Ask A Groomer: How Often Should I Groom My Dog?

After 12 years of grooming dogs, I have worked with every breed, dealt with every situation, and answered countless questions. The most common thing new owners ask me is how often they should groom their dogs. The answer depends on what type of coat your pooch has, how much they shed, and how much brushing and bathing you are willing to do at home.

Keeping in mind that all dogs, regardless of breed, should have their nails trimmed at least once a month, here are some general guidelines for how often to groom a dog based on coat type.

Grooming Dogs With Short Hair

Short-haired dogs only need occasional baths and minimal brushing. If they shed excessively, ask your groomer if they offer any low-shed services. It may be called carding, FURminating, or something else entirely, but most groomers will offer a thorough brushing that should reduce your dog’s shedding. Keep in mind that nothing will stop shedding entirely, not even shaving your dog.

While short-haired dogs will not get mats, it is still a good idea to brush them regularly at home. Brushing with a stiff-bristled brush stimulates natural oil production for a shiny, healthy coat. It also removed dead hair and skin cells and allows you to check your dog’s skin for changes or growths.

As for how often you should bathe an otherwise healthy short-haired dog, a good rule of thumb is no more than once a month or whenever they start to stink! Overbathing can dry out the skin and lead to brittle hair and shedding. Frequent brushing is much more important for healthy skin. When you do decide to bathe your dog at home, skip the human shampoo – it is far too stripping – and opt for a soap-free product with natural ingredients like oatmeal, aloe vera, and herbal proteins.

Not sure which shampoo to choose? Contact your veterinarian or groomer for a recommendation.

Popular Shorthair Breeds

American Staffordshire Terrier
Basenji
Boxer
Dachshund
Dalmatian
Great Dane
Greyhound
Miniature Pinscher
Rottweiler
Weimaraner

Grooming Dogs With Short Hair & Double Coats

Double-coated breeds have a soft undercoat and a longer top layer of coarse guard hairs. The long outer coat protects the dog from the sun and helps repel dirt, parasites, and moisture. The soft inner coat provides warmth in the winter and is drastically shed seasonally to keep the dog cool in the summer. These major shedding episodes are known as “coat blow” and typically occur once or twice a year depending on the climate.

Plan on grooming your double-coated dog at least four times a year to help pull out the dead undercoat. Invest in a wire brush or pin brush for your dog’s outer coat and a grooming rake or FURminator for the dense undercoat.

You may be tempted to shave your double-coated dog to prevent shedding or help keep them cool in the summer. Believe it or not, shaving actually puts these dogs at a higher risk for heatstroke! What remains of the undercoat after a seasonal coat blow helps to hold cool air close to the skin and the double layers protect against sunburn. Nature knows best so put down those clippers!

Popular Breeds With Short Hair & Double Coats

American English Coonhound
Beagle
Labrador Retriever
German Shepherd
Welsh Corgi
Pembroke Corgi

Grooming Dogs With Long Hair & Double Coats

The majority of double-coated dogs can also be classified as long-haired breeds. Like their short-coated cousins, they tend to shed seasonally and require the same brushing and maintenance as above.

However, these dogs also have long “feathers” of hair on their feet, legs, bellies, butts, and ears that require occasional trimming. This longer hair is prone to matting, especially around the butt and behind the ears.

If your dog develops mats, take them to a groomer to have them cut out. Don’t try to cut mats out yourself, as they are often very close to the skin and you may accidentally injure your dog. As above, resist the urge to shave your dog’s long, puffy coat!

Popular Breeds With Long Hair/Double Coat

Akita
Husky (Alaskan & Siberian)
Shiba Inu
Australian Shepherd
Shetland Sheepdog
Bernese Mountain Dog
Great Pyrenees
Newfoundland
Golden Retriever
Shih-Tzu
Lhasa Apso
Havanese
Pomeranian

Grooming Dogs With Silky Coats

Silky-coated dog breeds have a single coat of fine, smooth hair that grows continuously and must be trimmed periodically to maintain good hygiene and prevent matting. These dogs must be groomed professionally.

Most people opt for short “puppy” cuts which can last two to three months. Those who opt to keep their dogs’ hair long and show ring ready can expect to have them groomed at least every four to six weeks.

Silky dogs also need to be brushed regularly between grooms, especially those with longer hair. Since their coats are so fine they are more prone to matting. Bathing should be left to the pros at the time of grooming or on an as-needed basis only. Overbathing can dry out delicate skin and make silky hair brittle.

Popular Breeds With Silky-Coats

Cocker Spaniel
Silky Terrier
Yorkshire Terrier
Afghan Hound
Irish Setter
Maltese

Grooming Dogs With Wiry Coats

Dogs with wiry coats are rough and coarse to the touch, They have thick, bristly hair which helped protect them from thorns and branches in their early days as hunting companions. You may notice that many wiry dogs love to dig. This is a throwback to their days of digging rabbits and other burrowing animals out of their dens.

These breeds are less prone to matting and can often go two to three months between grooming appointments. But just because they are low maintenance does not mean they are no maintenance! Wiry dogs still need occasional bathing and brushing with a slicker brush to maintain a healthy coat and avoid mats.

Since wiry dogs have naturally brittle hair it is very important not to over-bathe them. Ask your vet or groomer for a shampoo recommendation that is gentle and soap-free so as not to dry out the coat.

While clipping is not recommended, wiry dogs have a unique grooming requirement. Since they do not shed, their thick coats must be periodically hand-stripped. This process involves pulling out old dead hairs with a grooming knife and a grooming stone. Since this is a very skilled process, it must be left up to a professional groomer.

Popular Dog Breeds With Wiry Coats

Miniature Schnauzer
Giant Schnauzer
Border Terrier
Wire-Haired Jack Russell
Irish Wolf Hound
Wire Fox Terrier
Wire-Haired Pointer
Wire-Haired Dachshund

Grooming Dogs With Curly & Wavy Coats

These breeds are the most likely to mat. Any hair longer than half an inch should be brushed at least twice a week, and hair longer than an inch should be brushed daily. Most groomers recommend keeping curly and wavy hair at a maximum length of two inches.

These dogs require professional grooming every four to six weeks to prevent severe matting. Very curly dogs like Poodles should be brushed at least three times a week, if not daily. As with other long-haired breeds, do not attempt to remove mats yourself.

Popular Dog Breeds With Curly Or Wavy Coats

Miniature Poodle
Standard Poodle
“Designer” Poodle Mixes (Labradoodles, Cockapoos, etc.)
Portuguese Water Dog
Bichon Frise
Bedlington Terrier
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Chesapeake Bay Retriever

Grooming Brachycephalic Dogs

Brachycephalic is a term used to describe dogs with short, broad skulls. Many of these breeds have short coats that require only periodic bathing and brushing. Others have long, continuously growing hair that requires frequent professional grooming.

What sets these dogs apart from all other breeds in terms of grooming is their facial features. Due to their skull shape, brachycephalic dogs often have facial folds that must be cleaned daily to prevent bacterial buildup, odor, irritation, and skin infections. Since many of these dogs are predisposed to skin and respiratory problems, it is best to leave their grooming to the professionals.

Make sure you choose a trustworthy groomer who understands the unique needs that come along with brachycephalic dogs. Sadly, many of these dogs have died during routine grooming at major chains like Petco and PetSmart. Your dog may do better with a mobile groomer who comes to your home for services. This reduces stress and drastically shortens the process which can make all the difference for these dogs.

Popular Brachycephalic Breeds

Pug
Bulldog (English)
French Bulldog
Boston Terrier
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Shih-Tzu
Lhasa Apso
Pekingese
Brussels Griffon
Affenpinscher

Keep in mind that the shorter the haircut your dog gets, the longer they can go between appointments and vice versa. Severe matting can cause many serious complications, so regular grooming is imperative.

Jennifer Nelson