1. Short Hair: easy care, but frequent shedding

Breed examples: Labrador Retriever, Boxer, Doberman, Beagle, Pinscher

Advantages:

• Low daily maintenance
• Easy to wash and dry
• Less knotting or felting

Disadvantages:

• Frequent shedding, sometimes very visible on furniture and clothing
• Skin is more exposed to external aggressions (cold, sun)
• Coat may lack shine without proper nutrition

Solutions offered by Pitou, Minou and Compagnons:

• Weekly soft bristle brushes or grooming gloves
• Gentle shampoos with skin protection
• Food enriched with omega-3 and 6 fatty acids for healthy skin and a glossy coat

Sookie | Ahuntsic Location

2. Long Hair: beauty and elegance, but daily maintenance

Breed examples: Shih Tzu, Yorkshire Terrier, Lhasa Apso, Collie, Afghan Hound

Advantages:

• Spectacular, silky coat if well groomed
• Little shedding if well brushed regularly (some long hairs do not fall out naturally)
• Ideal for those who enjoy grooming

Disadvantages:

• Daily grooming mandatory to avoid knots and felting
• Professional grooming recommended every 4 to 8 weeks
• Sensitive to external debris (mud, twigs, snow, etc.)

In-store solutions:

• Detangling combs and brushes adapted to knots
• Detanglers and leave-in coat care products
• Protective outdoor clothing or boots
• Zinc- and biotin-rich food for strong coat growth

Yoda & Lea | Ville St-Laurent Location

3. Curly or woolly hair: hypoallergenic, but technical

Breed examples: Poodle, Bichon Frise, Lagotto Romagnolo, Labradoodle

Advantages:

• Little or no shedding, making it an excellent choice for allergy sufferers
• Less hair in the house
• Unique, soft-to-the-touch coat

Disadvantages:

• Tends to form tight knots if poorly groomed
• Requires regular trimming at the groomer (every 4 to 6 weeks)
• More technical grooming at home

In-store solutions:

• Special anti-tangle brushes and fine combs
• Moisturizing products for woolly coats
• Special diets for skin health (rich in omega, proteins and amino acids)

Gigi | Longueuil Location

Maurice | Outaouais Location

4. Wire-haired: robust, but needs to be plucked by hand

Breed examples: Schnauzer, Fox Terrier, Wirehaired Dachshund, Airedale Terrier

Advantages:

• Coat that hardly falls off (if plucked)
• Dense, waterproof coat
• Ideal for active outdoor dogs

Disadvantages:

• Special care: plucking is necessary to preserve coat texture
• Regular brushing required to avoid tangles in the undercoat

Pitou, Minou and Compagnons solutions:

• Manual plucking tools for experienced owners
• Hair strengthening products (B vitamins and keratin)
• Food for thick, resistant hair growth

Helena & Misha | Buckingham Location

5. Double coat: warmth and extreme moulting

Breed examples: Husky, Akita Inu, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Samoyed

Advantages:

• Excellent insulation against the cold
• Dense, protective coat
• Ideal for active outdoor dogs, even in winter

Disadvantages:

• Massive shedding in warm weather (often twice a year)
• Intense maintenance during moult
• Risk of undercoat tangling if poorly groomed

What we offer:

• Undercoat rakes and brushes
• Detoxifying bath and special “moult” shampoos
• Food enriched with vitamins E, zinc and oils to limit shedding and strengthen the coat

Jules | Mirabel Location

6. The hairless dog: bare skin, but not without care!

Example breeds: Chinese Crested Dog, Xoloitzcuintli, American Hairless Terrier

Advantages:

• No hair in the house
• No brushing necessary
• Hypoallergenic in most cases

Disadvantages:

• Skin very sensitive to sun, cold and irritation
• Regular skin care required (moisturizers, gentle baths)
• More prone to wounds, scratches and skin allergies

In-store solutions:

• Sunscreens for hairless dogs
• Protective clothing against cold and sun
• Perfume- and soap-free shampoos for sensitive skin
• Special food for sensitive skin, rich in omega and antioxidants

Whatever the coat type, we have the right solution!

At Pitou Minou & Compagnons, our commitment is clear: to offer the very best in canine care, whatever your dog’s coat type. In addition to our expertise, we offer in-store:

✔️ Brushes, combs, grooming gloves, claw trimmers, specialized shampoos
✔️ Professional skin care and untangling products
✔️ Food ranges designed for coat health, including the best brands on the market
✔️ Nutritional supplements: fish oils, brewer’s yeast, biotin, collagen
✔️ Personalized advice based on your pet’s breed, age and state of health.

Laurence & Sissi | Rosemère Location

Alfred | Gatineau Location

And what about nutrition?

A beautiful coat starts in the bowl. A well-nourished dog will have a softer, stronger, shinier coat, and will shed less. Depending on your dog’s coat type, our in-store experts will guide you towards:

• Formulas rich in quality proteins (for a strong, structured coat)
• Foods containing essential fatty acids (omega-3, omega-6)
• Recipes with brewer’s yeast, zinc, biotin and B vitamins (to promote regrowth and reduce shedding)
• Hypoallergenic formulas for sensitive dogs

We also offer advice on dietary transitions, appropriate dosages and complementary foods to boost skin health.

Conclusion: Choose with the right tools, care with expertise

Your future dog’s coat is an integral part of your daily routine: in terms of maintenance, interaction, time and energy. That’s why coat type should be a key criterion in the adoption process.

Fortunately, with the right advice, the right products and the support of the Pitou Minou & Compagnons team, you’ll be able to enjoy your companion to the full, without any worries or unpleasant surprises.

Visit our boutique today, whether you’re just starting to think about it or already have your dog at home. Together, we’ll find the best solutions for caring for your dog’s coat with love, expertise and efficiency.