Carolina Dog Grooming

The Carolina Dog, a primitive, fairly rare breed that's believed to be descended from the Australian Dingo, has pretty low grooming needs. These dogs shed a good bit during shedding season, so they'll need frequent brushing during that time--but not much other grooming is necessary. See below for further details on maintaining a Carolina Dog's coat.

With its short-haired, smooth coat, Carolina Dog grooming needs are pretty minimal; this is a "brush-and-go" breed for sure. These dogs have double-layered coats that shed lightly for most of the year, and more heavily during the spring and fall shedding seasons, so they'll normally need brushing only once a week (except during shedding season, when they'll need it 3-4 times weekly). Carolinas that live in colder regions usually have coats that are a bit thicker, so the shedding may be a bit more profuse, and those dogs may need more frequent brushing. Carolinas also tend to clean themselves often, so baths are needed only when they get especially dirty or stinky. Haircuts and professional grooming aren't needed at all.

For regular brushing, a bristle brush works best on these short-haired dogs; though Carolinas' coats don't mat or tangle much, you many also want to have a 2-in-1 comb in case you run across a stubborn hair snarl. To brush your Carolina Dog: first wet the coat with water mist from a spray bottle, then starting at the shoulders, brush the coat section by section moving in the direction of hair growth. If you do encounter a tangle or mat, first try working it out with your fingers, then finish working through it with the 2-in-1 comb.

If you plan to follow the brushing with a bath (and your Carolina will need a thorough brushing prior to bathing): you can use either a bathtub or an outdoor kiddie pool and a garden hose. Also make sure to use canine shampoo, as the kind made for humans can irritate the dog's skin. First wet the coat thoroughly, then apply a quarter-sized amount of shampoo to the dog's back; lather well, working downward and outward as you go. (And don't forget the belly and insides of the legs!) Finish with the chest and neck, then use a washcloth to clean the head, ears, and neck. Rinse completely, towel-dry, then give the coat another quick brush-through to make it look clean and neat.