Winter is finally here, but so is the peak winter floof season, where dogs have achieved their ultimate winter bodies and have turned into the size and shape of small blimps, which means most pet parents are now scrubbing away their hairballs while they judge them from the sidelines like royalty.
They could easily do it on the hardwood floors, but that would be too practical; it’s much more fun to do it on the white carpet so that you can live out the fantasy that you’ve never had of being a Victorian chambermaid to a very beautiful slob.
Thankfully, we humans have attained enough advancement and technology to have electricity and our Bissell little green minis and Dysons at home. Small but strong enough to pull out Lord Theodore and Lady Meredith’s unlordlike and unladylike stench and stains with just a little spray, scrub, and suction.
Because at the end we all need something to save our sanity and upholstery during this sweet cozy deck the halls with bells of holly season. But some of these pups were born to take our pain a notch higher with their specialized grooming demands.
Born to keep us on our toes and always fetching them their warm towels and facial masks. But hey, hobnobbing beside royalty has its own perks, doesn’t it!
Dog Breeds & Their Specialized Grooming Demands
1. Puli
No other breed can be mistaken for a Puli, a compact, powerful herder hailing from the Hungarian steppes, and if you are asking why? Then let us tell you, there is so much character and complexity in a Puli’s coat that whoever sees it either mistakes these sheepdogs for sheep or falls so in love with them that their dreadlocks don’t intimidate them anymore.
Not to mention, these agile and faithful little dynamos are also quick learners and have an out-of-this-world temperament that increases any dog lover’s intrigue tenfold and multiplies the curiosity, which helps to give this pooch the attention it deserves.
Continental Kennel Club says this bold and bright pup descended from the ancient Magyar people who invaded Hungary several thousand years ago and requires grooming several times per week. Regular professional grooming every 4-8 weeks, regular bathing, and proper care are a must to keep its long-corded coat in its best shape.
Hence, if you ever come across this corded beauty, then you’d better be prepared to prime, trim their naturally occurring woolly, dense, and weatherproof dreads a lot.
2. Poodle (Standard)
There is no other dog that has gained so much popularity due to its curls as the German Poodle. The curly coat of this pup made it the talk of the town and a Parisian fashion icon.
This furry friend comes with its own set of demands and special grooming requirements. But a true Poodle lover never gets fazed by the amount of time, energy, and effort these pooches take away from their daily lives.
Word on the street is that these Poodles seem to have cast a spell on their proud and eager parents, as they are wickedly smart and adept at handling themselves and all things around them. Hence, once you get one of these curly-coated beauties home, be prepared to get enchanted and enthralled by their self-knowledge, awareness, charm, and true aristocratic panache.
These athletic and versatile active dogs excel in many arenas of work and need an elaborate grooming routine to keep their coat shining like a crowning glory. Their coat does require professional grooming every 4-8 weeks.
But also require regular maintenance to remove loose hair, prevent matting and painful tangling, which can cause skin irritation and discomfort.
But hey, there is also a bright side to adopting this curly-coated breed: you can style its hair however you want. Try the princess cut or puppy cut, magnificent continental cut, or cupcake cut; the whole world is your oyster. Also, this pooch doesn’t shed a lot and is hypoallergenic, which makes it an even sweeter choice.
3. Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu literally walks through life like Prince Charming and is undoubtedly the cutest, most affectionate, and outgoing dog you’ll ever find.
Surprisingly solid for its size, this lively charmer waltzed its life away in royal palaces and has specific grooming requirements that you need to keep up with for pleasing its royal highness.
It has a very particular taste and doesn’t live for digging holes or chasing cats, that’s too unlike for this handsome and mischievous pooch. Sitting on your couch like a little lion, while it acts all princely and adorable, is more of its style.
Orvis says, always delighted to meet you, this imperial lap warmer with fine hair needs a lot of consistent grooming for a healthy coat, and the most essential part of this routine care includes brushing to prevent matting, tangling, and shedding, which can be painful for your Shih Tzu and lead to skin infections.
P.S. Regular ear cleaning is also necessary for this Shih Tzu due to its adorably dangling floppy ears to prevent infections.
4. Maltese
Pristine and poised; when this princess of dogdom walks into the ballroom, everything else just fades into background noise. It is a literal picture of free-flowing elegance, balance, and beauty that effortlessly conquers even the most jaded sensibility.
Meet the queen of the puppy world with the most bedazzling big dark eyes, a cute gumdrop nose, and a show-stopping spotlight-worthy body.
This ultimate favorite of European royalty, queen and ladies gentle, fearless, and all things unique, has been sitting in the lap of luxury since bible was a work in progress and is nowhere near compromising when it is giving you such a regal experience just hobnobbing by its side.
Hardy, adaptable, and a game little athlete on the agility course, this Maltese is an all-rounder. Performer by day, cuddler at night, this Maltese is a long-haired dog, bestowed with strands of fur that match human hair, which, of course, needs shaping now and then to prevent tangles and maintain their long, silky white coat.
Try using a bristle brush to comb their luxurious locks to gently detangle and prevent matting and to distribute natural oils while removing loose hair, dirt, and debris buildup in their coat.
5. Yorkshire Terrier
Where other dogs have distinct coats, flowy tresses, and manes that need a lot of upkeep, this Yorkie takes it a notch further by also bringing a silky beard into the long list of work demanded from their Victorian chambermaids (Aka pet parents).
Glorifying, they are indeed, equipped with the beating hearts of a feisty old-time Terriers, brave and bossy attitudes, and glossy floor-length coats that just pump their self-important, big town personalities a notch higher. Long-lived and hypoallergenic, these beribboned lapdogs of Victorian ladies are a perfect combination of sweet and sour like holiday candy.
PetMD notes they are sprightly, tenacious little toys with the snuggly-ness and sass all encased in one rich golden or silver dog. But if you are captivated by this pup and want to bring these OG ratters home, then you’d better know they need a well-curated care package with regular grooming, manis, pedis, and spa days to keep their coat shiny.
6. Bichon Frise
Resilient, playful, and peppy in its attitude and irresistible, charming, and plush in its looks, this dog and its coat deserve to be honored because this pooch has survived history’s ups and downs, from the stormy Renaissance periods to revolutions, due to its striking white coat and a dash of wit and intelligence.
It might stand a shade under a foot tall, but it is one of the world’s greatest personality pups since antiquity. Hence, it very well deserves to be treated like royalty, and why should not when this dog draws smiles and hugs wherever it goes, gains you a ton of good friends, love, and a whole entertaining package of elite comedic flair.
Velvety to the touch, a Bichon Frise’s rounded head hair and gloriously soft body is so therapeutic, it gives a sense of peace and calm to a weary heart, and their always alert and curious temperament makes them a joy to raise and watch.
Bichons are also hypoallergenic but do need professional grooming to keep their signature style and elegantly plump appearance intact. Bichons are blessed with a delicate curly coat that is prone to tangling and painful mats. Hence, it is necessary to groom their white fur, brush regularly to keep these true-born Romeos in their best cuddly shape.
7. Afghan Hound
Independent, sweet, and the epitome of sublime beauty, you wouldn’t ever expect that this canine aristocrat hails from a rugged realm of the Afghan steppes. Because this magnifique regal companion of Barbie is haughty and glamorous in its trot and temperament.
According to the AKC, breed experts say that the Afghan Hound is not a breed for all would-be dog owners; it is a special breed for special people, and where the dog and owner combination is right, no other animal can equal this Afghan Hound as a pet.
Not to mention that, among other unique beauties, this long-haired breed is actually a single-coated fella who doesn’t shed a lot like other quintessential winter breeds. But, indeed, the long silky coat and shiny locks of this Afghan pooch do require regular brushing to prevent tangles and matting, and also regular trimming to keep their coat in the best shape.
So yes, this pup is highly energetic and active, slightly low shedding, but extremely high maintenance. A swish of a brush here and there does not even put a dent in the long list of grooming needs this sensitive skinned barbie has in the special nighttime care routine.
Conclusion
These pups fuel the careers of professional groomers and are the reason pet salons earn their high turnovers each year. Because frequent brushing for taking out loose hair doesn’t cut it for these curly double-coated breeds.
They need endless grooming appointments aligned consistently throughout the month, and every week, to help owners manage shedding and others to puff and fluff their furs to make them look like living, breathing clouds of candy floss.
Some other pooches bestowed with grace, tenderness, and a whole lot of beauty include the Golden Retrievers, Portuguese Water Dogs, Curly Coated Retrievers, Siberian Huskies, and Cocker Spaniels, which also need a whole lot of cleaning, brushing, and care in their daily routines.
