The Doberman’s coat doesn’t appear to require frequent brushing because it is naturally smooth and shiny. The close-lying hair rarely looks disheveled unless it comes into contact with something wet or sticky, and it is true that a once- or twice-a-month brushing is all that is necessary for minimal maintenance. But if you really want your Doberman to glisten like polished brass and keep him in the peak of health, a weekly brushing can do wonders.Brushing helps loosen and remove dead skin. It stimulates the production of new skin cells and distributes the oils in the coat to bring out that famous shine. It helps remove dead hair, which tends to bristle out of the coat and tarnish the sleek quality we so admire.
Grooming Tools
Grooming may seem like a simple process for such a low-maintenance dog, but there are some tricks to getting the best results. Using the appropriate tools for your dog’s coat type is most important. Because the Doberman has short hair without a protective undercoat, brushes that are too harsh can irritate or damage his skin.
A rubber curry brush is necessary to work up the coat to bring out the oils, dead skin, and dead hair. A soft-bristled brush is needed to smooth out the coat and whisk away the dead skin and hair that has been brought to the surface of the coat.
Curry brushes come in all different types. They can be round
rubber brushes with or without a handle strap on the back.
Some are made of hard rubber and some are made of soft rubber. They might also come in the form of a glove or grooming mitt with rubber or plastic nibs on the palm and fingers. Regardless of whether you choose a curry brush or grooming mitt, soft rubber with short to medium length nibs are best for the Doberman’s coat type. Coarser brushes will be too abrasive. When currying your dog, a gentle but firm circular motion will rough up the coat and draw dead skin and hair to the surface of the coat.
After the coat has been roughed up, use the curry brush to smooth out the coat by brushing in the direction the hair naturally lies. Follow up by brushing with a soft-bristled brush in the direction the hair grows. This will help remove the unsightly flakes of skin on the surface of the coat and distribute oils evenly through the hair.
After brushing, your Doberman will look sleeker and shinier, but there is one more step that makes a miraculous improvement in his appearance. Show dog handlers use a chamois skin (a suede leather cloth often used to polish cars) to wipe over the entire coat (in the direction the hair lies) to achieve the most fabulous shine. A terry cloth hand towel works almost as well, and you will be amazed at the results. Get ready to shield your eyes from the glint!
Grooming for Showing
Show dogs are the super models of the dog world. Many are primped and prepared for hours, days, even weeks before a show to make them look their best. Because the Doberman doesn’t require the intense grooming some breeds do, you might think, “Give another hoot for short hair!”
The truth is, you do have to prepare for a show weeks in advance. Thin-haired dogs like Dobermans are exceptionally prone to scratches and scrapes that can blemish their sleek appearance. These must be prevented or treated ahead of time.
Hot spots (balding or thinning areas) also need time to be corrected. You also have to be careful how often and how long your dog wears a collar because it will leave an unsightly impression in his hair, or worse, it will chafe the hair off under the neck. A show Doberman wears a collar only when necessary, not as everyday neckwear.
Show Dobermans sport extremely short nails. This helps show off the conformation of the foot and prevents the nails from making the toes splay. You can’t achieve this type of pedicure overnight; the nail must be shortened gradually to prevent exposing the quick (the nail’s nerve and blood supply). A rotary file is often used to perform this job, and you may wish to obtain expert instruction until you are confident enough to do it by yourself.
Then, of course, a Doberman needs to be groomed to perfection before strutting his stuff in the show ring. You will have to familiarize yourself with the best grooming products to use and learn tricks of the trade to show him to his best advantage. Consult with your breeder, find a mentor, or ask other exhibitors which shampoos, cream rinses, stain removers, or hot spot treatments they prefer to use. It will save you the time and expense of experimenting with all these products yourself.
