Bordoodle Grooming
With the coats of Poodles and Border Collies being so drastically different from each other, knowing what to expect with a Bordoodle can be a bit of a twist! We’re here to tell you exactly what you can expect when it comes to grooming a Bordoodle.
Bordoodle Grooming & Coat Care
Bordoodles come in two different coat types:
Hypoallergenic (doesn’t shed)
Non-hypoallergenic (medium to light shedding)
However, the grooming requirements for both are fairly similar. Bordoodles that are hypoallergenic typically need to have their coats clipped every 3-6 weeks. For non-hypoallergenic Bordoodles, clipping of the coat may be less frequent. But to aid the shedding process and help reduce matting, having their coat blown out after a bath with a high-velocity blow dryer (a common piece of equipment for groomers, or if you do the grooming yourself you can generally purchase your own online.) is highly recommended.
Brushing your Bordoodle is an important part of grooming to prevent matting of the fur as this can become painful for your dog. Starting at the bottom you want to brush until the brush moves freely through the hair, cutting out mats if you find any (this will prevent them from getting any larger). If the brush gets stuck in any spot be sure to take your time working out all the tangles as you go. Having a well-groomed coat also promotes good circulation and helps you to bond with your dog, building confidence and trust between the both of you. So try not to rush the process, when possible just relax and take your time. If grooming becomes a stressful experience for your Bordoodle it may be time to enlist a professional.
Bathing your Bordoodle with an oil-based conditioner can help to detangle the hair and keep the coat more manageable between clippings. Scrubbing to remove dead skin and dirt that lies below the surface will inevitably help your Bordoodle get clean. But be careful not to ruffle the fur as this can cause tangles to happen more easily and will need to be clipped out if they persist.
Teeth & Nails
Teeth
Caring for your Bordoodles teeth is similar to caring for your own. You can purchase dog toothbrushes and specially formulated toothpaste made for dogs.
If you find that to be too difficult there are other additional products that can help you manage your dog's dental health such as dental wipes. They are used in the same fashion as a toothbrush, to rub plaque off of the teeth but they don't get into the crevices as well. There is also the option of water additives which work similarly to the way a dental gel does, it removes plaque from the dogs teeth and you merely add it to their water bowl. Additionally giving your dog things to chew on regularly will help remove plaque naturally by scraping it off as he chews.
Lastly, if you find that your dog’s dental hygiene isn't up to par. You can always have him undergo a professional cleaning by a veterinarian.
Nail Trimming
From the head, to the toes. Bordoodles need their nails trimmed every 3-4 weeks. It’s a lot more important than many people realize. This is because overgrown nails can actually affect a dog’s posture, shifting the way they carry their body also opens the door to joint problems later on in your dog's life.
When it comes time to clip your dog's nails don't be alarmed if they're not as enthusiastic about it as you are! It’s fairly common for most dogs to feel uncomfortable when having their paws handled and nails trimmed. Getting your dog familiar with having his paws handled before it comes time to clip will allow you to get through the job a lot smoother! While it is of course a very important task, you shouldn’t have to fight tooth and nail (no pun intended) to get your Bordoodles nails trimmed. If you’re finding it to be too difficult, this is where it can be handy to involve a professional grooming service. The good news is, since you’ll likely use a grooming service for his coat anyways, getting your Bordoodles nails trimmed regularly shouldn’t take any extra trips to the groomer. Groomer’s tend to have special tools to make the nail clipping easier for both parties such as silent clippers, a head loop to restrain finicky dogs, or even a specialized head wrap to ease anxiety.
If you trim your Bordoodles nails yourself, a few things to remember are:
Avoid the quick! The quick is the fleshy part of the nail underneath the hard outer part of the nail. If clipped it will bleed.
Keep some styptic powder or cornstarch handy in the case of bleeding. Patting the affected nail in either powder will slow and stop the bleeding.
Take your time and go slow, feel free to take breaks between each paw as needed. Trimming nails is a big job!
Ear Cleaning
Because Bordoodles tend to have hair that keeps growing, unlike some other breeds. Their ear hair continues to lengthen and so much hair in the ear canal can trap moisture, causing frequent infections. To remove this hair, it is plucked, commonly known as “ear plucking”. To do this it's usually best to use an ear powder. Sprinkling ear powder inside the ear to dry everything out prevents the oils on the hair from causing you to have a poor grip on the hair while removing it. Ear plucking is somewhat controversial as it is likely not very comfortable for the dog. However, when taken in small sections most dogs don't show any signs of distress. If you’re uncomfortable doing this yourself, ask your groomer to do it for you during any coat clip or nail appointment.
Generally once the ears are plucked, (assuming no infections are present) cleaning your dog's ears regularly with a warm wet washcloth is enough. Using your finger to push the cloth into the ear canal to remove any excessive wax in the ear is enough to keep things clean. Do be careful that you don’t push too deeply into the ear as this can hurt your Bordoodle.
Learn all about Bordoodles here.