Surface brushing hides a painful secret against your dog's skin. Discover why 'fluffy' is often a trap.
Your dog looks fluffy on top, but a solid sheet of felt is forming underneath. In New Zealand's humidity, this 'pelting' happens fast.
Damp weather and wet Waitakere bush walks trap moisture in the undercoat. Friction turns that moisture into tight, painful knots.
For Doodles or Spaniels, basic brushes won't cut it. You need a long-pin slicker brush from Petstock or Animates to reach the skin.
A metal comb is your lie detector. If it doesn't glide from the skin right to the tips, the job isn't done yet.
Work from the bottom up. Use your hand to hold the fur up, revealing a horizontal 'line' of skin. This is your starting point.
Use short, gentle strokes to brush the hair away from your hand. You must see skin with every single stroke.
These sticky NZ seeds are mat magnets. They hide in armpits and behind ears. Line brushing is the only way to find them.
Found a mat? Put the kitchen scissors away. Dog skin is paper-thin. One slip means a $300 emergency vet trip.
Only drop a tiny bit of hair from your hand at a time—about 1cm. It is a slow, methodical process that ensures zero knots.
Regular line brushing prevents the 'pelted' coat that forces groomers to clip your dog to the skin. Your dog will thank you.
Surface brushing is for looks. Line brushing is for health. It prevents hotspots and the silent pain of hidden mats.
Get the full equipment list and step-by-step videos to keep your dog mat-free and comfortable.