Dematting and shave-downs

Mats form where hair rubs or stays damp: behind the ears, under the collar and harness, in the armpits, on the legs and around the tail. Loose tangles can be teased out with detangling spray, a slicker brush, a comb and a mat splitter. Once a mat has tightened against the skin it pulls every time the dog moves, traps moisture, and can hide sore or broken skin underneath, and brushing it out hurts.

Groomers work to a welfare rule often summed up as humanity before vanity: if brushing out a mat would hurt the dog, they clip under it instead, which usually means a short clip all over or on the affected areas. Several cite the Animal Welfare Act 2006, some cap dematting at 15 to 45 minutes, and most ask the owner to sign a matted coat form before a shave-down, because clipping close to the skin can show redness or nicks that the mats were hiding. Poodle crosses, doodles, bichons, shih tzus and long-coated spaniels mat most often, especially while the puppy coat changes, between about six and twelve months.

The fix is time between grooms. Poodles need a groomer every 4 to 8 weeks, poodle crosses every 6 to 12 and long silky coats every 6 to 8, and brushing at home down to the skin with a comb, not just over the surface. If your dog arrives matted, ask the groomer to show you the mats and to quote before starting, and ask whether they recommend a shave-down and a shorter schedule while the coat grows back. Where matting covers sores or the skin looks infected, the dog may need a vet first.