How Often Should You Groom Your Dog? A Guide by Coat Type

There's no single right answer to "how often should my dog be groomed?" The biggest factor isn't size or age. It's the coat. A doodle and a lab can weigh the same and need completely different schedules. Below is the rhythm our groomers recommend for each coat type, and the signs that it's time to book sooner.

Quick answer: typical grooming schedules

• Curly and wool coats (doodles, poodles, bichons): a full groom every 4–6 weeks.
• Long, silky coats (shih tzus, Yorkies, Maltese, Havanese): a full groom every 4–6 weeks, with brushing at home several times a week.
• Double coats (huskies, golden retrievers, German shepherds, Aussies): a bath and de-shed every 6–8 weeks, more often during spring and fall shedding.
• Short, smooth coats (labs, beagles, boxers, pit bulls): a bath every 8–12 weeks, or when they get dirty.
• Wire coats (schnauzers, terriers): a full groom every 6–8 weeks to keep the shape.

These are starting points. A dog who swims, rolls in everything or lives with allergies may need more frequent baths. A senior dog may do better with shorter, more frequent appointments than long ones.

Curly and wool coats: doodles, poodles and bichons

Curly coats don't shed much, which is why so many families love them. The trade-off is that loose hair stays trapped in the coat instead of falling out. Left alone, it twists into tight knots close to the skin. That's why these breeds need a haircut on a steady schedule, not just a bath.

Every 4–6 weeks keeps the coat short enough to brush out easily and prevents mats from forming. If you like a longer, fluffier look, you'll need to brush at home more often and may need to book closer to every 4 weeks.

Long, silky coats: shih tzus, Yorkies and Maltese

Silky coats grow continuously and tangle around the ears, legs and belly. Many owners choose a shorter "puppy cut" to make home care easier. Either way, a full groom every 4–6 weeks keeps the face clear so your dog can see, keeps the hair around the eyes from causing irritation, and keeps the sanitary area clean.

Between full grooms, a Maintenance Groom (face, paws and sanitary trim plus a bath) is a good way to stay tidy without a full haircut every time.

Double coats: huskies, goldens and shepherds

Double-coated dogs have a soft undercoat under longer guard hairs. The undercoat is what ends up on your couch. These dogs usually should not be shaved: the coat helps regulate their temperature and protects their skin, and it doesn't always grow back the same way.

What helps instead is a bath with a thorough de-shedding treatment every 6–8 weeks, and more often in spring and fall when they "blow" their coat. A good de-shed removes a surprising amount of loose undercoat in one session, which means a lot less fur at home.

Short, smooth coats: labs, beagles and boxers

Short coats are the lowest maintenance, but they still shed, and they still need nails and ears looked after. A bath every 8–12 weeks, with a nail trim and ear cleaning, keeps most short-coated dogs comfortable. Weekly brushing with a rubber curry brush cuts down on shedding between baths.

Signs your dog needs grooming sooner

• You can hear the nails clicking on the floor.
• The coat feels tight or lumpy near the skin, especially behind the ears, under the collar and in the armpits.
• Hair is growing over the eyes or your dog is squinting.
• There's a noticeable smell, even after a rinse at home.
• Your dog is scooting or licking its paws more than usual. (If it continues, check with your vet.)

Don't forget the nails

Nails grow no matter what coat your dog has. Long nails change the way a dog stands and walks and can become painful. Most dogs need a nail trim every 4–6 weeks. If your dog only gets bathed every couple of months, it's worth keeping nails on a shorter schedule.

Make it a routine

The easiest way to stay on schedule is to stop thinking about it. With a recurring plan, your groomer comes back at the interval you choose, and you save on every visit. You can see the options on our pricing page, or book your first groom and set the schedule from there.