Course 05 · Drying · Lesson 6 of 12
How do you dry a curly coat without encouraging frizz and mats?
Dry a curly coat without frizz and mats by towel patting gently, using low, gentle airflow, avoiding vigorous brushing while wet, and combing only when the coat is dry or as a groomer directs.
Drying a curly coat without encouraging frizz and mats means towel patting gently, using low, gentle airflow, avoiding vigorous brushing while the coat is wet, and combing only when the coat is dry or as a groomer has directed for that coat. Curly hair, when wet, is prone to frizz if it is rubbed, brushed or blasted with strong airflow, and it is prone to matting if it dries tangled. The curl pattern itself can be disrupted by rough handling, leaving a coat that looks frizzy and feels tangled, even though it was clean when wet. Gentle handling, patience and a comb check when dry preserve both the curl pattern and the coat condition, and they prevent the mats that form when a curly coat dries in a tangled heap.
Why do curly coats frizz and mat when drying?
Curly coats frizz and mat because individual hairs bend and catch on each other, and wet handling pushes them in different directions, breaking the curl pattern and locking hairs together. Rubbing with a towel, brushing wet curls, and using strong, turbulent airflow all separate curls into individual hairs that then tangle as they dry. Damp curls that are left to dry without separation can felt together, especially in dense areas and at friction points. The coat should therefore be handled as little as possible while wet, with water removed by patting and gentle airflow, and with separation done by combing when the coat is dry, when hairs are less likely to stretch and break. Understanding that frizz is a handling effect, not a coat fault, helps the owner dry more gently.
How should towel drying be done for a curly coat?
Towel dry a curly coat by laying a towel over the coat and pressing gently, patting and squeezing in sections, in the direction the curls lie, without rubbing or wringing. Use a smooth, absorbent towel, and change it when saturated, since a wet towel cannot absorb more water. Squeeze sections gently, starting at the body and moving to legs, chest and tail, and leave the head for a smaller towel and gentle patting. Do not rub the coat dry, do not twist sections, and do not use a rough towel that catches curls. The aim is to remove bulk water while keeping curls intact, so airflow drying has less work to do and the coat dries in its natural pattern rather than in a frizzed mass.
How should airflow be used for a curly coat?
Use airflow at a low, gentle setting, kept moving, at a distance, directed in the direction the curls lie, and stop frequently to check the coat and the dog. A high-velocity dryer, if used, should be used at a lower force and with a diffuser or a wider nozzle if available, and only if the dog has been introduced to it gradually. A household dryer on a cool, low setting can work for a curly coat, provided it is kept moving and the skin is checked for heat. Airflow should separate the coat gently, not blast it apart, and the handler should avoid brushing during airflow drying, since brushing wet curls creates frizz. If the coat starts to frizz, reduce airflow force, increase distance, and return to towel patting. Drying a curly coat takes patience, and rushing it with strong airflow usually makes the result worse.
How do you finish a curly coat after drying?
Finish a curly coat by combing it when it is dry, section by section, with a wide-toothed comb followed by a narrow comb, checking that each section is free of tangles. If the coat was brushed before bathing, and dried gently, the comb should pass through without snagging, and the curls should look defined rather than frizzy. If tangles are found, work them gently with fingers and a wide comb, holding the hair above the tangle, and leave tight tangles for a groomer. Note how the coat responds to the drying method used, and adjust next time, since different curly coats respond differently to airflow, towel texture and combing timing. A curly coat that is dried gently and combed when dry will usually look neat, feel soft and stay tangle free until the next brushing.
What does a workable checklist look like?
- Brush and comb before bath, towel pat gently, no rubbing. 2. Low, gentle airflow, moving, distance, curl direction. 3. No vigorous brushing while wet, avoid strong turbulent air. 4. Comb when dry, section by section, wide then narrow teeth. 5. Leave tight tangles for a groomer, note what worked.
When should you stop and get help?
Stop and get groomer help if a curly coat mats despite gentle drying, if the coat needs clipping or shaping, or if the dog panics at airflow. Get vet help for pain, skin problems, ear problems or distress. Do not brush a wet curly coat vigorously, do not use high heat, and do not attempt to cut out mats. A curly coat that frizzes and mats repeatedly needs professional advice on drying and grooming in person, with the coat seen wet and dry, rather than more forceful home drying.
Gentle patting, low airflow and combing when dry will keep a curly coat defined, soft and tangle free, and the patience that drying asks for is repaid in a coat that needs far less corrective work afterwards.
Further reading
- American Kennel Club, grooming guidance
- PDSA, dog care guidance
- RSPCA, pet care guidance