If you are going to groom your own dog then you should make sure that you are well stocked with proper grooming tools. The basics of what you will need are a brush, and comb and possibly some scissors. Of course different types of coats on a dog will necessitate different types of grooming tools. For example, longer hair dogs will need a different type of brush than a shorter haired variety of dog. The same is true for straight coats and curly coats, but the basic list of dog grooming tools that you will need are as follows.

Bore’s Bristle Brush: For a long hair dog this is a great tool for removing undercoats and in removing mats that might have occurred in the undercoat.

Bristle Brush: These come in 3 basic varieties, stiff, medium and soft. They are used on short haired breeds and are good for regular brushing and for removing undercoats on longer haired breeds

Chamois: For a short haired breed you can’t beat the chamois for polishing their coat.

Comb. Try to get a steel tooth comb that is medium on one side and fine on the other, that way you can use it on most breeds of dogs

Snap-on Comb: If you want to do a quick clean up on your dog you can’t beat the snap-on comb. Simply slip it over a blade and it will leave a uniform clean cut coat on your dog. The snap-on Comb comes in a few different sizes.

Hound Glove: Used for grooming various short haired breeds in the hound family

Cage Dryer: This is a drying fan that attaches to the cage and dries the dog while it is inside the cage. Most cage dryers come with a heater so the dog isn’t too cold.

Floor dryer: Used mainly for “fluff drying” the floor dryer directs air onto the dog and helps to dry it. The floor dryer generally has a long arm and can be moved into various positions depending on the type of dog you are drying.

High Speed Floor Dryer: Similar to the other floor dryers except this on have a higher speed motor on it for fluff drying long hair breeds such as Poodles and Sheepdogs.

Grooming Post and Loop: Try to find a grooming post that is portable, so it can be attached to the table anywhere you need it. The loop fits over the dogs neck to keep him in place and keep him from hurting himself.

Grooming Table: A grooming table is typically about 2 to 3 feet and folds for easy moving and storage. They are about 30″ high and typically come with a rubber matting on the top of the table for comfort and to keep the dog from sliding around. A table this size is quite versatile and can be used for many different dog breeds.