How Often Should You Groom Your Dog?

How Often Should You Groom Your Dog?

The honest answer: it depends entirely on your dog's breed and coat type. But here are the real-world guidelines we use with our Central NJ clients.

By coat type:

**Double-coated breeds** (Huskies, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Labs, Corgis, Shelties):

• Brush 2–3x per week at home
• Professional bath and brush every 6–8 weeks
• De-shedding treatment 2–4 times per year, especially during spring and fall coat blows

**Long-coated breeds** (Shih Tzu, Maltese, Cocker Spaniel, Yorkshire Terrier):

• Brush daily to prevent matting
• Full groom every 4–6 weeks to prevent coat from growing unmanageable

**Curly/wavy coated breeds** (Poodles, Doodles, Bichon Frise, Portuguese Water Dog):

• Brush 3–4x per week — curly coats mat fast
• Full groom every 4–8 weeks — most Doodle owners do every 6 weeks

**Short-coated breeds** (Beagles, Bulldogs, Boxers, French Bulldogs):

• Brush weekly at home
• Bath every 6–8 weeks or when dirty

**Smooth-coated breeds** (Greyhounds, Weimaraners, Dalmatians):

• Wipe-down weekly
• Bath every 8–12 weeks

Why regular grooming matters beyond appearance:

Skipping grooming leads to matting, which is painful for dogs and expensive to fix. Regular grooming also means the groomer can spot skin issues, lumps, or ear infections early — before they become serious.

The one rule that always applies:

More frequent = easier and cheaper per visit. A dog that's groomed every 4 weeks is faster to groom than one that goes 3 months between appointments. Consistency pays off.