Originally, Belgian Malinois were used to herd sheep in Belgium. Usually used for police work or as a guard dog, this breed is smart, highly energetic, and highly protective.
Their work ethic, love, and training requirements make them great dogs. It is important to consider grooming with all dogs, however. Maintaining your dog’s health and happiness requires proper grooming.
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Table of Contents
Proper Brushing
There is nothing short or thick about the hair of the Belgian Malinois. As a result, they are easy to maintain and groom.
In comparison to heavy shedders, they don’t require much maintenance. Malinois dogs, for instance, are not known for being patient with long grooming sessions, which is a good thing for them.
Even so, your Belgian Malinois should be brushed twice a week at the very least. As the shedding season approaches, this frequency should increase. The Belgian Malinois needs to be shed at least every two days if possible.
Dogs’ coats benefit from brushing since it removes dead hair. Picking them up before they fall on the floor will save you the trouble later. You will find this much easier to handle later if you do this consistently.
Your dog’s lifestyle determines how often you should bathe him. A bath can be given to this athletic and highly intelligent dog as often as once a week up to once every six weeks.
By giving your pet regular baths and blowouts, and by brushing them often, you can maintain a healthy skin and coat.
A double coat provides protection from water and extreme weather conditions due to its extra dense undercoat and thick topcoat. A high velocity dryer is always helpful for blowing out any loose hair before bathing because of the thick, dense coat.
You may want to consider brushing your pup outside during shedding seasons. The house will be free of dog hair. You should do this in your backyard if you have one.
Before brushing your dog outside, consult with your neighbor if you share a backyard or porch. A dog’s hair flying all over their property might not be very appealing to them.
Bathing
The importance of brushing outweighs the importance of bathing. A little bathing every so often can be beneficial to your Belgian Malinois, but if you do it too often, it can be detrimental.
You run the risk of causing your dog serious skin problems if you bathe him more than he should. As a result, dog allergies will worsen due to an increase in dander.
In the event that your herder gets extremely dirty or stinky, you still should give him a sponge bath.
If you want to wash your dog with a shampoo intended for dogs only, make sure it’s a dog shampoo, not a human shampoo. Skin irritation and dryness can result from them.
Malionis’ coat will be soft and shiny if you use a dog conditioner. He might experience less hair loss if he uses a high-quality product.
Additionally, a flea bath is important, particularly if you let your dog go outside without using any other anti-parasite procedures. If your pet has a pest living on his coat, it will kill it, and you will be able to relieve him of the discomfort.
It’s important to brush your Belgian Malinois before bathing him. A healthy coat is ensured by brushing to remove tangles and mats. The same reasons apply to brushing him immediately after bathing.
Haircuts
There is no need for your Belgian Malinois to be groomed regularly or to get a haircut. Due to their relatively short fur, they require less maintenance compared to breeds with longer fur.
Keeping their fur brushed is the only maintenance they require. Your Belgian Malinois will not need to be groomed, so save yourself the expense.
To reduce the amount of shedding, some dog owners shave their dogs. You may even be advised to follow their example. Belgian Malinois can suffer severe health problems from this action, even though it is true that this will reduce shedding.
You shouldn’t shave any dog breed, including Belgian Malinois, unless your vet advises you to do so.
There is a reason why canines have hair. Dogs’ natural insulation process is disturbed when they are shaved. Shaving off dog hair will cause severe problems because they are important for regulating body temperature.
You will also leave your dog open to parasites and fleas if you shave him. Belgian Malinois are susceptible to insect bites and attacks without their hairs to protect them. It is also possible for bites to cause skin infections, which can then result in hair loss.
Parasite Removal
It is also important to groom your dogs so they are parasite-free. A pet that is not properly groomed can suffer from parasites which are hard to detect.
Dogs are frequently infested with fleas. It is important to prevent flea infestations in your home and on your Belgian Malinois before they get the upper hand.
Infections are also possible as a result of fleas that cause uncontrollable scratching. When your Belgian is outdoors frequently in warm weather, flea prevention is essential, such as topical liquid drops, pills, or collars.
Wash your pup’s bedding frequently and vacuum your home often to prevent fleas.
Lyme disease, along with other tick-borne illnesses and bacterial infections, can also be caused by ticks, which feed only on the blood of their hosts.
It’s important to prevent fleas and ticks from taking hold, and most flea preventatives kill both of them.
Make sure your pup is tick-free after outdoor adventures. Finding a tick can only be treated by removing it. Your veterinarian can provide you with a proper procedure in this situation.
Mites are also a problem for some dogs. The mites can cause both contagious and noncontagious mange, sarcoptic mange, which can spread very easily.
As a result of both, the skin becomes itchy, red and irritated, sores develop, and bald patches appear.
Preventing the spread of the disease is as simple as keeping your dog away from other infected dogs. Medicated baths and topical medications are usually used as treatment.
Among the most common infections are ringworms. Skin scaliness and loss of fur are common symptoms of ringworm. It is a type of fungus and is often associated with puppies, not worms as its name suggests.
As a result, it can spread quickly. Animal shelters, pet stores, and less reputable breeding facilities offer prevention, which involves no contact with other infected puppies. Oral and topical medications, along with bathing, will be used during treatment.
Common Skin Problems Belgian Malinois Face
Grooming is important for the health and well-being of dogs, especially those that have skin conditions. The breed is prone to skin problems such as,
Allergic Dermatitis
Inflammation of the skin accompanied by redness and itching is referred to as dermatitis. It can be very challenging to determine what allergen is causing allergic dermatitis, a skin rash caused by allergies.
An allergic Belgian Malinois may scratch constantly, causing a rash on the paws, the ears, the armpits, the groin, the underbelly, and between the toes that may be red, inflamed, and oozing.
There may be sneezing, watery eyes, licking, and biting as well as scratching and licking.
A plant, pollen, grooming product, food, and medications can cause allergic dermatitis. It may be necessary to change your diet or take allergy medication in order to control or cure this condition.
You can soothe the skin with a medicated or hypoallergenic shampoo, but make sure you rinse it well so you do not irritate the skin further. There are several different types of steroids, including creams, lotions, and oral steroids.
Food allergies may be treated by changing diet if they are caused by food. There may be a need for ongoing treatment when it comes to environmental allergens.
Dry Skin
There is a tendency for dry skin to feel itchy and flaky, which results in scratching. Infection can occur as a result of constant scratching, so it’s best to treat the issue promptly.
Possibly your Belgian Malinois’ dry skin is caused by the combination of the cold weather and dry heating in your home.
You should not bathe too frequently since you’ll strip the skin’s natural oils when you bathe with an oatmeal shampoo.
Everyone can benefit from the use of a humidifier, especially during the winter months. To ensure your pup’s skin and coat remain healthy, ensure its food and diet contain vitamins, minerals, and supplements.
Add omega 3 supplements to your diet by consulting your veterinarian. You should also keep an eye out for diseases like hypothyroidism, which may produce dry, itchy skin and rashes, particularly if the dryness persists well into summer.
Impetigo
There are pus-filled blisters that burst and form scabs when this condition occurs in puppies.
An abdomen with little fur is usually where it is found. Despite its appearance, it doesn’t pose a serious threat.
Treatment includes antibiotics, topical ointments, and medicated shampoo as well as topical staphylococcus ointment. It often clears by itself, but if it isn’t treated, it can spread.
Yeast Infection
Skin discoloration and itching are common symptoms. There is usually a bad smell associated with these infections in the summer.
There are prescribed shampoos, topical ointments, and oral medications that can treat yeast infections. High-carb diets can also be associated with yeast growth due to sugars found in carbohydrates.
The Right Tools
Your Belgian Malinois will need the exact same basic grooming tools regardless of whether its coat is long or medium-length, short or rough. If you want to keep your Belgian Malinois groomed, you may benefit from having some of these tools on hand.
Deshedding Rake
It helps you remove dead hair before it sheds by allowing you to brush through the thick coat.
Pin and Bristle Brush
Brushing your dog’s coat with a pin-and-bristle brush can help stimulate the skin and add shine and gloss. Make sure the pin side of the brush has rounded tips to protect your dog’s skin.
Stainless Steel Round-tip Comb
It may be useful to groom smaller or harder-to-access areas of your dog’s body with a stainless steel round-tip comb with two tine widths.
Detangling Spray
Your pup will find it much easier to work out any tangles if you spray detangling spray on him. Most detangling sprays also have a pleasant fragrance that lingers on your pet’s fur so it smells great. The scent is safe for dogs and won’t irritate the skin.
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For more information about Belgian Malinois Grooming, check out the video below:
