Vet Assistant Tested: the Best Dog Brushes for Long-Haired Dachshunds
Brushing a dry, brittle coat breaks hair shafts and triggers static buildup. Start every grooming session by misting the dog with a light dog coat conditioner or grooming spray diluted with distilled water. This cushions hair strands against friction and eases comb glide.
Adopt a methodical technique known as "line brushing." Part the coat horizontally along the lower ribcage with one hand, exposing a neat line of skin. Using your pin brush or flexible slicker, brush downward in short, controlled strokes, working from the root outward. Once that strip is smooth, release a half-inch layer of coat from above and repeat. Working systematically from the lower body to the topline ensures you work through dense undercoat rather than simply smoothing down the visible outer fringe.
A weekly deshedding routine takes 10 to 15 minutes. During heavy spring and autumn sheds, follow the brushing with a stainless-steel greyhound comb. Glide the wider-spaced teeth through the feathering first, then use the finer teeth along the back to collect loose downy hair. If the fine teeth catch, stop immediately. Never pull through resistance; separate the strands gently with your fingers before running the comb through again.