Hands-On Grooming
Hands-on grooming is the most important part of maintaining the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje coat. While the breed does not require elaborate trimming, regular grooming sessions prevent tangles, maintain coat health, and keep the dog comfortable. The key to grooming this breed successfully is consistency — short, regular sessions keep the coat manageable and prevent small tangles from developing into larger mats.
Start by running your hands through the coat from head to tail. This helps identify tangles and allows you to check the skin for debris or irritation. Areas that commonly develop tangles include behind the ears, under the front legs, inside the rear legs, and along the tail feathering. If a small tangle is found, apply a small amount of Moisture Plus Conditioner and gently separate the hair before brushing.
Line brushing works well for this breed. Lift a small section of coat and brush the hair underneath before moving upward — this method ensures the brush reaches the skin and removes loose undercoat effectively. Feathering should always appear natural and flowing; hold the feathering near the base when brushing to prevent pulling and brush outward toward the ends of the coat.
If the coat becomes dry during brushing, lightly mist the coat with Maxi Care to improve brush glide and prevent breakage. For persistently thin feathering, working a small amount of Silhouette through the ends adds fullness without stiffness.
Hair between the paw pads should be trimmed flush with the pads to prevent debris from collecting. The feet themselves should remain natural and tidy. The distinctive ear feathering should never be trimmed — grooming should focus on keeping the ears clean and free of tangles.
With regular grooming and proper bathing routines, the coat remains healthy, balanced, and easy to maintain.
