Let's be honest: choosing a Poodle, a Maltese, or a Shih Tzu and then complaining about brushing is a bit like buying a Ferrari and then being surprised because "it uses so much gas!"

Having a long-haired dog is a style choice, of course, but it's mainly a daily responsibility. In the salon, I often hear a litany of excuses: "I didn't have time," "He doesn't want to," "He gives me a dirty look when I get the slicker brush." Spoiler: the dog wasn't born with a slicker brush in hand, but you were (almost). Brushing isn't an aesthetic optional to make him look like a show puffball; it's pure well-being.

Brushing: an appointment, not a "let's see if I feel like it"

If your dog has continuously growing hair, the brush must become your best friend, at least every other day. A neglected coat doesn't just become "a bit messy": it turns into a tangle of knots that pull the skin, create irritation, and transform the next grooming session into a marathon of stress for everyone.

The original sin: dry brushing

Here we must be categorical: dry brushing is evil. Running a slicker brush over dry fur is the fastest way to break it. And guess what happens when the hair breaks? It creates micro-fragments that twist together like magnets, forming even more stubborn knots within a few days.

Before touching the dog, you need a moisturizer or a detangling spray. The hair must be elastic, it must glide. Without hydration, you are just fighting a losing battle against keratin.

The "Crush" technique: don't be afraid to brush

Brushing doesn't mean giving two gentle strokes with the brush while watching TV. The slicker brush should be used with firm movements. You must hear that typical "crush," the sound of the hair truly being worked from the root.

To avoid going crazy (and driving your dog crazy), use the divide and conquer method:

1. Body
2. Paws (start from the bottom, in layers, as if you were leafing through a book)
3. Head and Ears
4. Tail

The Comb: the only supreme judge

The slicker brush opens, but the comb judges. Many think they're done when the dog looks fluffy. Then I arrive with the comb, it gets stuck on the first pass, and silence falls in the salon. The comb is the verification tool: if it glides smoothly from root to tip, you've won. If it stops, there's a knot laughing at you. Pick up the slicker brush and start again.

The "Quail Nests": pay attention to critical spots

Knots are cunning creatures that love to hide where there is friction:

• Behind the ears: where the dog scratches or where the collar passes.
• The armpits: the realm of continuous friction.
• The paws and rump: areas with a high rate of movement.

In conclusion: consistency pays off

A well-groomed coat is not just "nice to look at"; it's a coat that doesn't hurt. When you bring a dog full of knots to the groomer, the work to untangle them is long and annoying.

Daily care is an integral part of the love you feel for him. It doesn't take hours; it takes ten minutes done well and the right tools: a professional slicker brush, a serious comb, and a lot, a lot of consistency.

Because remember: whoever chooses long hair also chooses the brush.

To achieve a perfect result effortlessly, here are the professional brushes I have selected for you.