Grooming Supplies
Labs are the original low-maintenance breed. Their short coat is easy to care for — although it sheds heavily. Beyond regular brushing to keep the coat healthy and shiny, all a Lab needs to stay looking handsome is eye and ear cleaning, nail trimming, dental hygiene, and the occasional bath when he's splashed through a swamp or had a run-in with a skunk. A rubber curry brush, a shedding blade, a wire slicker brush, nail trimmers, and a doggie toothpaste and toothbrush are the tools you'll rely on to keep your Lab looking and feeling his best. Other grooming supplies you might want to keep on hand are a shampoo formulated for dogs, a coat-conditioning spray, a flea comb, and a nondrying ear cleanser.
Brushes
Rubber curry brushes are oval-shaped to fit comfortably in the hand. Some come with a strap that fits over the hand. The short, nubby bristles on curry brushes loosen coat hair and dirt, and give the coat a polished look. The massaging action the brush provides just feels good. Variations on the rubber curry include a knobbly glove that fits over the hand (sometimes referred to as a hound mitt) and rectangular brushes with rubber teeth or knobs (such as the Zoom Groom).
Labs have what is known as a double coat: a short hard outer layer offers protection from ground cover and brush, while a soft undercoat provides warmth and helps keep the dog dry.
Hair Removal Tools
The metal shedding blade removes clouds of Lab hair. Use it once or twice a week after first brushing with the curry. Stroke it over the body as if you were peeling a potato. A shedding blade has sharp edges, so don't bear down too hard, and avoid using it on the dog's legs. With the help of the shedding blade, your Lab will leave a lot less hair lying around the house.
A wire slicker brush is rectangular in shape with thin, curved wire bristles on the pad and a handle to make it easy to hold. The slicker brush is useful for removing clumps of dead hair that may build up if a Lab hasn't been brushed for a while. It also stimulates the skin, promoting blood circulation and new hair growth. Use it before a bath if your Lab has clumps of dead hair that need to be removed. You're most likely to find these clumps on the hindquarters, the backs of the thighs, and the chest.
Nail Trimmers
Most Labs' nails wear down quickly, but every once in a while they may need trimming. A dog's thick, tough toenails require a specific type of nail trimmer. Look for pliers-style nail trimmers at the pet supply store. Nail clippers can have two cutting edges or a single blade that works like a guillotine to slice off the nail tip. Most groomers and dog experts like the clippers with the orange handles, which are easy to grasp and have a sharp blade to slice off nail tips.
Toothbrushes and Toothpaste
Toothbrushes and toothpaste made specifically for dogs are available at the pet supply store or your veterinarian's office. For young puppies, use a gentle finger brush (one that fits over your index finger). Once their permanent teeth come in, you can purchase a soft dog toothbrush — it has a large head at one end, and a small head at the other to make it easy to get to all areas of the mouth. Toothpaste for dogs is often chicken or beef flavored to make it more palatable. Avoid using toothpaste made for people, as it can upset a dog's stomach.
When dogs eat, food particles and saliva accumulate on their teeth, forming a soft plaque that hardens into tartar. The bacteria trapped in the plaque contribute to bad breath and gum inflammation (gingivitis). Dogs with gum disease have a brownish buildup on teeth, swollen or bleeding gums, bad breath, or loose or broken teeth.
Shampoo and Conditioner
A dog's skin has a different pH level than that of a human. Shampoos for dogs are formulated not to strip away the beneficial oils that keep the skin and coat healthy. Choose a gentle deodorizing or conditioning shampoo that won't dry out your Lab's coat. Unless your Lab has parasites or other skin problems, he doesn't need a shampoo that contains flea- or tick-fighting insecticides.
Conditioners leave the coat shiny. You can apply one after the dog is shampooed, which is then rinsed out, or use a spray-on conditioner after the dog is dried. Coat conditioners with mink oil make the coat look extra shiny, especially if your Lab has a black coat.
Ear Care
Because Labs are water dogs and have floppy ears that hold in moisture and warmth, they're prone to fungal infections in the ear. To keep the ear environment healthy, wipe it out weekly with a 2-percent solution of acetic and boric acid. You can find appropriate ear cleansers at the pet supply store or from your veterinarian.
