General Policies:
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Matted Coats:
A matted coat can be caused by neglect, not enough professional grooming, a lack of brushing, parasites, fleas and skin conditions if the dog is constantly scratching. A matted coat is extremely uncomfortable for your dog; it can inhibit the dogs ability to move freely, skin cannot breathe easily, and matts pull and tug at your dog when walking and moving. Matts are also prone to breeding bacteria, which can cause or exacerbate existing skin conditions. The only humane solution for a matted coat is a complete clip of the matted/pelted fur. The clipper blade needs to get under the mat to safely remove it- this will result in a very close to the skin shave. This in itself can sometimes cause skin irritations as the skin is suddenly released from the matted coat causing the blood to rush to the surface. This makes it itchy, so the dog may want to scratch. It is very difficult, and sometimes dangerous, to remove a matted coat as we have to use very sharp tools in a confined space between your dog's hair and skin. This not only creates discomfort for your dog, but also increases the risk that your dog may be accidentally nicked. Your otherwise well behaved dog may behave differently under these circumstances, which also poses a safety risk for ourselves and your dog should he/she become aggressive or stressed during the clip off. If we suggest your dog's coat to be clipped off it is for the benefit of your dog. Once the coat is off and we can assess what is underneath, we can recommend a grooming schedule to suit the style you would like to grow your dog into. If you don't want your dog's coat short, remember to brush and comb everyday and stick to the groomers schedule for your dog. We do offer an in-between brushing service to help you maintain the coat between grooms. See our services page for details. For more grooming advice or short demonstration on how to brush your dog, speak to one of the team, we're happy to help. Before & After of a very matted coat |