Best way to groom lionhead with thick, semi-coarse fur?

[Rio and Buns]

I got Leonora – my first lionhead – about 3 weeks ago and she’s just now starting to shed. I’ve seen many lionheads just have wispy long tufts of hair on their heads and sometimes face, but Nora has very thick and long fur on her neck/chest and all underneath her to her bum. I’ve seen this referred to as a “skirt” before? It’s not too coarse, but it’s also not soft like short-haired buns. The fur on her back is shorter but also not very soft.

I’ve tried a variety of brushes and combs on her – a regular human comb, the furminator, that glove that you can wear and pet them with, a brush with soft bristles, a brush with the little round tips – they either didn’t pick up much fur at all, or they tugged on her fur too much and made her uncomfortable. Does anyone have any recommendations? Anyone with an angora or a lionhead similar to this that faced the same struggles? I’d rather avoid clipping it if I can because it’s very pretty and she wouldn’t be the same without it.

Pictures for reference and added cuteness.  The first pic is blurry but you can really see the trail of fluff there. 

[caillou]

I have a lionhead with the same skirt! The best brush that I use on Alfie is a flea comb I found on Dr Fosters and Smith for $3, it picks up a lot of fur and doesn’t cause too much discomfort. He hates being brushed, but it’s a necessary evil, especially when he’s shedding! I use this one https://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=17233, I also have a slicker comb but it doesn’t work too well.

[Rio and Buns]

Yeah I’ve learned that Nora hates being brushed too, she got mad at me with every method I used – some more than others though, especially the furminator. I’ll order a couple different flea combs to try, thank you!!

Also, Alfie is suuuuper cute! I love his colors.

[OverthinkingBun]

So adorable! That’s mainly what I wanted to say. I don’t have a long haired bunny, but I found that it took a lot of patience to get mine to accept brushing, regardless of the brush. Have you tried a “brushing sandwich,” where you pet her a little, do a few strokes with a brush, and then pet her more as a reward?

[Rio and Buns]

Thanks OverthinkingBun, I agree! I’ve really never seen a bunny look quite like her before. But oh my gosh, I love the colors on your baby too! SO pretty. I’m a sucker for the harlequins… and every other bun in every other color, I guess.  

I did try The Sandwich and still got a “nuh-uh, I don’t think so sweety” response from her. I find that putting them in the bathtub works, they hate the slippery surface so they plant their feet in place rather than try to run. I’m just not able to pick Nora up at the moment because her spay incision has to heal.

[caillou]

I do looove the colors on Leonora, they’re so unique! Just wanted to add a few more things… If Leonara is anything like Alfie and adores food, meal time is usually when I get most of my brushing done. I’ll toss a handful of pellets in front of him and he ignores everything I do to him during that time. Also when brushing it’s best to kind of use a scooping motion, I don’t know if that makes sense but on the skirt it’s like a down and then out motion with the brush.

[OverthinkingBun]

Posted By Rio and Buns on 2/18/2018 1:40 AM

Thanks OverthinkingBun, I agree! I’ve really never seen a bunny look quite like her before. But oh my gosh, I love the colors on your baby too! SO pretty. I’m a sucker for the harlequins… and every other bun in every other color, I guess.  

I did try The Sandwich and still got a “nuh-uh, I don’t think so sweety” response from her. I find that putting them in the bathtub works, they hate the slippery surface so they plant their feet in place rather than try to run. I’m just not able to pick Nora up at the moment because her spay incision has to heal.

Aw, thanks.  I didn’t know I was a sucker for harlequins until I met Polly Oliver, but I suppose I am now  I hope your girl get healed up soon.  

[Heaven]

I use a (very sticky) lint roller all over my lion lop and it works like a CHARM!

[Author]

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