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How Often to Groom Your Dog by Coat Type

Grooming frequency depends far more on coat type than breed size or popularity — a curly-coated dog and a smooth-coated dog have completely different maintenance needs, even if they're similar sizes.

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Every 8 weeks

By coat type

  • Short, smooth coats (e.g. Labradors, Beagles): every 8-12 weeks, often more about nail trims and baths than haircuts.
  • Medium-length coats (e.g. Golden Retrievers, Border Collies): every 6-8 weeks.
  • Long or double coats (e.g. Huskies, Shelties): every 4-6 weeks, with regular brushing between visits to manage the undercoat.
  • Curly or wool-type coats (e.g. Poodles, Doodles): every 4-6 weeks — these coats don't shed out on their own and mat easily without regular trims.

Why matting matters more than it looks

A mat isn't just cosmetic — it pulls tight on the skin as it grows, can trap moisture underneath and lead to skin infections, and can hide injuries, hot spots, or parasites entirely from view. Once a mat is bad enough, shaving it out is often the only humane option, which is exactly what a regular schedule prevents.

Between professional visits

Brushing 2-3 times a week (daily for long/curly coats) keeps loose fur and early tangles from building into full mats, and makes each professional visit faster and less stressful for the dog. Check paw pads, behind the ears, and under the collar area specifically — these spots mat first and get missed most often.

Frequently asked questions

Is brushing at home a substitute for professional grooming?

Not entirely — brushing manages loose fur and light tangles between visits, but professional grooming also includes nail trims, ear cleaning, and a proper undercoat blowout that most home setups can't fully replicate, especially for double-coated breeds.

Why do curly and wool-type coats need grooming so often?

Unlike straight fur that sheds out naturally, curly and wool coats trap loose hair inside the curl instead of releasing it, which is exactly how mats form. Without regular trims, the loose undercoat builds up and tangles into the topcoat, sometimes badly enough to require shaving out.

Should double-coated breeds be shaved in summer to keep them cool?

Generally not recommended — the double coat actually insulates against both heat and sun, and shaving it can disrupt regrowth and remove natural sun protection. A thorough deshedding/blowout to remove loose undercoat is the better approach for summer than a full shave-down.

What's the risk of letting mats go too long?

Severe matting can pull on the skin, trap moisture and cause skin infections, and hide injuries or parasites underneath. Once matting is bad enough, the only humane fix is often shaving it out completely rather than brushing it through, which is avoidable with a regular schedule.

Does grooming frequency change with the seasons?

Yes, for many breeds — shedding-heavy breeds often need more frequent brushing (though not necessarily more professional visits) during seasonal coat blows in spring and fall, when they shed their undercoat most heavily.

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