Professional grooms by coat type
A rough map of how often the parlour usually sees each kind of coat.
| Coat type | Professional groom | Home brushing |
|---|---|---|
| Short and smooth | Every 2 to 3 months | Weekly, mostly for shine and bonding. |
| Double coated | Every 2 to 3 months | Several times a week, daily when shedding. |
| Long and silky | Every 6 to 8 weeks | Most days, to stay ahead of tangles. |
| Curly and woolly | Every 4 to 8 weeks | Several times a week, mats form fast. |
| Wire coated | Every 8 to 12 weeks | Weekly, plus hand stripping for some breeds. |
The home routine
The groomer does the shaping. The everyday care happens on your sofa.
- Brush on a rhythm that suits the coat, little and often beats occasional marathons.
- Nails every three to four weeks, or when you hear the clickety click on floors.
- Ears checked weekly, especially for floppy eared swimmers.
- Teeth a few times a week, with vet approved chews or brushing.
Baths: less often than you think
Most dogs need a bath every four to eight weeks, or when they have discovered something unspeakable in the park. Overbathing strips natural oils, so let the coat and the nose decide.
- Use a dog shampoo, never human products.
- Brush before the bath, water tightens mats.
- Rinse longer than feels necessary, leftover shampoo itches.
- Make it warm, calm and treat filled so next time is easier.
Never miss the next appointment
Good groomers book out weeks ahead. A repeating reminder means you reserve the next slot before you even leave the parlour.
- Log each groom with the parlour name and what was done.
- Set the repeat interval, every month, six weeks or whatever suits the coat.
- Book the next appointment before the reminder, not after.
- Note anything the groomer flags, skin, ears or lumps, for your vet.
Good questions
How often should a dog be groomed?+
It depends on the coat. Short coated dogs often need a professional groom every two to three months with weekly brushing at home, while long or curly coats like poodles and doodles usually need a groom every four to eight weeks to stay mat free.
How often should I brush my dog at home?+
Short coats are happy with a weekly brush. Long, double or curly coats do best with brushing several times a week, or daily during shedding season, to keep tangles and mats from forming.
How often should a dog's nails be trimmed?+
Most dogs need a nail trim every three to four weeks. If you can hear clicking on hard floors, it is time. Dogs who walk a lot on pavement sometimes wear theirs down naturally and need fewer trims.
Recurring grooms, remembered for you
Set a groom to repeat every few weeks or months and PetWrite nudges you before the next one, with parlour details and notes kept beside the rest of their records.
Start your pet's story freeKeep reading
Everything to have ready before those little paws come home, from first vet visit to first toy.
How often adult dogs should eat, and how to keep mealtimes calm and consistent.
The honest rhythm of checkups for puppies, adults and wise old seniors.
This guide is general information. Coat needs vary by breed, lifestyle and skin health, and your groomer or vet can fine tune the rhythm for your dog.