What do I actually need at home?

Look at the hair length, texture and how thick it feels underneath. A breed suggestion is only a shortcut. If the picture does not look like your dog, choose a different coat.

You do not need an exact breed. Choose Indie / mixed, then pick the coat that looks closest to your dog. We do not assume every Indie is an Indian Pariah / INDog.

Shedding is normal loose hair coming out of the coat. Hair on your hands, bedding or floor can be normal. A sudden bald patch, sore skin or unusual hair loss is different.

You cannot stop normal shedding completely. Regular brushing can remove more loose hair before it ends up around the house.

A small knot may comb out gently. A mat is a tight knot stuck close to the skin. If it is tight, widespread or painful, stop and use a groomer.

No. Skin can get pulled up inside a mat, so household scissors can cut the dog. Use a groomer for tight mats. If the skin underneath is red, sore or painful, vet first.

After swimming, dry the coat well and check the ears. A swim does not automatically mean your dog needs shampoo.

Longer coats usually knot more easily and need more brushing. A shorter pet trim can reduce day-to-day brushing for coats that keep growing.

Stop if grooming is painful, the skin is raw or wounded, there is sudden hair loss, the ear is painful or leaking, the mouth hurts, or your dog is panicking and may bite. The result will tell you whether a groomer or vet is the safer next step.