Which Way To Brush

[Carol and Banjo]

I've been brushing Banjo for 2 years now....and I have ALWAYS brushed him in the direction of hair growth.   The brush is always full and needs to be cleaned out a couple of times a session.   Today ... for some reason I decided to brush him in the opposite direction of hair growth.   WOW!   The brush was filling up like no tomorrow!     After I was done I went over him again brushing in the direction of growth.   I have always thought this was the ONLY way you should brush a dog's coat.   Should I be brushing him out both ways?

He's always been a very light shedder - but lately he's been shedding more than usual.  I've attributed this to the sudden warm temps we've had.   We're visiting my mother in law and she's not a dog lover by any means so I'm doing my best to make sure Banjo is in tip-top shape!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I actually brush in both directions.  Particularly the legs.  I just find that for some reason it helps when I brush them up as well.  However, that is a totally untrained opinion, just what I do.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Banjo always looks tiptop to me. I brush mostly in one direction but a bit in the opposite way the hair grows too.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Yes, Carol, brush a small section in the opposite direction of hair growth then brush that same section the way the hair grows. I then comb that section. It's called line brushing. There is a lot about this in the grooming group. Banjo is such a gorgeous fluff ball. Love that little red-head!

[Carol and Banjo]

Thanks Bonnie : )   He is a fluff ball....maybe with this new method of brushing he'll be just a teeny bit less of a fluff ball.     I'm going to do this all the time now.    Fortunately he doesn't mat much....only when his hair is really grown out....I think if we start this new brushing I'll be able to get away with brushing just twice a week.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I brush Tara's hair in the direction of growth but her hair is very different then Banjo's. Her's is thin and fine. I think that if you find you are getting more hair out by back brushing then I would go for it. Perhaps this could help reduce the frequency of brushing needed as well as keep the shedding down. Win-win!

[Carol and Banjo]

Yep!    I think you're right Ricki thanks!