Best Dog Dryer for Home Grooming in 2018

From the Poodle to the Portuguese Water Dog, there are countless dog breeds that have significant grooming requirements. Keeping your dog groomed is not only a benefit to keeping your home dog hair free, but also to the health and well-being of your beloved pet.

Whether you have a short-haired dog or a long-haired dog, grooming should be an important part of taking care of your four-legged friend. If you find yourself regularly having to bathe your dog, then it can be invaluable to have a high-performance and reliable dog dryer on hand.

Take a look at our top 8 picks for the best dog dryers on the market, and a closer look at their key features. Not sure whether a dog dryer will be a worthwhile addition to your grooming kit? Don’t worry, we also have you covered with a handy buying guide, to provide some extra help with the purpose, use, and features to look out for!

Best Dog Dryer Buying Guide

Why Do I Need a Dog Dryer?

Dogs are not well-known for staying clean and tidy, with that muddy puddle or pile of dirty leaves often just proving too much of a temptation. Bathing your dog is a key part of the care required from any responsible dog owner, to keep your dog’s coat and skin healthy. Once you’ve bathed your dog, you need to make sure that they are dry; in part to avoid the smell of wet dog, and in part to make sure your dog’s coat is looked after, not matted, and in good condition.

A dog dryer is a handy device to have around; ensuring that your dog’s coat can be dried quickly, they aren’t exposed to the cold for too long, and you can get the perfect finish after bathing. As full towel-drying isn’t always practical, and normal hairdryers aren’t well-suited to dog hair, a dog dryer provides an effective method of quick-drying, no matter what breed of dog you have.

Different Designs and Types of Dog Dryers

There are multiple different types of dog dryer available to choose from, each with a varying design, and often, slightly different additional benefits. Primarily, you’ll find that most dog dryers take one of two forms, either a compacted version of the dryers you would find in a dog grooming center or a similar design to your hairdryer at home.

The stronger dryers are normally the compacted versions of professional dryers, offering the ease of lightweight and portability. These generally feature a drum, commonly made from steel, that encases the main motor. From the drum a hose is attached, similar to many models of vacuum cleaner. Multiple nozzles can be attached to the hose, depending on the kind of coat your dog has and the size of your dog.

How to Pick the Best Dog Dryer

Selecting the best dog dryer for your dog starts with the size of your dog and its coat. Smaller dogs with short coats are going to need very different drying strengths and nozzle variations to larger dogs with longer or more difficult coats.

For small dogs, you need to make sure that the dog dryer has a lower air speed setting, so you can dry the hair without blasting your dog with air that is far too intense. For larger dogs, and especially those with long hair, a stronger dryer is needed to reach all the hair. Larger dogs are also better able to handle higher strength dryers, and the extra force is needed to ensure a quick dry. Some dryers come with the ability to switch from a single motor to two motors, which is ideal if you have two dogs that are different sizes.

The included nozzles, and adaptability of additional nozzles, is also an important consideration. Not all nozzles are suited to every dog hair type or size of dog. If the dog dryer only comes with smaller nozzles, then it is likely going to be unsuitable for bigger dogs.

A major consideration is also the length of the wire and hose that come with the dog dryer. For dogs that can’t stay still, or larger dogs, a long hose can be incredibly beneficial. This is especially helpful when combined with a longer wire for more controllable usage.

dogs home dryers

How to Use a Dog Dryer on Your Wet Pooch

With the variation in dog dryer designs, there will be a slight variation in the method used to get an optimum dry. However, many of the most popular dog dryers can be used in a similar way. If you’re drying your dog with a dryer for the first time, or are searching for a better technique, try our three-step process for optimum drying:

  • Step One

The first step is to prepare your dog for drying. You should start by removing the excess water by rubbing your dog down with a towel – this will make the drying process much quicker. It’s also advised to place a towel under your dog as well, to stop any water from making the surface slippery, or damaging the surface. Some dogs may benefit from being leashed, so you can focus on drying without the worry of them running off.

  • Step Two

As you slowly introduce your dog to the dryer, it is best to start with the back legs and feet first. This will give your dog the time it needs to get used to the sound and sensation of the dryer. When you get to the body, you should be using slow and short motions with the dryer, keeping it close to the skin, before worrying about the outer hair.

  • Step Three

Drying your dog’s ears and head can be tricky, especially if your dog is new to the use of dryers. Its important to fold the dog’s ears forward, so the air can’t get in, and dry the back of the head carefully. This can be hard for you and your dog, and if your dog doesn’t enjoy the sensation, or struggles, then it is vital not to push it. You can either allow the head to dry natural, reduce the settings on the dryer, or try to dry from more of a distance.