English Toy Terriers are generally low maintenance when it comes to keeping them healthy, fit and happy.
Skin & Coat
Grooming
English Toy Terriers are generally low maintenance in terms of grooming. They have short, dense coats that do not require a lot of attention. A weekly brush and a very occasional bath is all it all takes to keep them looking good. We recommend rubber brushes designed for dogs with sensitive skin, English toy terriers can’t resist a massage!
Bath time
To keep your dog’s coat looking and feeling it’s best (or to tackle dreaded fox poo…), your dog will need the occasional bath. We recommend using all natural shampoos and conditioners, be sure to read the label.
Scruffy Chops dog shampoo is made in Britain by Spa-based (human) skin care brand Spa Find & Dead Sea Magik. They specialise in high-end, affordable, cruelty free skin products, using muds and minerals from the Dead Sea.
Scruffy Chops Shampoo & Conditioner is a blend of oatmeal with Dead Sea minerals, and helps maintain a clean, black and shiny coat.
Oils & Supplements
Adding oils and supplements to your dog’s diet can do wonders for their skin and coat. Salmon oil, coconut oil and Dorwest’s Omega Star Oil are high in omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids which provide a wealth of health benefits.
Fish Oil
Read more about the benefits of oils in your dogs diet:
We highly recommend Kronch Salmon oil.
Human grade cold pressed European salmon. You can buy cheaper salmon oil, but the quality will suffer.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has become increasingly popular over the years in human nutrition, as well as canine nutrition. You can find coconut oil in all main supermarkets.
Read more about the benefits of oils in your dogs diet:
Dorwest’s Omega Star Oil
Again, this oil is high in Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, important in regulating skin renewal, keeping scurfiness under control and improving coat condition and quality.
It’s a blend of 3 oils:
Flax Seed Oil
Blackcurrant Seed Oil
Borage Seed Oil (Starflower)
Shedding
English Toy Terriers shed (minimally) all through the year, but more so during the darker, colder months when their coats get thinner. When the sun returns their coats tend to improve. Dorwest’s Kelp Seaweed Powder is a great supplement for promotion coat growth and pigmentation, especially in Winter.
Health Check Up
Visit your veterinarian at least once a year and have your dog checked and have the vaccinations kept up to date.
The recommendations made in this article do not replace the advice of your veterinary professional. Always exercise your own judgement about whether something is right for your dog and consult your vet if you are unsure. Englishtoyterrier.co.uk accepts no liability for any situation that may occur as a result of following these recommendations.
Dental Care
80% of dogs have some form of periodontal
disease by the age of 3
Your dog’s dental care is very important. You should brush your dogs teeth regularly for 2-5minutes at a time, if your dog will allow. Early training is key. Chewing raw (never cooked) bones will also help remove plaque.
In addition, you can also use Plaque Off. Plaque Off is a natural powdered product that you add to your dogs food. It works by reducing the ‘stickiness’ of plaque and soften hardened tartar so it can be brushed off.
Dental Care Guide PDF
It’s important to keep on top of your English Toy Terrier’s nails. Nails that are too long constantly touch the ground and exert force back into the nail bed, creating pain for the dog and pressure on the toe joint. Long term, this can realign the joints of the foreleg and make the foot looked flattened and splayed.
Tools
How to trim your dog’s nails is a matter of what suits you and your dog. Many people use:
Nail grinders
English Toy Terrier nails are black, which can make it difficult to see where the blood supply starts. Grinders are useful to grind down the nail gradually and make it easier to avoid bleeding.
However, they can be noisy and frightening for your dog if you don’t get them used to it slowly from a young age.
Traditional Nail Clippers
These are what most are familiar with. You can get clippers with guards that stop you cutting off too much at a time. They can be tricky to use, especially if your dog likes to wriggle, because you have to position the nail perfectly to avoid an accident.
Nail files
Some people prefer to file their dogs nails slowly whilst watching tv when their dog is relaxed and sleepy! This is arguably the safest and stress free method – if your dog will tolerate it for an extended period of time.
The recommendations made in this article do not replace the advice of your veterinary professional. Always exercise your own judgement about whether something is right for your dog and consult your vet if you are unsure. Englishtoyterrier.co.uk accepts no liability for any situation that may occur as a result of following these recommendations.
Our Guide To Correct Nail Trimming
The blood supply is called a quick. In a short nail, the quick will be short.
The quick grows with the nail. A long nail will have a long quick.
- If you cut here, you will cut the quick and the nail will bleed
- If you cut here, the blood supply/quick will recede
Clip or use a Dremel/grinder to file a little off each day. The quick will start to die back.
Every time you trim the nail, the quick dies back further.
Once the quick has receded sufficiently, the nail can be cut to the correct length, without bleeding.
A correctly trimmed nail. Short with a short quick.
TIP
After trimming, rub coconut oil between your hands to melt it and rub on your dogs nails and paws. It nourishes and moisturises their pads and they love to lick it as a reward for letting you do the deed too!