Line brushing should begin at the skin and move toward the top coat

Line brushing should begin at the skin and move toward the top coat

• A. It should begin at the skin and move toward the top coat
• B. It should begin at the top coat and move toward the skin
• C. It should be done only on mature coats
• D. It should be avoided on dogs with mats

Answer: (A)

Line brushing from the skin up toward the top coat targets the hairs at their base first, which helps loosen and remove tangles from the undercoat and skin without pulling hard on the outer coat. Working from the root outward also guides the hairs to lie flat as they grow, smoothing the coat and reducing the chance of creating new mats. If you started at the top coat, you’d be pulling on surface fibers without addressing the knotted hairs at the base, which can increase tension and worsen mats or be uncomfortable for the dog. This technique isn’t limited to mature coats, and brushing isn’t avoided when a dog has mats—you work through them gradually from the skin outward with gentle detangling.

Line brushing from the skin up toward the top coat targets the hairs at their base first, which helps loosen and remove tangles from the undercoat and skin without pulling hard on the outer coat. Working from the root outward also guides the hairs to lie flat as they grow, smoothing the coat and reducing the chance of creating new mats. If you started at the top coat, you’d be pulling on surface fibers without addressing the knotted hairs at the base, which can increase tension and worsen mats or be uncomfortable for the dog. This technique isn’t limited to mature coats, and brushing isn’t avoided when a dog has mats—you work through them gradually from the skin outward with gentle detangling.