A tale of three combs

From Susan:

So here is a picture of the three combs that I have been using over the past little while.

The one on top came from one of the local chain pet stores, although I have no idea which one, and all it says on it is “Made in China”.  It is by far the best of the three, and probably cost all of $12.00 or so.

The one in the middle comes from Chris Christensen.  (#011 Buttercomb 6″ NTS STAGGERED TOOTH BUTTERCOMB) It cost an embarrassing amount of money, weighs a ton, and I have no idea yet whether it’s going to be worth it. http://www.chrissystems.com/combs.htm

The bottom one came from PetEdge.  It is advertised as having rotating pins, and that seems to be true.  But after using it maybe twice already one of the pins at the coarse end has gone all wall-eyed on me.  Basic junk.

http://www.petedge.com/product/Grooming/Grooming-Tools/Combs/Master-Grooming-Tools-Rotating-Pin-Combs/pc/190/c/214/sc/479/55304.uts

Susan

I’d pitch two of the combs, possibly all three. My experience with rotating pins is dismal. The concept seems more a marketing strategy than good design. When I tried one years ago, the comb didn’t work any differently than my greyhound comb and – like Susan wrote – the pins bent almost immediately. The top comb appears to be a medium/fine combo. The pins are closer together on the right side of the comb. I prefer coarse/medium (which is demonstrated by the bottom comb).  I wouldn’t like the black ‘handle’ as my hand is comfortable using a traditional style greyhound comb.

From Cherrybrook:  You can pay more but you can’t buy better! This greyhound-style comb features rounded teeth, which glide through the coat, reducing drag and avoiding breaking the hair. Hand polished with a square back. 1-16 in. teeth are 1 1-8 in. long and spaced 12 per inch on one half and 7 per inch on the other.

The cost is mid-range – $16.99. I would spend the extra money rather than buying a similar comb for less. My combs last forever with…well, extreme use!

Looking at the product info on the staggered tooth comb, it’s purpose appears to be detangling. Susan I’m betting you’ll accomplish the same thing with the Mars Coat King, (8-blade coarse!!) followed by a quick slicker brush through, topped with a greyhound comb through. Let us know!

Focus on nutrition from Dogwise

From Dogwise: It’s very interesting to watch how trends in both human and pet nutrition seem to run in tandem. All of a sudden, obesity in people seems to be the hot topic, with several recent documentaries having been broadcast and books written on the subject. The experts all seem to agree – it has to do with the kinds of food we eat in modern America, combined with a sedentary lifestyle. And while obese pets are less common than obese people, there are similar concerns about what we feed our dogs. Which brings us to Feed Your Pet Right – The Authoritative Guide to Feeding Your Dog and Cat by Marion Nestle (author of What to Eat – for humans) and Malden Nesheim. Based on the success of the book on people food, the authors have turned their attention to an in-depth analysis of pet foods, both the pros and cons. Marion is a professor of Nutrition and Food Studies at NYU and brings a great deal of expertise to this effort. The book will really help you decide what the best course of action is for feeding your dog or cat. Sticking with this theme, here are some other suggestions to improve what you feed your dog: Performance Dog Nutrition – Optimize Performance With Nutrition by Jocelynn Jacobs. Our Book of the Week from now until May 19th, 20% off the regular price, only $19.96. What to feed if your dog is engaged in any canine sport that requires him to be in tip-top shape. Chow Hounds – Why Our Dogs are Getting Fatter, A Vet’s Plan to Save their Lives by Ernie Ward, DVM. It’s not only people who are getting fatter – how to feed (and treat) your dog to keep the fat off. The Canine Ancestral Diet – Healthier Dog Food the ABC Way by Steve Brown. A recent Dogwise publishing effort, noted nutritional expert Steve Brown explores how feeding your dog a diet that mimics what canids ate in the wild (think Caveman diet for people) can enhance your dog’s health.

There Are No Ordinary Dogs..

As I head out this morning for a back roads trip to Seward, meeting up with Julie and Vickie, I leave you with an absolutely fabulous article by Susan Garrett and our “ordinary” dogs .

From our 2008 trip to Nebraska’s Fourth of July City…