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removing burrs from long haired dogs

3K views 12 replies 9 participants last post by  bucktales 
#1 ·
This is my first season hunting a long haired dog. I recently aquired a Llewllin Setter. Previous dogs were all Labs.

What is the best way to remove burrs (in particular ears and tail)?
 
#3 ·
I thought about that for the summer. I would like to leave some insulation on her for the hunting season. This dog is a lot "softer" than my labs.

Someone (on another forum) just suggested baby oil then comb right out. I will give it a shot.
 
#4 ·
I live in ND, so we've got winter here. I always clip my English Setter just prior to the start of the hunting season in September. By the time her hair grows out enough to snag burrs, most of the burs are gone, or softened up by fall rains, etc. so as not to present much problem. At the same time, by the time it gets cold, she's got enough hair to protect her.

Beyond that...dog show folks use "Show Sheen" or similar products that add a glossy coat to a dog's hair. This same product will (sometimes) make it easier to pull the burs out. Also, get a good pick/comb to help untangle matted hair/burrs. I generally find a whole selection to be necessary if my dog gets into burs before I've trimmed her.

Good luck...the long-haired dogs are good looking, but they do require more maintenance.

(BTW, my ES is pretty thin-skinned and takes a beating in brushy habitat, so I usually put a chest protector on her.)
 
#7 ·
tailcrackin said:
You can spray down with a horse product called....shosheen, its a sorta oily spray they use on horses to shine them, the burrs might get in fur lil, but wont stick, comes out very easily. And the trimming also works, very well. Cya Jonesy
I would second the sho sheen. It is a very slick spray on dressing for getting horses to shine in the show ring. I used it a long time ago on an irish setter that I had. THe burs should just comb right out.

Mike :D
 
#10 ·
A good metal comb works well to actually remove the burrs. This is why I prefer the Wirehairs over the longhaired breeds. I had a Boykin and as much as I liked that dog I hated the grooming. I also would shave him in summer and early fall letting him grow out all season.
 
#12 ·
baby oil. you can mix it in a bottle with water and spray it on if you want, then comb the burr out with a metal comb. i have never had a long haired hunting dog, but had a long haired mut housedog that used to follow the hunting dogs arround sometimes when we lived in the country. the burrs really stunk. this was a while ago so i don't know if the other products were available then, but this is what i found got them out the best.
 
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