How Often Should You Groom Your Dog?
A Breed-by-Breed Schedule
BY HEUSOM
Jan 24, 2026
Key Takeaways
- Grooming frequency depends on your dog's coat type, not just breed
- Long and curly coats need the most maintenance—brushing every few days, grooming every 4-6 weeks
- Short-haired breeds are lower maintenance but still need regular brushing and nail trims
- Double-coated breeds need extra attention during shedding season
- Nails, ears, and teeth are part of grooming too—not just the coat
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Why Grooming Frequency Matters
Grooming isn't just about keeping your dog looking good. It's about keeping them comfortable and healthy.
Skip grooming for too long and you'll deal with mats, overgrown nails, skin irritation, and a dog who starts to hate the process because everything's gotten out of hand.
Stay on top of it and each session is quick, easy, and stress-free for both of you.
Coat Types:
The Quick Breakdown
Before we get into breeds, it helps to understand the basic coat types:
- Short/Smooth Coat – Thin, close to the body, sheds but doesn't mat (Beagles, Boxers, Bulldogs)
- Double Coat – Soft undercoat plus longer outer coat, sheds heavily in seasons (Huskies, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers)
- Long Coat – Flowing fur that tangles easily (Shih Tzus, Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers)
- Curly/Wavy Coat – Doesn't shed much but mats quickly (Poodles, Doodles, Bichon Frise)
- Wire/Rough Coat – Coarse texture, needs hand-stripping or clipping (Schnauzers, Terriers)
Your dog's coat type tells you more about grooming needs than the breed name alone.
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Short/Smooth Coat Breeds
Examples: Beagles, Boxers, Bulldogs, Pit Bulls, Dalmatians, Pugs
Brushing: Once a week
Bathing: Every 4-8 weeks or as needed
Professional grooming: Optional—mostly just for nail trims and baths
These are the easy-maintenance dogs. A weekly brush removes loose hair and keeps their coat shiny. They still shed, but it's manageable.
Don't skip nail trims though—short-haired breeds need them just as much as any other dog.
- Whitish/grey and dry – Means you're still in the safe zone. Keep going.
- Chalky white with a small dark center appearing – Getting close. Slow down.
- Dark, moist, or shiny center – That's the quick. Stop there.
The key is going gradually so you can see these changes and stop at the right point.
- Different breeds need different amounts of exercise—there's no one-size-fits-all answer.
- High energy breeds like border collies and huskies can need 2+ hours of activity per day.
- Lower energy breeds like bulldogs and basset hounds are happy with short walks and lots of naps.
- Age matters too—puppies and senior dogs have different needs than adults.
Double Coat Breeds
Examples: Huskies, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Labradors, Corgis, Australian Shepherds
Brushing: 2-3 times per week (daily during shedding season)
Bathing: Every 6-8 weeks
Professional grooming: Every 8-12 weeks, or more often during heavy shedding.
Double coats have a soft undercoat that sheds like crazy twice a year. During those "blowing coat" seasons, you'll want to brush daily to keep up.
Never shave a double-coated breed—the undercoat actually helps regulate their temperature in both hot and cold weather.
Long Coat Breeds
Examples: Shih Tzus, Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers, Havanese, Afghan Hounds
Brushing: Daily or every other day
Bathing: Every 2-4 weeksProfessional grooming: Every 4-6 weeks
Long coats tangle fast. If you skip brushing for a few days, you'll start finding mats—especially behind the ears, under the collar, and around the legs.
Many owners keep long-coated breeds in a shorter "puppy cut" to reduce daily maintenance.
- Hold your dog's paw steady and turn on the grinder
- Touch it to the nail tip for 2-3 seconds, then check
- Look at the cross-section—whitish and dry means you're still safe.
- Repeat: short bursts, check, short bursts, check
- When you see the chalky ring with a darker center forming, stop
No guessing. Just gradual progress and a visual cue that tells you when you're done.
Curly/Wavy Coat Breeds
Examples: Poodles, Goldendoodles, Labradoodles, Bichon Frise, Portuguese Water Dogs
Brushing: Every 2-3 days (some need daily)
Bathing: Every 3-4 weeksProfessional grooming: Every 4-6 weeks
Curly coats don't shed much, which is great—but that loose hair gets trapped and turns into mats fast. Regular brushing is non-negotiable.
These breeds usually need professional grooming to keep their coat trimmed and manageable. Budget for it.
Wire/Rough Coat Breeds
Examples: Schnauzers, Wire Fox Terriers, Airedales, Border Terriers, Scottish Terriers
Brushing: 2-3 times per weekBathing: Every 4-6 weeks
Professional grooming: Every 6-8 weeks (hand-stripping or clipping)
Wire coats have a coarse texture that needs regular brushing to prevent tangling. Many of these breeds require hand-stripping (pulling out dead hair) to maintain the coat's texture, though clipping is a lower-maintenance alternative.
Don't Forget the Rest
Grooming isn't just about fur. A complete routine includes:
- Nails – Trim every 2-3 weeks. If you hear clicking on the floor, they're too long. (Silent Groom Pro)
- Ears – Check weekly for dirt, redness, or odor. Clean as needed.
- Teeth – Brush a few times a week, or use dental chews.
- Eyes – Wipe away discharge, especially on flat-faced breeds.
These basics apply to every dog, regardless of coat type.
Quick Reference Chart
| Coat Type | Brushing | Bathing | Pro Grooming |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short/Smooth | Weekly | 4-8 weeks | Optional |
| Double Coat | 2-3x/week | 6-8 weeks | 8-12 weeks |
| Long Coat | Daily | 2-4 weeks | 4-6 weeks |
| Curly/Wavy | Every 2-3 days | 3-4 weeks | 4-6 weeks |
| Wire/Rough | 2-3x/week | 4-6 weeks | 6-8 weeks |
- Trim after exercise – A tired dog is usually a calmer dog
- Keep sessions short – A few nails at a time is fine
- Use treats – Positive associations make future sessions easier
- Stay relaxed – Dogs read your energy. If you're tense, they'll be tense
Not sure if your dog is getting enough? Watch for these:
Consider noise levels – If your dog is sound-sensitive, a quieter tool can help
Safety: Is One Safer Than the Other?
- Heat buildup – any grinder can get warm if you hold it on the nail too long. Work in short bursts (3-5 seconds), then pause.
- Fur catching – long fur around the paws can get caught in the spinning head. Trim it back or hold it aside.
- Pressure – you don't need to press hard. Let the grinder do the work.
These apply to both Dremels and quiet grinders. The tool isn't the safety issue—technique is.
So Which One Should You Get?
It depends on your dog.
A quiet grinder might be better if:
- Your dog is anxious, noise-sensitive, or has had bad nail experiences
- You want a calmer grooming session
- You'd rather have a peaceful trim than a fast one
A Dremel might be better if:
- Your dog is anxious, noise-sensitive, or has had bad nail experiences
- You want a calmer grooming session
- You'd rather have a peaceful trim than a fast one
Think About Hair Type
Hair texture plays a key role in determining what works best. Fine or thinning hair benefits from lightweight, non-greasy formulas that won’t weigh strands down, while thick, coarse, or curly hair may require richer, more hydrating treatments.
When unsure, options labeled for all hair types provide flexibility, offering benefits across different textures without causing heaviness or buildup.
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*Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as veterinary advice. Exercise needs vary by individual dog. Consult your vet before starting any new exercise routine, especially for puppies, senior dogs, or dogs with health conditions. For full terms, visit Heusom.com.