Dingo Grooming

Overall Dingo grooming won't be too complicated--the difficulty will be in getting the animal to agree to the care. Since Dingoes (even domesticated ones) can be unpredictable and non-compliant, they may not let owners groom them at all. That said, this info is presented in cases where a Dingo allows the grooming to happen.

A Dingo's coat, while usually short-haired and pretty low-shedding, can be single- or double-layered and will vary in thickness. Brushing will only be needed once or twice per week--but if the coat is double-layered, it'll shed more heavily during the spring and fall shedding seasons; daily brushing is best during these periods. Use a bristle brush or grooming glove to brush these animals, moving in the direction of hair growth.

Baths will only be needed occasionally, and haircuts aren't necessary. (See detailed info on brushing and haircuts in the sections below.)

While owners can learn to perform all aspects of Dingo grooming themselves, it's good to take the animal to a professional groomer (supposing he or she agrees to the session!) at least once. The groomer can give the animal expert care, and provide tips on how to groom a Dingo at home.

From their centuries living in the wild, Dingoes instinctively keep themselves pretty clean--so bathing is only necessary if you have an especially smelly or dirty Dingo.

It's important when bathing a Dingo to use shampoo made for canines, as the human kind has a different pH and can irritate the animal's skin. The best shampoo for a Dingo includes brands like Earthbath, Burt's Bees, and Pro Pet Works.

Before the Dingo bath, give the animal a good brushing. You can bathe your Dingo in either a bathtub or an outdoor plastic pool using a garden hose. Wet the coat thoroughly, then apply some Dingo shampoo to the animal's back. Lather well, working downward and outward; don't forget the legs, underbelly, and tail! Clean the face, head, and ears with a washcloth, then rinse the coat completely.

Towel-dry the coat, then give the Dingo another quick brush-through to make the coat look fresh and clean.

In reality, these animals' coats are too short for haircuts--so the only Dingo "style" possible is the one it was born with! Even so, some people think shaving a Dingo coat short--especially if it's thick and double-layered--will make the coat shed less, and will keep the animal cool in summer. Actually, these ideas are both myths.

Double coats on canines protect the skin from the sun's rays; they also act as natural insulation, trapping cool air in hot weather and warm air in freezing temps. This means a shaved Dingo will be more susceptible to heatstroke and sunburn, and will get cold very easily.

Neither will a shaved Dingo shed any less. The only difference is that the shaved canine's shed hairs would probably be shorter.

So to anyone considering shaving a Dingo: put those clippers away!

In addition to its coat, your Dingo will need maintenance in other areas.

• Teeth: For a Dingo, dental care is important. Brush the animal's teeth 2-3 times per week with a regular toothbrush--but be sure to use canine toothpaste, as the kind made for humans can make Dingoes sick if they swallow it.
• Ears: If not cleaned periodically, a Dingo's ears will collect dirt, grass, and other debris, and even get infected--which could lead to hearing loss. Clean the ears monthly using canine ear cleaning solution (available at pet stores or online). Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions, and always use cotton balls (never Q-Tips!) to wipe out any excess solution.
• Nails: If Dingo nails click on hard surfaces, it's time for a trim. Use standard clippers to cut the nails as close to the toes as possible--but take care not to cut into the nail's quick (the blood vessel running through it), as doing so can make the nail bleed and be painful.