If you happen to be one of the few lucky ones who is a proud owner of a Mini Bernese, you must be enjoying their company already. It’s the gorgeous, fluffy coat that attracts the most, and people cannot help but admire it. These cute little four-legged friends are also renowned for their gentle temperament, thanks to one of their parents, the Bernese mountain dog, and their size, owing to the other parent, the Cavalier.
Since the coat makes it snatch the limelight from others, you must ensure they are well kept, and for that reason, you need some solid grooming tips. Let this guide help you with the tips for taking good care of its coat.
Reasons that make grooming the Mini Bernese so crucial
Although the wavy double coats of these cute creatures are a wonderful sight, it does come with related issues. For instance, the coats are prone to tangles, matting, and shedding. Thus, regular grooming is indispensable to make it look good. Moreover, regular grooming can also ensure the following:
- Keep their coat clean, soft, and free of allergies.
- Wades off the chances of skin-related infections,
- You do not need to worry about fur lying everywhere in your home.
- You can keep away pests like ticks and spot health issues like lumps on its coat early.
So, as you can see, taking care of its coat is not just about preserving its good looks, but it can also ensure its overall well-being.
Brushing tips
Grooming kicks off with brushing, and for attending the Mini Bernese, you should brush it at least 3-4 times a week. The little one will shed heavily during spring and fall seasons, and daily brushing can help in regulating loose hair and prevent the undercoat from tangling.
You can find a wide array of brushes to do the job. The Slicker brush is the best option to remove surface mats and tangles. The Undercoat rake goes deeper and removes loose undercoat during the seasons of heavy shedding. Lastly, the Pin brush is the ideal option for providing the final touches, as it can spread natural oils throughout the coat.
While brushing them, you should be careful and not use excessive pressure. Gentle brushing in the areas around the legs, behind the ears, and belly should do the work for you.
Handling the shedding season
The Mini Bernese thankfully does not shed as heavily as its parent, the Bernese mountain dog. Still, they do shed moderately to heavily depending on their lineage. In such circumstances, you can make use of a de-shedding tool during the prime shedding seasons. You should also watch the diet you offer, as it can also make a considerable difference in the amount of hair you lose.
Bathing your pet
Like all dogs, the Mini Bernese also needs bathing, but the frequency can be at significant intervals. Ideally, a gap of 6-8 weeks is considered best for the breed. Too much bathing can tear the coat and eventually the dog will lose its natural oils, which in turn runs the risk of the dog ending up in dry skin.
A mild dog shampoo containing a hypoallergenic formula is the best option for it. Before taking it to the bath, you should brush it, and after the bath, remove tangles and apply oils all over evenly. Be careful to rinse well, as shampoo leftovers can cause irritation on its skin. After the bath, dry it with a towel and then introduce a blow-dryer, keeping it on a low heat, and dry it up.
Trimming is ideal for maintenance
Thankfully, you need not go for regular haircuts, and only some trimming would help them appear neat. The areas like paw pads and sanitary areas are the main focal points for trimming. If trimming isn’t your cup of tea, then you can seek help from a professional to do the job for you.
Trimming the nails of the Mini Bernese is also an essential aspect of the routine. Usually, overgrown nails can cause it to suffer, so make it a point to trim its nails every 3-4 weeks. It shouldn’t be difficult to do the job, as dog nail clippers are easily available.
Taking care of its eye and ears
Being excessively surrounded by coats, the areas near the ears and eyes can trap moisture and invite unwanted pests like bacteria. Clean their ears in an interval of 2-4 weeks with the help of a dog-safe ear cleaner or cotton balls. For the eyes, you should carefully wipe tear stains or debris with a damp cloth or dog eye wipes. By any chance, if you notice unwanted discharge from its eyes, visit the vet without further delay.
Watch out for signs when the Mini Bernese is in need of more grooming
The presence of specific things should be clear signs that the dog needs frequent grooming, and these can be any one of the following:
- Matted fur behind the ears and under the legs
- If you notice dry and flaky skin, and the dog isn’t in the best of moods, a grooming session will help.
- At times, the gorgeous coat will appear dull, then also you should also make arrangements for grooming.
- Suddenly, if you notice it emitting a strong odor, that too after a bath, it might be related to some issues with the coat, and grooming sessions should commence soon.
A professional groomer can be a game changer
Some owners think that, presently, grooming tools are readily available and they can manage things at home alone. However, professional grooming is equally necessary. You can schedule it after an interval of 3 months or so. They have several advantages in both their ways of grooming and have the right tools to help.
- Professional groomers can perform a thorough blowout during the shedding season
- They can efficiently handle trimming, which is not easy for the dog owner.
- They are experts in cleaning ears and trimming nails efficiently.
So, as you can see, by being consistent with coat care, you can maintain your lovely pet and ensure it is free from vulnerabilities.
