How Often Should You Groom Your Dog? A Complete Guide

One of the most common questions pet owners ask is: how often should I groom my dog? The honest answer is — it depends. Breed, coat type, lifestyle and age all play a role.

Grooming frequency by coat type

Short-haired dogs (Labrador, Beagle, Staffie): Every 6–8 weeks for a professional bath and nail trim. Brush weekly at home.

Medium-haired dogs (Border Collie, Husky): Every 4–6 weeks. Double coats require regular deshedding, especially in the SA summer heat.

Long-haired dogs (Maltese, Shih Tzu, Yorkshire Terrier): Every 3–4 weeks. Long coats matt quickly and need regular professional attention.

Curly/wavy coats (Poodle, Labradoodle, Cavoodle): Every 4–6 weeks. Curly coats keep growing and need regular trimming to prevent matting.

Signs your dog needs grooming now

• Visible matting or tangles
• Hair covering the eyes
• Nails clicking on hard floors
• Dirty or smelly coat
• Excessive scratching

Grooming at home between appointments

Regular brushing at home between professional grooms makes a big difference. For most dogs, a 5-10 minute brush two or three times a week keeps their coat healthy and reduces shedding in your home.

Puppies and grooming

Start grooming your puppy early — even just gentle brushing and handling of paws and ears. This builds positive associations with grooming and makes professional appointments much easier when they grow up.