Dogs are a joy in any home, but let’s face it: dogs take up a lot of time and we’re all busy people these days! Your dog demands (and deserves!) attention, love, and care, and sometimes it can be tricky to balance their needs against everything else you have going on. As such it can be easy to let some things slide, including grooming and coat care. In order to stay on track and help your dog look and feel its best, your dog’s coat should be groomed regularly. So that raises the central question for today: how many times a month should you have your dog groomed? There’s no hard and fast answer; rather it depends on the breed in question, their lifestyle, and their health and age. Let’s break it down and learn a bit more about grooming and when your dog needs to be groomed.
Perhaps the easiest way to start is to break it down by coat type:
Different Types of Dog’s Coat
- Short coated breeds like Boston terriers, Dobermans, American Staffordshires, pugs, and Chihuahuas require fairly minimal care. A bath every four to six weeks and a once-a-week brushing to help cut down on shedding are generally enough. Short-haired breeds don’t need much trimming under normal circumstances, so put the clippers away!
- Double-coated breeds are a bit more complex. Double-coated breeds– Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Shiba Inu, Australian Shepards, Huskies, and the like–have a two-layered coat and tend to shed the undercoat seasonally. Without regular brushing, their undercoats can become tangled and matted, leading to discomfort and health problems. A monthly bash, brushing 2-3 times a week, and professional trimming as needed is a must for these breeds particularly when they’re shedding.
- Curly and wavy coats, such as those found on poodles, water spaniels, and some retrievers, offer some interesting considerations for care. While breeds with curly or wavy coats tend to shed far less than some other kinds of dogs, their coats are more likely to trap dirt and debris or become matted. Brushing at least three times a week, including some spot-cleaning with shampoo should matting occur, is essential for these dogs. Bathing and grooming should be done once a month, particularly for active, outdoor dogs.
- Airedales, fox terriers, and some dachshunds are among the wiry-coated breeds that you may encounter, and they have some unique care considerations. While wiry coats rarely shed, they do require a good deal of brushing to avoid matting and skin problems. These breeds need to be brushed between one and three times a week, with a full bath and grooming at least every other month. Regular trimmings can help with comfort and sanitation, so don’t neglect them!
By understanding the care your dog’s coat needs and how often to do it, you’ll be on your way to establishing a regular schedule that both fits into your busy lifestyle and helps your dog stay healthy and happy. At K9000, we’re dedicated to making dog care easy by offering DIY solutions for bathing and grooming that take the work and mess out of the process. A regular trip to a K9000 self-serve dog wash may be just the thing for you and your pup!
