"How often does my dog actually need to be groomed?" is one of the questions we get asked the most, and the honest answer is: it depends far more on coat type than on breed name or size.
Short, smooth coats (Labradors, Beagles, Boxers)
These coats shed year-round but do not mat. A bath and de-shedding treatment every 6 to 8 weeks keeps shedding under control and the skin healthy. Between visits, a quick weekly brush at home goes a long way.
Double coats (Huskies, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers)
Double-coated breeds blow their undercoat seasonally, usually spring and fall, and can look like they are shedding nonstop during those windows. A de-shedding groom every 4 to 6 weeks, with extra sessions during the heavy shedding seasons, makes a real difference in how much fur ends up on your furniture.
Curly and wavy coats (Poodles, Doodles, Bichons)
This is the coat type that mats the fastest, especially behind the ears, under the collar, and in the armpits. These dogs really do need grooming every 4 to 6 weeks. Skipping appointments does not just mean a shaggier dog, it means mats that pull on the skin and, in bad cases, have to be shaved out entirely.
Wiry coats (Terriers, Schnauzers)
Wire coats hold their shape best with hand-stripping or a scissor trim every 6 to 8 weeks. These breeds do not shed much, but the coat needs regular shaping to stay comfortable and looking the way it should.
A simple rule of thumb
- If you can run a comb through the coat with no resistance, you are on schedule.
- If you are finding tangles starting behind the ears or in the legs, you have waited a bit too long.
- Nail trims usually need to happen more often than a full groom, about every 3 to 4 weeks for most dogs.
Not sure what your dog needs? Send us a photo when you book and we will recommend a schedule based on their actual coat, not just their breed.