How to Groom Your Schnauzer

Brush your schnauzer daily. Use a detangler spray to loosen and work out any tangles or mats before they become too tight. Brush him with a bristle or pin brush daily to keep his hair smooth and shiny, and use a slicker brush to remove mats. Combs help remove the dead, loose hair in his undercoat and aid in styling and trimming.

Keep his fur trim. Use an electric clipper to trim your schnauzer's hair close to his body. Trim the hair on his body and head short, but keep the hair along his underside and on his legs longer. Point the clippers downward to evenly blend the hair as you cut. Keep his eyebrows and beard longer, and use scissors occasionally to trim the ends straight and keep them looking neat.

Bathe him when necessary. Use a gentle dog shampoo to wash your schnauzer when he feels particularly dirty. Wet him down thoroughly with water set to a warm, comfortable temperature, being careful to avoid his eyes or ears. Wash him by gently massaging the shampoo into his coat and rinse thoroughly. Gently massage the shampoo into his beard to thoroughly clean the hair. Squeeze the excess water from his coat and use a towel to dry him as much as possible. Use a hair dryer set to low heat to dry him completely.

Check his ears daily. Schnauzers grow hair in their ears that need to be plucked regularly to prevent infections. Use ear cleaner to remove any built-up wax or dirt in the ear, and wipe it out thoroughly with a cotton ball. Inspect the ear for signs of redness or swelling, which may indicate irritation or infection. Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to carefully remove any visible hair inside the ear. Do not delve too deeply into the ear, as one quick jerk from the dog may cause a painful ear injury.

Check his eyes daily. Use a soft, warm washcloth or damp cotton ball to wipe around your schnauzer's eyes and remove any debris that may have built up. Check for signs of redness or any indication that his eyes are irritated. See your veterinarian if you notice any cloudiness, foreign objects or other injuries. Keep his eyebrows trimmed to prevent them from obscuring his vision.

Brush his teeth daily. Use a dog-formulated toothpaste to brush your schnauzer's teeth and promote healthy gums. Use your finger as a toothbrush if he's not keen on being brushed, and gently massage the toothpaste onto his gums and teeth. Move to a toothbrush when he accepts your finger-brushing without complaint.

Check his feet every week. Inspect your schnauzer's pads for signs of cracking or injury, and use scissors to carefully trim the hair around his paws and between the pads to prevent matting. Trim his nails at least once a month, but be sure to get training from your veterinarian or a professional groomer first, as clipping his nails too short will result in bleeding and pain.