Single-coats vs. Double coats

Minimizing Mats

Traditional Shave-Down

Cording the Spanish Water Dog

The Spanish Water Dog is a rustic herding dog, and its coat and care reflect this.

Traditionally, the coat is allowed to grow naturally, without brushing or cosmetic effect. It is shaved off once or twice per year.

Don't let this fool you into believing the coat does not need care, however! As with any dog, keep an eye out for extremely tight mats that cause discomfort or hot spots. Regular baths and complete drying, either in the sun or in a crate drier, should also be a part of your dog's care.

Single-coats vs. Double coats

The hair follicles on dog's skin grow one single guard hair and a multitude of undercoat hairs. In some breeds, the amount undercoat hairs is significantly reduced. These types of coats are called "single coats". The SWD and its cousins the Portuguese Water Dog, Poodle, and Lagotto Romangolo share this type of coat. The other common trait that the water dog breeds share is the appearance of white hairs (sometimes called "threads") placed sporadically and without pattern throughout the adult coat. Sometimes people mistake this for graying or aging, but it is a natural appearance in black or brown coats.

Minimizing Mats

Similar to a sheep, the your SWD's hairs are curly and slightly wooly. The hairs themselves if viewed under a microscope have "hooks" down the entire hair. When several hairs rub together, the hooks interlock, creating a mat. With agitation, the mat can turn into a wad of felt.

You can significantly minimize matting in your dog's coat by changing the way you pet and wash your dog.

We all know, the SWD's coat is great fun to rub in circles with the entire hand. However, it is this rubbing action that makes mats the fastest. Splay your fingers when you pet your dog and allow the coat to run through them. Try not to rub in circles.

When washing and drying your dog, remember not to agitate or rub the hair. Put your shampoo in a plastic pitcher and run water hard into it, creating bubbles. It is the surface of the bubble that carries the dirt and oil away. If your dog has very dirty legs, dip the feet and legs into the pitcher and swirl it around, suspending the dirt in a bath. Pour the remaining shampoo over your wet dog. Squeeze the shampoo through the hair--do not rub! Rinse thoroughly. Towel dry by squeezing the moisture out of the coat--again, do not rub! Drying the dog in the sun or in a crate drier instead of with a blow drier will promote tighter curls.

Copyright © 2005 Spanish Water Dog Club
Last modified: 03/01/08