mars Double-Wide Coat King Stripping Comb for Dogs, 18-Blade: Sheepdogs, Newfoundland, Schnauzers, Wirehaired Pointer, Wirehaired Terrier, Alaskan Malamute, German Shepherd, Siberian Husky, Saint Bernard, Dutch Shepherd, and similar coated dog breeds.For the past two decades, many purebred dogs have been cross-bred to make new designer dog breeds that combine the likeness and characteristics of two different breeds. The Doxiepoo is the result of mixing a purebred Dachshund and a purebred Poodle. The aim of handstripping is to remove the older dull hairs that are in the exogen phase and are easier to pull out. To do this we use a stripping knife, grooming stone or by hand using a finger condom for grip. When performed by our professional groomers handstripping is completely painless for your dog. Stripping stones are a great all-in-one tool that can card and strip. Their rough surface allows for gripping onto hairs without cutting or digging into the skin. Wiry coat breeds also have different skin to many other breeds, which brings with it a host of separate care considerations, all of which should be taken care of with wiry breed shampoos. There are a range of brands out there, here at The Pet Retreat we use Wildwash Shampoos, all of which are made from natural ingredients. Detangling Comb

Dogs with smooth coats are the easiest to maintain as they won’t get tangled or matted, and rarely shed. Some breeds in this category include Great Danes, Beagles and Dalmatians, so read our blog if you own one of these dogs as we discuss the correct products to use and how to properly groom their coat. Book a Combination Coat Appointment A freshly stripped dog will have open follicles and very sensitive skin for several days. Bathing immediately after must be done with great care.As the name implies, hand stripping can be done with just your hands. However, tools will make the job a little easier (especially for newcomers).