Match Grooming Frequency to Your Dog's Coat Type
Coat type sets the schedule, not the breed on the paperwork. Smooth-coated dogs such as Labradors and Staffies need a thorough brush once or twice a week to lift dead hair and spread skin oils, with a full groom every four to six weeks.
Double-coated breeds like Huskies and German Shepherds need brushing two or three times weekly, rising to daily during the spring and autumn moult. Curly and wavy coats such as Poodles and doodles are the most demanding: brush and comb every day or two, and clip every four to eight weeks to prevent tight matting.
Wire coats sit in between and benefit from weekly brushing plus periodic hand-stripping or clipping. If you are unsure where your dog fits, our guide on the right brush for each coat breaks it down further.
The curlier or thicker the coat, the more often it needs attention. When in doubt, brush more, not less.
Work Out How Often to Bathe Between Grooms
Bathing is a separate rhythm from brushing. Most healthy dogs only need a bath every four to eight weeks; washing too often strips protective oils and can leave skin dry and itchy.
Active dogs who roll in mud or swim will need more frequent rinses, while dogs with skin conditions may follow a vet-prescribed schedule. Always brush thoroughly before a bath, as water tightens existing tangles into solid mats. For a full walkthrough, see how often to bathe your dog.
Brush first, bathe second. Bathing a matted coat sets the knots and makes them far harder to remove.
Set a Routine for Nails, Ears and Teeth
Grooming is more than coat care. Check nails every two to three weeks; if you hear clicking on hard floors, they are already too long. Grinding or clipping little and often keeps the quick receding so you can maintain a short, comfortable length.
Clean ears monthly, or fortnightly for floppy-eared and heavily coated breeds that trap moisture. Aim to brush teeth several times a week, ideally daily. Folding these small jobs into a regular slot means nothing gets neglected between full grooms.
Nails that tap the floor when your dog walks are overdue for a trim and can alter their gait over time.
Adjust Your Schedule Through the Seasons
Grooming needs rise and fall across the year. In spring and autumn, double-coated dogs blow their undercoat and need daily deshedding for a few weeks to clear the loose fluff before it mats.
In winter, longer coats trap wet and grit, so brush more often and check paws for packed snow, salt and grit. In summer, keep an eye out for grass seeds and consider a tidy-up rather than a drastic shave, which can leave sensitive skin exposed to sunburn.
- Spring/autumn: step up deshedding for the moult
- Winter: more frequent brushing and paw checks
- Summer: watch for seeds, trim rather than shave
During a heavy moult, ten minutes of daily deshedding prevents the tangles that a weekly session cannot keep up with.
Frequently Asked
Most dogs benefit from brushing at least once or twice a week, while double and curly coats need it every day or two. Regular brushing removes dead hair, spreads natural oils and stops small tangles becoming mats.
You can over-bathe a dog, which strips protective oils and dries the skin, but you can rarely brush too much. Keep baths to roughly every four to eight weeks unless a vet advises otherwise, and brush as often as the coat needs.
Short-haired dogs still shed and benefit from a weekly brush to lift dead hair and check the skin. A full groom with a bath and nail trim every four to six weeks is usually plenty.
Yes. Puppies need short, frequent sessions to build tolerance, while older dogs may need gentler, more regular grooming as coats change and mobility drops. Watch for new lumps or sensitivity as you go.