As a dog owner, regular grooming is essential for keeping your furry friend healthy and comfortable. Understanding the right grooming frequency based on your dog’s breed and needs helps maintain their coat, skin, and nails. This guide will help you determine how often your dog should be professionally groomed, whether they need frequent care or just occasional visits.
In addition to professional grooming, learning how to groom your dog at home can help extend the time between professional appointments. In fact, it is possible to go without professional grooming altogether, if you have the right tools and learn the proper techniques for brushing, trimming, and maintaining your dog’s coat.
| Breed | Recommended Frequency for Coat Grooming |
|---|---|
| Afghan Hound | 4-6 weeks |
| Affenpinscher | 10-12 weeks |
| Airedale Terrier | 8-10 weeks |
| Akita | 8-10 weeks |
| Alaskan Malamute | 8-10 weeks |
| Australian Cattle Dog | 10-12 weeks |
| Basset Hound | 6-8 weeks |
| Beagle | 12 weeks |
| Bearded Collie | 10-12 weeks |
| Bedlington Terrier | 4-6 weeks |
| Belgian Shepard Dog | 12 weeks |
| Bernese Mountain Dog | 12 weeks |
| Bichon Frise | 4-6 weeks |
| Bichon Bolognese | 4-6 weeks |
| Blood Hound | 8-12 weeks |
| Border Collie | 6-8 weeks |
| Border Terrier | 10-12 weeks |
| Borzoi | 12 weeks |
| Boston Terrier | 12 weeks |
| Bouvier des Flandres | 10-12 weeks |
| Boxer | 6-8 weeks |
| Briard | 10-12 weeks |
| Bull Terrier | 4-6 weeks |
| Bullmastiff | 8-10 weeks |
| Cairn Terrier | 10-12 weeks |
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 10-12 weeks |
| Cavipoo | 6-8 weeks |
| Chihuahua | 6-8 weeks |
| Chinese Crested Powderpuff | 6-8 weeks |
| Chinese Crested Hairless | 6-8 weeks |
| Chow Chow | 4-6 weeks |
| Clumber Spaniel | 10-12 weeks |
| Cocker Spaniel | 8-10 weeks |
| Cockapoo | 6-8 weeks |
| Corgi | 10-12 weeks |
| Dachshund | 10-12 weeks |
| Dalmatian | 8 weeks |
| Dandie Dinmont | 6-8 weeks |
| Deer Hound | 10 weeks |
| Doberman | 8-10 weeks |
| Dogue de Bordeaux | 8-10 weeks |
| English Bulldog | 4-6 weeks |
| English Setter | 10-12 weeks |
| Elkhound | 8 weeks |
| Field Spaniel | 8-10 weeks |
| French Bulldog | 10 weeks |
| Finnish Lapphund | 12-16 weeks |
| Finnish Spitz | 12-16 weeks |
| Flat Coated Retriever | 8-10 weeks |
| German Long Haired Pointer | 10 weeks |
| German Shepherd | 6-10 weeks |
| German Pointer | 10-12 weeks |
| Goldendoodle | 4-6 weeks |
| Golden Retriever | 8-10 weeks |
| Gordon Setter | 10 weeks |
| Great Dane | 8-10 weeks |
| Grey Hound | 8-10 weeks |
| Griffon Bruxellois | 10-12 weeks |
| Havanese | 6-8 weeks |
| Hungarian Vizsla | 8-10 weeks |
| Irish Setter | 10-12 weeks |
| Irish Terrier | 8-10 weeks |
| Irish Wolfhound | 10-12 weeks |
| Jack Russell Terrier | 10-12 weeks |
| Japanese Shiba Inu | 10 weeks |
| Keeshond | 8-10 weeks |
| Labrador Retriever | 8-12 weeks |
| Labradoodle | 6-8 weeks |
| Maltese | 6-8 weeks |
| Mastiff | 12 weeks |
| Miniature Bull Terrier | 6-8 weeks |
| Newfoundland | 12 weeks |
| Norfolk Terrier | 8-10 weeks |
| Old English Sheepdog | 8-10 weeks |
| Papillon | 8-10 weeks |
| Pekingese | 10 weeks |
| Pointer | 10-12 weeks |
| Pug | 10-12 weeks |
| Rottweiler | 6-10 weeks |
| Saint Bernard | 12 weeks |
| Shih Tzu | 6-8 weeks |
| Siberian Husky | 6-10 weeks |
| Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier | 6-10 weeks |
| Springer Spaniel | 8-10 weeks |
| Staffordshire Bull Terrier | 10 weeks |
| Tibetan Spaniel | 4-6 weeks |
| Tibetan Terrier | 8-10 weeks |
| Vizla | 4-8 weeks |
| Weimaraner | 6-10 weeks |
| Welsh Corgi | 10-12 weeks |
| West Highland White Terrier | 6-10 weeks |
| Whippet | 10-12 weeks |
| Yorkshire Terrier | 6-8 weeks |
Grooming your dog is more than just a beauty routine—it’s an important part of their overall care. Whether you’re maintaining their coat, nails, or ears, following a consistent grooming schedule can help prevent issues and keep your dog feeling great.
If you’re unsure about your dog’s breed-specific grooming needs, why not consider getting a dog DNA test? With the Embark DNA tester, you can learn more about your dog’s breed, health risks, and much more, which will help you provide the best care possible. This can be a great way to understand your dog better and tailor grooming schedules accordingly.
Always remember that every dog is unique. If you’re unsure of how to approach grooming or if your dog needs special attention, consult a professional groomer. They can offer expert advice tailored to your dog’s needs.
