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Recently, when talking about the growing popularity of the Weimaraner we mentioned that simple grooming could be accomplished in about 15 minutes. Honestly, an experienced handler can groom that quick, however, it is true (as Alicia pointed out) that the average person cannot accomplish the task that quickly.  Expect that in depth grooming will take between 1/2 hour and an hour. Expect a quick groom (ears, toenails, and simple bath) to take about 1/2 hour to 3/4 hour.

How to do in-depth grooming…..

Usually the first step in an in-depth grooming would be to brush your Weim. If you see a lot of loose hair you might want to use either the latest trendy brush called a FURminator or sometimes we use a softer horse grooming brush. Although Weims have very little hair in comparison to some canines, twice a year they shed their coat.  Stripping this hair during grooming will keep your home and clothing nearly hair-free. You can read more about the special brush we mentioned:   http://www.furminator.com/shedless.cfm

Once you have them brushed it is time to check their ears.  A quick rinse and wipe is a good idea.  We like to use the cosmetic wipes–the ones I bought today were less than $4 (for an 80 count package) at Sally’s Beauty Supply and they were the extra large round pads.  

To clean the ear, squirt a little non-alcohol based ear wash or your ACV mixture (50-50) in the ear, fold the flap over and massage in so that it gets to the inner ear.  Let them shake the excess liquid from their ear.  Then take the cotton wipes or a cotton ball and clean the outer ear.  If there is a lot of discharge you should take a Q-tip and carefully extract the waxy substance from the ear working (careful not to push any into the inner ear canal) up and out–cleaning all the little valleys and folds.  

With the brushing done and the ears cleaned then you need to bathe them. Depending upon the Weim’s size, your facility, and the time of year we bathed Weims in several manners:

1. We use the large kitchen sink for puppy baths.
2. We use a walk-in shower most of the time.
3. Sometimes we have used the bathtub and a detachable shower head for rinsing the soap.
4. In warm weather we often bathe them using the outdoor hose.  
5. There is a new washing system you can buy that hold the soap and dispenses it but for us we do it the old fashioned way at this point in time.

Everyone is going to have a different set up and they will select what works best.  Some people take their Weim to a groomer or use a bathing facility.  Whatever you do it needs to work for you and give you a measure of control.

After you have brushed them and have them ready for the bath, then dampen their coat.  Then take a dob of shampoo in your palm (about the size of a quarter) and work it into a lather and apply it to their tummy and privates. Then work their sides, neck, chest, tail and back.  We avoid shampoo on their face.  They do make tearless shampoo but we still try to be careful getting it in their eyes.  Honestly, we don’t spend a lot of time thinking about this and normally we do one single shampoo application and spend the rest of the effort trying to make sure that we get rid of the shampoo. Recently we suggested using a finishing rinse with ACV (50-50 Mixture with water) poured over their coat.  This warrants serious consideration.  It may repel insects, helps with skin issues, and some say helps ease allergic reactions.  It also removes the excess shampoo and restores a healthy PH.

Cliff does about 90% of the baths for obvious reasons–he can better handle the our rambunctious Weim.  After bathing, he often uses a curry comb to remove extra water from their coat.  Then he lightly towel dries them.  If your Weim is very dirty the curry comb will pick up residue and you will know next time you need to shampoo twice and spend a little time with massaging a deep cleaning lather.  The curry comb will also remove any freshly loosened hair.

Once this is done we normally allow them to dry naturally.  As soon as it is feasible we like to trim their nails. Their nails are a little softer after a bath.  If you are tired or frustrated wait on the nail trimming.  

Here is some really great information including videos on how to trim your dog’s toenails.  

http://www.ehow.com/how_2131823_trim-dogs-toenails.html   

Some people like to Dremel the nails and this can do an awesome job of grooming but it takes a lot of practice.  It is not a quick process.  Some Weims are very spooky initially when they hear the dremel or feel the vibration.  We have not tried the pedipaws they advertise on TV.  We have read reviews and they are mixed.  If all else fails, have your Vet Tech or Groomer trim the nails. 

A quick grooming skips the brushing and involves:  a quick shampoo, rinse, ear cleaning, and if possible nail trim.  If possible, limit bathing to once a month. Overbathing can strip your Weim’s coat of much needed oils.  It is better to leave the natual oil than to need to add oil in the diet to counteract over bathing.  In between baths try a waterless shampoo spritz or even the ACV mixture.  Spray on and towel off.  

If your lifestyle requires more bathing then we suggest getting a very mild shampoo and limiting baths to once a week.  Regardless, your Weim has to smell good enough to be in the house.  Sometimes depending upon the weather a quick rinse with the garden hose will clear up the issue and permit your Weimie access to the house.  

In general Weims stay very clean.  They require little grooming.  When bathed they dry quickly.  A little brushing here and there and there should be little evident hair.  The twice a year shedding of their coat can be controlled with the in depth grooming tips above.  

Keeping your Weim used to the grooming process is important.  Remember they are concrete thinkers and if they know this is the routine they are going to be more apt to submit and work with you.  We love the little dancing and prancing routines they provide after the process is completed.  

We hope these tips are useful……….happy grooming!  ~ Shela and Cliff

Here is the link to the Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) information again: http://owyheestar.wordpress.com/2009/05/26/acv-for-weims/

 

Note:  If you are part of the extended OwyheeStar family or are on our waiting list, then please feel free to share your pointers, experiences, or helpful hints.  I am sure everyone would appreciate your thoughts.