How to groom a Akbash Dog

Brushing and bathing a Akbash Dog

Normally

1-2 times weekly

During shedding

Daily

Shedding months

March, April, October

Per session

20-35

Bathing

Every 3 to 4 months, or only when intensely soiled. Frequent bathing strips the natural protective oils that give the coat its weatherproofing and self-cleaning dirt-repellent properties.

Step by step

1. 1
   De-shedding and Raking

   Part the coat in sections starting from the neck down to the tail, pulling the undercoat rake gently through the coat to dislodge dead downy hairs.

2. 2
   Slicker Smoothing and Debris Removal

   Work through the outer guard hairs with the slicker brush to remove dried mud, burrs, and fox-tails picked up during perimeter patrols.

3. 3
   Belly and Feathering Inspection

   Check the feathering behind the front legs, trousers, and under the tail for burrs, matting, or ticks hidden in the dense fur.

Tools for this coat

• Undercoat Rake

  Penetrates the dense outer guard hairs to pull out impacted dead undercoat during seasonal shedding.

• High-Velocity Pet Dryer

  Blasts dust, burrs, dried mud, and loose undercoat out of the coat without needing water baths.

• Large Slicker Brush

  Smooths outer coat, removes minor surface tangles from ear feathering, and clears daily debris.

• Heavy-Duty Guillotine / Plier Nail Clippers

  Crucial for trimming thick, dense claws that do not wear down naturally on soft pasture ground.

Never do this with a Akbash Dog

• Never shave an Akbash's double coat; shaving ruins the thermal barrier against both extreme heat and cold, permanently damages coat regrowth, and increases the risk of sunburn and heatstroke.

Ears, eyes, teeth and nails

Inspect the drop ears weekly for moisture, wax buildup, or ear mites; trim strong nails every 3-4 weeks to prevent splayed toes and tendon strain; inspect eyes regularly for signs of inward-turned eyelashes (entropion).

Through the seasons

Coat colours