Dog Grooming Schedule: How Often by Coat Type

Grooming isn't just cosmetic. It's also how you catch skin changes, lumps, parasites, ear infections, and coat problems before they become something more significant. A dog who's brushed regularly is a dog whose skin you see regularly - and that matters. According to the PDSA PAW Mini Report 2025, skin and coat issues are among the most common welfare concerns raised at UK vet visits - making regular at-home coat checks one of the most practical forms of preventive care an owner can provide.

What the schedule looks like depends entirely on the coat type. A Border Collie and a Chihuahua both have dogs inside them, but the maintenance is almost incomparable.

Short, smooth coats

Breeds: Whippet, Boxer, Dalmatian, Weimaraner, short-coated Chihuahua, Beagle, Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Brushing: Once a week with a rubber grooming mitt or soft bristle brush. Short-coated dogs shed - often more than owners expect - and a weekly wipe-down removes dead hair before it ends up on furniture.

Professional grooming: Rarely needed. An occasional bath, nail trim, and ear clean is all most short-coated dogs require.

Watch for: Skin changes are highly visible in smooth-coated breeds. Check regularly for any redness, lumps, or skin thickening. Their thin coat also means they're more exposed - check for tick attachments after walks in long grass.

Medium double coats

Breeds: Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Border Collie, Husky, Corgi

Brushing: Two to three times a week, daily during seasonal moults. Double-coated breeds shed their undercoat twice a year in significant quantities. A slicker brush and an undercoat rake are the most useful tools.

Professional grooming: Optional, but many owners use a groomer for a de-shedding treatment during moults. Never shave a double-coated dog - the double coat insulates against both heat and cold, and shaving can permanently damage the coat's structure.

Watch for: Matting forms in the feathering (behind ears, inside legs, under the tail) even in shorter double coats. Check and work through any tangles before they become mats. Hot spots - rapidly developing moist skin lesions - can hide under dense coats and go unnoticed.

Wavy and curly coats

Breeds: Poodle, Bichon Frise, Cockapoo, Cavapoo, Goldendoodle, Lagotto Romagnolo

Brushing: Three to four times a week at minimum, daily if the coat is left long. Wavy and curly coats don't shed much but mat very easily - particularly behind the ears, in the armpits, and between the back legs. A matt that's caught early takes a minute to work through. One that's been ignored for two weeks may need to be clipped out.

Professional grooming: Every four to eight weeks, depending on how long you keep the coat. This is non-negotiable in practice, not a nice-to-have. Skipping appointments doubles the brushing work at home.

Watch for: Mats cause discomfort and can trap moisture against the skin, leading to infection. Check under the coat at the skin level when you brush - redness, moisture, or a bad smell indicates a problem.

Long, silky coats

Breeds: Yorkshire Terrier, Maltese, Shih Tzu, Afghan Hound, Lhasa Apso, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Brushing: Daily. Long silky coats tangle quickly and mat at the roots if not maintained. A pin brush and comb are the primary tools. Work section by section from the ends upward.

Professional grooming: Every six to eight weeks, unless you're maintaining the coat at full length, in which case more frequently.

Watch for: Eye discharge and tear staining are common in many long-coated breeds with prominent eyes. The hair around the eyes should be kept trimmed and kept clear of the eye surface. Ear problems are common in drop-eared long-coated breeds - check weekly.

Wire and rough coats

Breeds: Border Terrier, Airedale Terrier, Wire Fox Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, Schnauzer (wire), Cairn Terrier

Brushing: Weekly brushing to remove dead coat and debris.

Professional grooming: Hand stripping two to three times a year maintains the proper harsh coat texture. Clipping is easier but softens and discolours the coat over time. If show coat quality matters, use a groomer experienced with terriers.

Watch for: Skin problems can hide under wire coats. Check skin condition when grooming.

Setting reminders

The biggest grooming failure mode is inconsistency. A dog whose coat is brushed every few months doesn't have a grooming schedule - they have a crisis management approach.

Setting reminders - weekly for brushing, monthly for nail checks, every four to eight weeks for professional appointments - is the practical solution. Pup Notes lets you set reminders for recurring treatments including grooming appointments, which helps avoid the mat-discovering surprise that follows a six-week gap.

Nail care

Whatever coat type your dog has, nails need checking monthly and trimming when they're long enough to click on hard floors. Overgrown nails cause the toes to splay, which affects posture and can cause joint pain over time. Most groomers will trim nails as part of any appointment; your vet can do it if your dog is difficult to handle. The Kennel Club's Petlog database - the UK's largest pet microchipping register - also recommends using grooming and handling sessions as an opportunity to check for any changes in lumps, skin condition, or physical comfort that might otherwise go unnoticed between vet visits.

Ear care

For recurring ear problems, see our ear infections condition guide. For skin issues found during grooming, see skin allergies and hot spots.

Check ears monthly regardless of coat type. A small amount of light brown wax is normal. Dark discharge, a smell, or a dog scratching at their ears indicates infection and warrants a vet visit. Breeds with floppy ears (Cocker Spaniels, Basset Hounds, Poodles) are at higher risk than prick-eared breeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my dog needs professional grooming? If you can't keep up with home brushing, if the coat is getting mats you can't work through, if the coat needs cutting or styling, or if your dog needs bathing more than you want to deal with at home. Most dogs with non-smooth coats genuinely need professional grooming - it's a regular cost, not a luxury.

Can I bathe my dog at home? Yes, though too-frequent bathing strips the coat of natural oils. Once a month is reasonable for most dogs; more often for muddy dogs in winter. Use a dog-specific shampoo - human products have the wrong pH for dog skin.

My dog hates being groomed. What should I do? Start shorter sessions, with lots of positive reinforcement. Many dogs who hate grooming have had experiences that were uncomfortable or restrained. A groomer experienced with anxious dogs is worth finding. For severe cases, a consultation with a clinical animal behaviourist can help.

Does coat length affect how much a dog sheds? Not necessarily. Labradors with their short double coats often shed more than Poodles with their long curly coats, because Poodles barely shed at all - the dead hair stays in the coat and mats rather than falling on your furniture.