Bath & Brush

What this visit is

Not every visit needs scissors. A Bath & Brush keeps coats clean and knot-free between grooms, and it’s the visit we recommend as a first appointment for dogs who’ve had bad grooming experiences elsewhere — there’s no clipper noise, just warm water and patience. We finish with a full brush-out to the skin rather than over the top of the coat, so matting never gets a head start. Nails and a face tidy can be added when you book.

Who it suits

Smooth, short and wiry coats that never need cutting, and long-coated dogs in the weeks between haircuts. It’s also our standing recommendation for a first visit — no clippers, no unfamiliar noises, just warm water and a slow brush-out. Double-coated dogs who are not yet due a full de-shed do well here too, and so do puppies who have outgrown their intro visit but are not ready to sit through a full groom just yet.

How the time is spent

The hour is mostly drying and brushing. We work a low-heat dryer through the coat in sections, then brush right down to the skin so nothing is left damp underneath, which is where knots and sore patches start. Shampoo gets chosen at the sink once we have felt the coat — oily, dry, flaky and itchy all want different things, and getting that choice wrong is what leaves a dog scratching two days later.

How often to come back

Every four to six weeks for most coats, and more often through spring and autumn when shedding picks up. Dogs who swim or roll in things are welcome sooner — an extra bath between grooms never does any harm, provided the coat gets dried properly afterwards. If your dog is on a haircut cycle, slotting one of these in halfway between grooms is the single easiest way to keep the coat out of trouble.