Your dog’s natural curls are beautiful. They give your pet a unique look and playful bounce. To keep those curls defined, hydrated, and full of life, a specific grooming routine is helpful. The right products and techniques can make all the difference, especially when it comes to the final touches.
Understanding Curly Coats
Curly and wavy coats need special attention to maintain their distinctive pattern. Without proper care, curls can lose their shape, become frizzy, or even mat. The goal is to enhance their natural spring and bounce, ensuring each curl is well-hydrated and distinct. This means avoiding harsh drying methods and choosing products that offer deep moisture without weighing the coat down.
The Bathing Foundation for Curls
Every great curl starts with a good bath. For curly and wavy coats, the Starfire’s Canine Care line recommends a specific bathing protocol to set the stage for defined curls. Begin by bathing your dog with Deluge, an all-rounder shampoo that provides moisture, mirror shine, and balanced volume. For extra moisture, you can mix Deluge with Arrogance, a shampoo designed for extreme hydration that promotes a straight, silky fall without added volume. You can explore all your options on our shampoos page.
After shampooing, blot the coat with a Big Size Microfiber Towel to make it damp. Then, apply a mask. Fortaleza Treatment is the ‘queen of hydration’ mask, offering maximum nutrition and an extraordinary shine. It seals dry or damaged ends. Another option is Insolence, a botanical rinse-out conditioner for dry coats, which also works as a mask for curls. Leave the mask on for at least 45 minutes. Always finish with plenty of cold water to seal the cuticle and lock in moisture.
Combing and Re-Spraying for Definition
Immediately after the cold rinse, while the coat is still damp, spray Jealousy generously. This is the most concentrated hydration spray in the line, and it’s key for curly coats. It helps define curls and adds intensive moisture. Use a wide-tooth comb from our Professional Combs set to gently detangle the coat. Start from the ends and work your way up, being careful not to break up the curl pattern. You can re-spray Jealousy lightly as you comb to keep the curls hydrated and separated. For show days, a very small amount of Pride can be worked into areas like the neck, tail, and legs where you want extra control and volume.
Drying Curly Coats
How you dry a curly coat is as important as how you wash it. Never use a force dryer on a curly coat, as this can break up the curl pattern and cause frizz. Instead, use a diffuser on a low heat setting, or allow your dog’s coat to air-dry naturally. This helps preserve the integrity of each curl, allowing it to form beautifully.
The Finishing Touch
For a final touch, especially before a show or a special event, a finishing mist can add a touch of sparkle and radiance. Once the coat is dry, a light mist of Envy provides a glitter-like radiance. This finishing mist is sprayed right before entering the ring, giving the coat a beautiful, luminous sheen without weighing it down. You can find more options for your dog’s coat on our sprays page.
What you need
- Deluge or Arrogance: To cleanse and hydrate the coat during the bath.
- Big Size Microfiber Towel: To blot the coat before applying a mask and after rinsing.
- Fortaleza Treatment or Insolence: To provide deep hydration and seal coat ends.
- Jealousy: To spray immediately after rinsing and again while combing for concentrated hydration and curl definition.
- Professional Combs: For gentle detangling with a wide-tooth comb.
- Pride: For added control and volume on show days.
- Envy: For a finishing touch of radiance before a special occasion.
For a routine built specifically for your pet’s needs, visit our Grooming Advisor page.