Catalan Sheepdog Grooming

The Catalan Sheepdog is a medium-sized, fairly rare herding dog with a medium- to long-haired, waterproof double coat. Overall grooming needs for this breed are moderate, and will include "double" brushing (described in more detail below), occasional baths, and optional coat trims.

Maintaining the Catalan Sheepdog coat is detailed in the following section.

Catalan Sheepdog grooming needs are moderate overall. These dogs shed a fair amount for most of the year, and more heavily during the spring and fall shedding seasons; the longish coats also tend to tangle and mat if not brushed regularly--which means Catalans need brushing 2-3 times per week. Baths, though, are only necessary when the dog is particularly dirty or stinky, as too-frequent bathing rids the coat of its naturally waterproof oils. Haircuts aren't required at all, though some owners trim their Catalans' coats occasionally to keep them looking neat.

Brushing: A combo brush--with pins on one side and tight bristles on the other--is best for brushing these dogs. A good 2-in-1 comb will come in handy as well. To brush: first wet the coat with mist from a spray bottle to prevent hair breakage. Then, starting at the shoulders, go through the coat section by section with the pin side of the brush, moving in the direction of hair growth. If you encounter a tangle or mat, first try working it out with your fingers, then continue working through it with the comb. You can also use the comb to go through the hair on the head, ears, and face. After this first deep brushing, go over the coat again with the bristle side to straighten and separate the thick hairs.

Bathing: Catalans can be bathed either in a bathtub or in an outdoor kiddie pool using a garden hose. Bathe as follows: first give the dog a thorough brushing. Then wet the coat completely, and apply a quarter-sized amount of shampoo to the dog's back. (Make sure to use canine shampoo, as the kind made for humans can irritate the dog's skin.) Lather well, moving downward as you go; lather the underbelly, legs, and tail, then finish by using a washcloth to clean the head, ears, and face. Rinse completely, towel-dry, then give the coat another quick brush- or comb-through to make it look clean and neat.

Haircuts: These dogs don't need haircuts at all--but some owners have their Catalans' coats trimmed a bit to keep them looking sharp and growing uniformly; this often includes trimming the hair around the eyes and ears so the dog can see and hear better. And while shaving a Catalan is possible, doing so is not recommended, as this will dramatically alter the look and texture of the coat once it grows back.

Owners can certainly learn to trim their Catalans' coats themselves, but at least one trip to a professional groomer is recommended. The groomer can demonstrate the proper trimming methods, and provide tips on how to groom a Catalan Sheepdog in general.