Anyone who has ever owned a Labrador Retriever knows that even though the dogs' hair is short, it stills sheds, all the time. It doesn't take them very long to discover that they only have a few options if they don't want to spend their entire day vacuuming their house. They can cover the all of the furniture in plastic wrap, they can make the dog an outdoor dog and not allow it in the house anymore or they can spend a few minutes a day grooming their Labrador.



There are several reasons dog owners need to spend time grooming their Labrador Retrievers. The first reason is their dog's health. Regular Labrador grooming sessions will alert a dog owner to any lumps, bumps, scrapes, cuts and infections that the dog may have developed, in most cases the owner will be able to feel these things before they see them. Both the Labrador and the owner will find that regular grooming sessions will strengthen the bond between them. Time spent grooming will improve the dog's overall obedience and patience.

Unless you are planning on competing in a dog show, grooming your Labrador doesn't have to be a long, drawn out process. The first step in a daily grooming regime is to take you short hair rake, and use it on your dog's body. Do not, under any circumstances, use it on a part of your dog's body, such as the face and legs, where there is very little muscle between the skin and bone.

The equipment that should be stored in your Labrador's grooming kit includes nail clippers, a bristle brush, a shorthaired rake and a narrow and wide toothed comb. You should bear in mind that you have all of these grooming items in case you need them and that just because you have them doesn't mean you have to use them every time you groom you Labrador.

This is a bad idea. Try using children's tear free shampoo, as this won't irritate the dog's skin and will make the bathing experience a little more pleasant. If you choose to use a dog shampoo make sure you dilute it before rubbing it into your dog's skin. After bathing your dog, make sure the soap is completely rinsed out. Soap that isn't rinsed will dry out causing an irritation that can later lead to a skin infection.

When you first get your Labrador retriever you will find that your dog is more interested in playing then being groomed. Although the bouncing around and chewing on the brushes is perfectly natural for a young puppy it often ties the patience of the person who is actually grooming the dog. Unfortunately the only way to improve your dog's manners while it is being groomed is to keep persevering.

The ears are another important part of Labrador grooming. The breed seems to be susceptible to developing ear infections that are partly cause by the build up of dead skin, wax and dirt on the inside of the ear flap.

The best way to prevent an ear infection from starting is to take a warm, moist, washcloth and wipe the residue from the flesh. It doesn't have to be done everyday, just a couple of times a week.