Gun Dog Breeders: Grooming Tips for Appalachian Turkey Dogs

Gun dog breeders of the Appalachian turkey dog know how vital it is to keep their dogs healthy and active. Hunting dogs like the Appalachian turkey dog are very active, so in order to stay healthy, a proper diet, plenty of exercise, and regular grooming is essential.

According to Outdoor Life magazine, Appalachian hunting dogs come from a combination of purebred pointers, setters, and Plott hounds. The Appalachian typically has relatively short hair which makes grooming easy to manage.

Here are a few grooming tips for Appalachian turkey dogs that will keep them happy and healthy.

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1. Bathing
Giving a short-haired dog a bath requires that the shampooing process is gentle. Since this breed does not have long hair, it is not necessary to scrub the dog as deeply as one with long hair. Grooming experts at Beneful.com suggest using a massaging motion when applying the shampoo and to start at the head of the dog and to work your way to the tail. Speaking calmly to the dog and petting it during the bathing process helps to soothe an anxious dog and establish trust with the owner. It is advisable to not bathe a dog more than once a week in order to prevent excessive drying of the coat.

2. Protect the Ears
In order to prevent future ear problems, many gun dog breeders place a cotton ball close to the ear canal of the dog so that water does not have a chance to seep in and cause infections. According to the ASPCA, removing ear wax and other debris with a slightly wet cotton ball helps to keep the inner ear of the dog healthy.

3. Brushing Teeth
Brushing the teeth of an Appalachian turkey dog is just as important in the grooming process as it is for people. It is recommended to use toothpaste made specifically for dogs as human toothpaste can contain chemicals that are harmful to dogs if swallowed. Giving the dog dental dog bones also helps to remove plaque and keep teeth strong and shiny.

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