Grooming a Brittany Is a Simple Task

The Brittany's coat requires no special care nor intricate trimming. However, in order that it will look its best and reflect the dog's inner good health it should be brushed every few days or at least every week. In the Fall the coat grows heavier, especially on dogs which are kenneled out­doors. At this time the dead hairs of the summer coat are shed. Shedding in the Spring, when the winter coat drops out is usually more excessive.

You can help the process along by giving the coat daily attention. Take your dog outdoors or stand him on paper in­doors and run both your hands down his back and sides from his neck to his tail. Then knead or massage his skin with your fingers and repeat the stroking. This will loosen and work out a surprising amount of hair that would other­wise drop out on your rugs and upholstery! Finish with a vigorous brushing, using a fairly stiff bristled brush. A coarse-toothed comb can be used for the feathering on the legs. The "furnishings," the longer hair on legs, rear, and underbody, are never profuse on the Brittany, but they do gather burrs in the field. Look for them and work them out. They often get entangled in hair close to the skin. While you're about it, look for ticks. They are bloodsucking para­sites that attach themselves to the dog's skin. They are more prevalent in some areas than others, but are becoming in­creasingly widespread.

With the many preparations that are available today for removal and control of ticks, lice and fleas there is little excuse for a dog having any of these debilitating parasites. Keeping an eye out for fleas is part of good grooming prac­tice. Get to work as soon as you find one and carry out the clean-up program to your dog's bedding or kennel as fleas breed in these places. During grooming look for signs of skin trouble. Have it treated before it gains headway. During treatment of any skin trouble keep grooming tools meticulously clean.

Look into your Brittany's ears occasionally. If they are filled with dirt and wax accumulation, take a piece of cotton on your finger, dip it in hydrogen peroxide, and clean them, using an outward motion so as not to push the dirt deeper.

Never probe into the ear as you may do serious damage; that is only for the professional. If teeth are yellow with tartar formation, have your veterinarian remove it.