Cesky Terriers do require a time and financial commitment to grooming.
The coat is soft and genuinely non-shedding, but like most non-shedding
breeds, the coat will mat if not cared for properly. Keeping
a Cesky in show coat requires some effort. Many pet owners choose
to minimize this by keeping the coat shorter than the standard dictates.
Be sure to consider this grooming commitment before adding a Cesky to your
family, as professional grooming is a regular expense and even at-home
grooming requires time and an investment in supplies and equipment.
Brushing
The adult Cesky Terrier should be brushed and combed out at least once
a week. Combing is important, as brushing with a slicker brush alone
does not remove tangles close to the skin.
Regular brushing and combing is even more important for
puppies, as puppy coats tend to mat more than adult coats.
It is recommended that you comb puppies daily, and be sure to comb the
hair in both directions with a fine enough comb to remove the smaller mats.
Keeping up with the coat will make grooming a much more pleasant experience
for you and the puppy. Combing a puppy daily takes about 5 minutes
and is well worth it! You will find that once the adult coat comes
in, matting is much less frequent.
If mats do develop, you can remove them carefully using the edge
of the comb. DO NOT bathe a matted dog, as it will make the mats
harder to remove. You may use some conditioner on the mats if they
are severe, to help comb them out. Watch the armpits for mats as
the rubbing when the dog moves may cause mats to develop. Also check
between the pads and keep the hair trimmed to avoid mats here that can be
difficult to remove. Wet weather can also cause matting.
Clipping
The Cesky is trimmed with electric clippers, even for showing.
They are not hand-stripped like many terrier breeds. Clipping should
be done about every 6-10 weeks depending on your dog’s coat and the climate
where you live.
Many people learn to groom their own dogs, but you may choose to use
a professional groomer. Many groomers are not familiar with the breed,
so you may want to bring some pictures they can use as a guideline.
If you plan to groom yourself, you may want to purchase a handbook with grooming
chart available from the ACTC. It contains detailed grooming
instructions, including a diagram and suggested equipment for grooming yourself.
In the long run, it is less expensive to groom yourself, but it does require
an upfront investment in clippers, shears, etc. and it takes some time
and effort. If it is something you enjoy, it can be very rewarding
and a lot of fun. If not, it is probably best left to a professional.
Bathing
Bathing can be done prior to clipping the dog (about every 6-8 weeks).
If the dog gets particularly dirty in between, you may need to bathe more
often. Avoid bathing too often, as this can dry out the skin and
coat.
In cold climates, blow dry after bathing. In warm climates, you
may wish to let the dog air dry as this is easier on the coat and skin.
Use a good dog shampoo (because of the hair covering the eyes, tearless
shampoo is best for the face) and follow with a dog conditioner to keep
the coat healthy and make it easier to comb out. Be sure to rinse
the dog well with warm water after shampooing and conditioning. Some
glycerin ointment in the eyes prior to bathing can help avoid eye irritation.
This can be obtained from your vet, a pet supply store or catalog.
Supplies
If you plan to use a professional groomer, you will still need some
grooming essentials including:
-
Dog nail clippers (clip nails at least once a month)
-
Wire slicker brush (not too big and relatively soft)
-
Metal comb
-
Dog toothpaste and toothbrush
-
Styptic powder (QwikStop or other) to stop bleeding in case you cut a nail
too close
-
Small hair scissor to trim between pads and tidy up between groomings
If you plan to groom yourself, you will need all of the above, plus
some additional supplies:
-
Electric clippers with 7F and 10 blades (for show grooming, you will also need a
5F)
-
Oil or Cool Lube for clippers
-
40+ tooth thinning shear
-
Straight Shear
-
Ear powder for pulling hair from the ear canal (start this after 4 months
of age)
-
A grooming table or other secure and accessible place to groom
-
Dog shampoo and conditioner
