Regular grooming keeps your dog comfortable, prevents painful mats, and gives you a chance to spot lumps, skin problems or parasites early. How often your dog needs it depends mostly on their coat.
Short, smooth coats
Examples: Beagles, Boxers, Dachshunds (smooth), Labrador Retrievers, Pit Bulls
- Brushing: once a week with a rubber curry brush or bristle brush, to remove loose hair.
- Bathing: every one to three months, or when they're dirty.
- Groomer: rarely needed, though a professional bath and nail trim every few months is a nice extra.
Double coats
Examples: German Shepherds, Huskies, Golden Retrievers, Corgis, Pomeranians
- Brushing: two or three times a week, and daily during shedding season, with an undercoat rake or slicker brush.
- Bathing: every one to three months.
- Groomer: every two to three months for a deshedding treatment, more often during heavy shedding.
- Don't shave them. A double coat helps protect against both heat and cold, and may not grow back properly.
Curly and wavy coats
Examples: Poodles, Bichons Frisés, Doodles, Portuguese Water Dogs
- Brushing: several times a week, ideally daily, right down to the skin. Curly coats mat quickly.
- Bathing: every three to six weeks.
- Groomer: every four to eight weeks for a haircut. These coats keep growing, so professional grooming is essential.
Long, silky coats
Examples: Shih Tzus, Yorkshire Terriers, Maltese, Lhasa Apsos
- Brushing: daily, to stop tangles forming.
- Bathing: every three to four weeks.
- Groomer: every four to six weeks. Many owners keep their dog in a shorter "puppy cut" to make care easier.
Wiry coats
Examples: Schnauzers, many terriers, Wirehaired Dachshunds
- Brushing: once or twice a week.
- Groomer: every six to eight weeks. Show dogs are often hand-stripped; pets are usually clipped.
For every dog
- Nails: trim every three to four weeks, or when you hear them clicking on the floor.
- Ears: check weekly, and clean when dirty. Dogs with floppy ears are prone to infections.
- Teeth: brush several times a week with a dog toothpaste. Never use human toothpaste.
Signs it's time for a groomer
- Mats or tangles you can't brush out
- A strong smell soon after a bath
- Hair growing over their eyes
- Long nails, or nails that catch on carpet
- Scooting, which can mean their anal glands need emptying
Choosing a groomer
Visit first, ask how they handle nervous dogs, and check whether they use cage dryers (and if so, how they're monitored). If your dog finds salons stressful, a mobile groomer who comes to you may be a better fit.