If you have ever looked at your dog and wondered whether they are due for a groom, the honest answer is that it depends mostly on their coat. A Boxer and a Poodle have very different needs, and a routine that suits one would leave the other matted or bathed far too often.
As a rough guide, smooth and short coats usually need brushing about once a week, while long, silky and curly coats need daily attention. Dogs whose hair keeps growing need regular haircuts as well, and double-coated breeds need extra help when they moult. Below we go through each coat type, then bathing, home care between grooms and the signs that mean a vet visit.
What decides how often my dog needs grooming?
Coat type is the biggest factor, but it is not the only one. The American Kennel Club (AKC) says how often a dog needs a professional groomer depends on how well the coat is kept up at home, the characteristics of the coat and the climate you live in.
Lifestyle matters too: VCA Animal Hospitals notes that dogs who are often in mud or water, or who pick up strong smells, may need more baths.
How often should I brush my dog’s coat?
Smooth and short coats
Dogs with smooth, short coats, such as Boxers, Chihuahuas and Basset Hounds, usually only need brushing once a week, according to the ASPCA. The PDSA gives the same advice for short-haired breeds such as Staffies, and adds that they don’t usually need regular haircuts, although some may need their undercoat stripped.
A weekly brush still matters. It removes loose hair and dead skin, spreads natural oils along the hair and gives you a regular chance to look at the skin.
Double coats
Double-coated dogs, such as Huskies, Malamutes, shepherds and many retrievers, have a soft, dense undercoat under a coarser outer coat of guard hairs. The AKC suggests brushing with a slicker brush and following up with a comb at least once a week.
VCA Animal Hospitals says these dogs often go through two heavy sheds a year, in late spring and late autumn, when the undercoat comes out in clumps. Climate plays a part: a groomer quoted by the AKC notes that dogs in colder places may shed their undercoat only in spring and autumn, while those in warmer places could shed four times a year or all the time.
During peak shedding, the AKC says heavy shedders may need brushing several times a week or even daily, and a coat rake or de-shedding tool helps lift out loose undercoat. It also warns that in a humid climate, an undercoat that isn’t brushed weekly can become packed and hold moisture against the skin. Shaving is rarely the answer for these coats; our post on whether you should shave a double-coated dog explains why.
Curly and continuously growing coats
Poodles, and breeds such as Yorkshire Terriers, Lhasa Apsos and Shih Tzus, have hair that keeps growing. VCA Animal Hospitals says breeds whose hair grows continuously need regular bathing and haircuts, and that dogs with long, silky or curly coats need daily brushing to keep the hair from tangling or matting. Poodle crosses such as Labradoodles and Cockapoos are prone to knots, especially when wet, and the PDSA says brushing them a few times a week should keep on top of things.
For Poodles, the AKC suggests a bath and a trim roughly every four to eight weeks, depending on how often the coat is brushed and the length you like. When you brush, the AKC advises working down to the skin without scratching it, to help prevent matting.
Wire coats
Wire coats are the coarse, bristly coats seen on many terriers, Schnauzers and wire-haired Dachshunds. The AKC recommends brushing a wire coat once a week and then combing it through, using a fine-toothed comb to reach down to the skin.
Hand stripping plucks out dead hair so new wiry hair can grow, and the AKC says it is generally reserved for dogs shown in the ring. If you would like your dog hand stripped, the AKC suggests checking whether a groomer has experience with it before you book. The AKC says most owners keep wire-coated breeds in clipper trims, which are easily maintained, although clipping can affect the colour, sheen and texture of a wire coat and may eventually soften it.
Long and silky coats
Long, silky coats, like a Yorkshire Terrier’s, need daily attention, says the ASPCA. The PDSA gives the same advice for long-haired breeds such as Bearded Collies and Lhasa Apsos, and VCA suggests paying particular attention to the ears, armpits and backs of the legs.
According to the PDSA, some long-haired breeds also need their coats trimmed or their undercoats stripped around four to six times a year. The ASPCA also recommends keeping the hair around the eyes trimmed so your dog can see clearly, and trimming the hair between the toes to stop it matting.
How often does my dog need a bath?
VCA Animal Hospitals says most dogs only need a bath occasionally, when the coat is dirty or starts to smell, and that non-shedding breeds with no health issues typically need one about every six to eight weeks. The ASPCA recommends bathing at least once every three months, with some dogs needing more frequent baths.
The AKC warns that bathing too often can deplete your dog’s natural oils and dry out the skin and coat. A few other points help:
- Use a shampoo made for dogs. The PDSA says human shampoos can cause skin irritation.
- Brush out tangles and burrs before the bath, because VCA notes tangles can become impossible to remove after a bath.
- If your dog has a skin condition, check with your vet first, as they may recommend a specific bathing routine.
What should I do at home between grooms?
Regular checks at home can reveal lumps, bumps, parasites and sore areas early, as VCA notes. The PDSA’s advice is to take it slow and make it positive: stop if your dog is worried or stressed, and reward them with treats and praise during and afterwards.
- Brush to your dog’s coat type, using a brush or comb that suits the coat.
- Check the coat every day for tangles or clumps under the armpits, in the groin and behind the ears, as VCA recommends.
- Look for fleas, flea dirt and ticks while you brush, especially after your dog has been outside. Our post on ticks, fleas and biliary in South Africa covers prevention.
- Check the nails. The ASPCA says they should be trimmed when they just about touch the ground as your dog walks, or if you hear them clicking on the floor. Our nail clipping guide has more.
- Brush the teeth. The PDSA says daily brushing is ideal, with a dog toothbrush and dog toothpaste, never human toothpaste, which can contain xylitol, a sweetener that is toxic to dogs.
- Look in the ears. If you see wax or hair build-up, or the ears smell or seem itchy, the PDSA advises calling your vet before trying to clean them.
- Leave mats alone. The PDSA advises against tackling mats at home, and VCA warns never to use scissors on them and to take great care not to cut the skin.
When should I see a vet instead of booking a groom?
Grooming keeps the coat and skin in good condition, but it is never a substitute for veterinary care. A groomer may notice something while working on your dog, but groomers do not diagnose. Book a vet visit if you notice:
- Redness, bumps, scabs, sores or bald spots on the skin, or constant scratching or licking
- Shedding with bald patches, inflamed skin or a sudden increase in hair loss
- Discharge, a bad smell, redness or swelling in the ears, or head shaking or tilting
- Tearing, discharge, cloudiness or redness in the eyes
- A mat that has irritated the skin underneath it
- A smell that keeps coming back after a bath
- A lump or bump you haven’t noticed before
The ASPCA’s advice is to book an exam with your vet as soon as you notice anything abnormal in your dog’s skin or hair.
How Mutt Cuts can help
At Mutt Cuts Pet Parlour in Wierdapark, Centurion, we have groomed dogs of all breeds for more than 20 years, from smooth coats that need a wash and brush to curly coats that need regular cuts. If you are not sure what your dog’s coat needs, choose “Not sure, please advise” when you book and we can advise. Our grooming page explains what we offer, and if your dog sheds heavily, have a look at our page on heavy shedders. Nail clipping is included with a groom at no extra charge.