Barbado da Terceira Grooming Recommendations

Prevention of Matts:

• Regular Brushing: Brush your dog frequently, ideally daily or every other day. The best brush for BDT’s coat is Kenchii.  I’ve tried knock-offs, and there really is a difference.
• Target Problem Areas: Pay extra attention to areas where mats commonly form, such as behind the ears, under the armpits, on the belly, and around the tail. This is especially the case as puppy hair falls out and adult hair comes in. 

Removing Existing Matts (Be Gentle). It may take several days. Stop when your dog has had enough and continue on another day.

• First, shampoo your BDT with Frasier Essentials. Follow up with Frasier Essentials Conditioner.  It’s expensive, but in concentrated form, lasts a long time. BDT owners hae been offered a discount.  Please email jking2017@gmail.com, who negotiated a discount for BDT owners and who will give you the discount code. This shampoo and conditioner gets out stains if one follows directions.
• Towel dry and then blow dry.  Allowing your BDT to air dry can cause more mats.
• Spray with Ice on Ice detangler, which loosens mats.

• Work Slowly and Gently: Start at the ends of the mat and work your way towards the skin. Use a “line brushing” technique, where you separate small sections of hair and brush them out completely before moving to the next section.
• Hold the Skin: When brushing or combing near the skin, place your fingers between the mat and the skin to prevent pulling and pain.
• Take Breaks: If your dog becomes stressed or uncomfortable, take a break and try again later.
• Professional Help: For severe or large mats, it is always best to seek help from a professional groomer. They have the right tools and expertise to safely remove mats without causing pain or injury to your dog. In some cases, severely matted dogs may need to be sedated for the matts to be shaved off.

If you will be taking your BDT to a professional groomer, show the following photos as examples of how the coat should be cut.

When grooming the Barbado da Terceira, the muzzle should be rounded, with the hair slightly longer on the muzzle and top of the head compared to the body. The ears are triangular. The body hair should be a uniform length, achieved with a scissor cut. While the coat length is a matter of preference, it is crucial never to sheer the fine double coat close to the skin. Doing so will permanently alter the composition of the dog’s coat.

To groom yourself, you’ll need the right equipment. The links provided offer some options, but feel free to explore other price points and brands that fit your needs and budget.

• Dog clipper and Attachments.  You must use the attachments because the clipper gets hot and can burn the skin. You also want the proper length.  I use ⅝ – 1.5 inches depending on the severity of matts at any given time. Please don’t cut so short that the undercoat is shaved off. 
• Scissor Kit

How to Groom Triangular Ears