Carding a dog’s coat is about removing the dead or loose undercoat.
The top coat is left intact.
It helps dogs stay cool, keeps their coat laying flat and tidy and helps reduce shedding.
When carding we use a stripping knife, carding comb/stone or a rake, which is pulled through the coat in the direction that the hair is growing.
Undercoat is removed, but the long topcoat is kept intact.
Technique
Prep the coat with a slicker brush in the direction the hair grows to remove any fluff.
Hold the skin and stretch it in the opposite direction to the way you are going to card.
Place the carding tool at a shallow angle (30 degrees) and smoothly stroke down the body in the direction of the hair growth.
If using a carding comb, it is important to use the coarsest tool first to remove the bulk and then switch to a finer toothed comb for that smooth finish.
