How often should you get your dog groomed?

A beautifully maintained coat is more than just aesthetically pleasing—it's a reflection of your dog's overall health and comfort. Regular professional grooming plays an essential role in maintaining healthy skin, preventing painful matting, managing shedding, and ensuring your pet always looks and feels their best.
While every dog is unique, the ideal grooming schedule depends primarily on their coat type, lifestyle, and individual needs.
Short-Coated Breeds
Examples: Beagles, Boxers, Pugs, Labrador Retrievers
Although short-coated breeds require less maintenance than longer-coated dogs, they still benefit from routine professional grooming. A thorough bath, blow dry, nail trim, ear cleaning, and coat conditioning help remove loose hair, nourish the skin, and keep the coat sleek and healthy.
Recommended schedule: Every 4–8 weeks.
Double-Coated Breeds
Examples: Golden Retrievers, Australian Shepherds, Siberian Huskies, German Shepherds
Double-coated breeds naturally shed throughout the year, with heavier seasonal coat changes. Routine grooming helps remove excess undercoat, improves air circulation to the skin, and significantly reduces shedding in your home while keeping the coat full, healthy, and properly maintained.
Recommended schedule: Every 4–8 weeks.
Professional recommendation: Double-coated breeds should generally not be shaved unless medically necessary and advised by your veterinarian.
Curly & Wavy Coats
Examples: Poodles, Goldendoodles, Labradoodles, Bichon Frisés
These coats grow continuously and require consistent maintenance to remain soft, clean, and free of matting. Extending appointments too long between visits can lead to painful tangles and may require a shorter haircut than originally desired.
Recommended schedule: Every 4–6 weeks.
Long-Haired Breeds
Examples: Shih Tzus, Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers, Lhasa Apsos
Flowing coats require both regular home brushing and routine professional grooming to preserve their beauty and comfort. Frequent appointments help maintain coat condition while preventing knots and matting before they become a problem.
Recommended schedule: Every 4–6 weeks.
Wire-Coated Breeds
Examples: Schnauzers, Scottish Terriers, Wire Fox Terriers
Wire coats benefit from specialized maintenance to preserve their unique texture and appearance. Whether maintained through clipping or hand stripping, routine grooming keeps the coat healthy and well-presented.
Recommended schedule: Every 4–8 weeks.
Consistency Is the Key to Coat Health
Professional grooming is about far more than a haircut. Regular appointments also include essential maintenance that contributes to your dog's long-term health and comfort.
- Nail trimming to support healthy movement and posture.
- Ear care to help reduce the risk of irritation and infection.
- Skin and coat assessments to identify concerns early.
- Thorough brushing and de-shedding to maintain a healthy coat between seasonal changes.
An Investment in Your Dog's Well-Being
A consistent grooming routine is one of the simplest ways to support your dog's overall health while ensuring they always look and feel their absolute best. Preventative coat care not only enhances appearance but also promotes comfort, confidence, and long-term wellness.
Whether your companion requires routine maintenance or breed-specific care, establishing a personalized grooming schedule allows their coat to remain healthy, manageable, and beautifully maintained throughout every season.