The honest answer: most dogs benefit from a quick brush most days plus a proper home or professional groom every few weeks. The exact frequency depends massively on coat type, a Cockapoo is a different animal from a Whippet, who's a different animal from a Border Collie. The single biggest mistake owners make is under-grooming a high-maintenance coat until it mats, then panicking when the groomer has to shave it down.
Here's what each coat type actually needs, and what you can sensibly do at home.
What grooming is actually for
Grooming isn't just cosmetic. Done properly, it:
- Removes dead hair (so it doesn't end up on your sofa)
- Prevents mats (which are painful and trap moisture, leading to skin infections)
- Distributes natural skin oils
- Lets you spot lumps, bumps, ticks, grass seeds, and skin issues early
- Builds a positive handling habit (paws, ears, mouth, useful for vet visits)
- Manages shedding seasons
A well-groomed dog is a healthier dog. It's not optional.
The seven coat categories
Different breeds have very different needs. Most fit into one of these:
1. Smooth / short coats
Examples: Whippet, Greyhound, Pinscher, Boxer, Beagle, Pug (smooth side), Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Boston Terrier, Dobermann, Vizsla.
Home routine: Quick weekly brush with a rubber grooming mitt or a soft bristle brush. That's it.
Professional groom: Rarely needed. A bath every 6–12 weeks at home is plenty.
Shedding: Year-round but low-volume. Twice-yearly bigger sheds (spring and autumn).
Annual grooming budget: £0–£50.
This is the lowest-maintenance category. Most owners barely think about grooming, which is correct.
2. Double coats (smooth-ish)
Examples: Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever (smoother lines), Rottweiler, Cattle Dogs, Akita, Husky, German Shepherd (short-coated lines).
Home routine: Weekly thorough brush with a slicker brush + undercoat rake. Daily during the twice-yearly "blow" (spring and autumn shed).
Professional groom: Every 2–4 months for a good de-shed and bath. Some owners DIY this; others find the volume of hair too much.
Shedding: Continuous moderate, with two big peaks per year. The autumn coat-blow is particularly intense.
Annual grooming budget: £100–£250 if using a groomer for de-shed; £50 if DIY.
Common mistake: Cutting / shaving double coats. The coat protects against both heat and cold and doesn't grow back the same way. Don't shave a Husky for summer.
3. Long, smooth coats
Examples: Long-haired Dachshund, Cavalier King Charles, Setters (English, Irish, Gordon), Spaniels (most types), Border Collie (long-coated).
Home routine: 3–4 times a week with a slicker brush and comb. Pay attention to feathering on legs, ears, tail.
Professional groom: Every 8–12 weeks for a tidy-up around the feet, ears, and "private" areas. Most owners don't full-clip these dogs.
Common issues: Mats behind ears, between toes, in the "armpits", around the bum. Burrs and grass seeds are a real problem in summer.
Annual grooming budget: £150–£400.
4. Curly / wavy "doodle" coats
Examples: Cockapoo, Cavapoo, Labradoodle, Bernedoodle, Poodle (Standard, Mini, Toy), Bichon Frise, Portuguese Water Dog.
Home routine: Daily brushing with a slicker brush + comb. Pay particular attention to:
- Behind the ears
- Under the collar
- The "armpits" and groin
- Between the back legs
- Around the bum
Professional groom: Every 6–8 weeks, no exceptions. This is the high-maintenance category, and skipping a groom by even a couple of weeks can mean the dog needs to be shaved.
Annual grooming budget: £400–£900.
5. Wire coats
Examples: Border Terrier, Wirehaired Dachshund, Schnauzer (all sizes), Wirehaired Vizsla, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, Welsh Terrier, Lakeland Terrier.
Home routine: Weekly brush with a slicker brush and pin brush.
Professional groom: Wire coats benefit from "hand-stripping" (gently plucking out dead hair), which preserves the texture and colour of the coat. This is done every 8–12 weeks. Clipping (with scissors / clippers) is faster but softens the coat over time.
Annual grooming budget: £200–£500.
A note for terrier owners: Hand-stripping is becoming rarer as fewer groomers learn it. Find one who does if you can, your dog's coat will thank you.
6. "Hairless" / minimal coats
Examples: Chinese Crested, Mexican Hairless (Xolo), Peruvian Inca Orchid.
Home routine: Skin care more than coat care, oil/lotion, sun protection, sometimes warm clothing.
Professional groom: Mostly unnecessary, but specialist skin baths every 4–8 weeks help.
Annual grooming budget: £100–£300.
7. Heavy double coats / "fur farmers"
Examples: Newfoundland, Bernese Mountain Dog, Saint Bernard, Pyrenean Mountain Dog, Old English Sheepdog, Briard, Bouvier des Flandres.
Home routine: Daily brushing for serious mats prevention. A slicker brush, undercoat rake, and dematting tool are essential.
Professional groom: Every 6–10 weeks. These dogs take time, a full Newfoundland groom can be 3+ hours.
Annual grooming budget: £400–£1,000+.
These dogs lose heat slowly, mat quickly, and shed prodigiously. Plan for it before you get one.
What home grooming actually involves
Don't be intimidated. A solid daily home-care routine takes 5–10 minutes for most coats:
The basic kit
- Slicker brush — works for most coat types. Get a good one (~£15+).
- Comb — finishes the job, finds tangles. Get a stainless steel one with rotating teeth.
- Pin brush — useful for long, silky coats.
- Undercoat rake — for double-coated dogs in shedding season.
- De-matting tool — only as a last resort; better to prevent mats.
- Nail clippers or grinder — the bit most owners avoid (more below).
- Pet shampoo — only when needed; over-bathing dries out skin.
- Ear cleaner — for breeds with floppy ears (Spaniels, Cockapoos, Cavaliers).
The 10-minute daily routine
For a Cockapoo / curly-coated breed:
- Slicker brush all over, working in small sections from skin out
- Comb through after to check for missed tangles
- Quick check around ears, armpits, tail base, paws
- Wipe paws if muddy
- Treat for cooperation
Most coats benefit from this; high-maintenance ones require it.
Bathing, less than you think
Most dogs need a bath every 6–12 weeks unless they've rolled in something. Over-bathing strips natural oils and causes dry, itchy skin.
Use lukewarm water, dog-specific shampoo (human shampoo is the wrong pH), thorough rinsing, and good drying. A high-velocity dryer (about £80) is a game-changer if you bath at home, it dries fast and "blows out" loose undercoat.
Nails, the bit nobody enjoys
Most dogs need nails trimmed every 3–6 weeks. Signs they're too long:
- You can hear them clicking on hard floors
- They're touching the ground when the dog is standing
- They're starting to curl
Tools: Guillotine clippers, scissor clippers, or a Dremel-style grinder. Most home owners find grinders less stressful for the dog (no "sudden" cut).
The quick: The pink area inside the nail. Cut it and you'll get blood and a yelp. Take small slices, especially on dark nails. Keep styptic powder (or cornflour in a pinch) handy.
If your dog hates nail trims (most do at first):
- Treat for paw handling, then for clipper sight, then for one nail
- Build slowly over weeks
- Some dogs accept nail grinders better than clippers
- A groomer or vet nurse can do nails for £5–£15 if you give up
Long nails are a real welfare issue. They cause posture changes, joint pain, and skin infections. Don't let them go.
Ears
Floppy-eared breeds (Cockapoos, Cavaliers, Spaniels, Setters, Basset Hounds) are prone to ear infections. Routine:
- Visual check weekly
- Wipe outer ear with a damp cloth or ear wipe
- Use a vet-recommended ear cleaner if discharge is present
- Don't poke cotton buds inside — push wax further in
- See a vet for any redness, smell, or scratching
Teeth
Underrated. Most UK dogs over 3 have some level of dental disease. The single best home intervention is brushing, daily ideally, 3–4 times a week minimum.
Dog toothpaste (chicken / liver flavoured) and a finger brush or small toothbrush. Build the habit gradually.
Dental chews help but are not a substitute for brushing. Annual dental scale-and-polish at the vet costs £200–£500 under sedation.
What you can skip
A few things that get oversold:
- Designer "spa" treatments — usually just a bath with extras. Save your money.
- Anal gland expression as routine — only express if there's a problem (most dogs empty them naturally).
- "Coat conditioner" — most aren't necessary unless your dog has skin issues.
- Daily bathing — overdoing it dries out skin.
- Cologne / perfume products — pointless, often irritate skin.
Finding a good UK groomer
Things to look for:
- City & Guilds qualified (or equivalent, qualifications aren't legally required in the UK)
- Insured
- Calm, low-stress environment — watch through the window if you can
- Force-free handling — no muzzling for routine grooms (medical exceptions aside), no harsh restraint
- Honest about your dog's coat — willing to say "we'll have to shave because of the mats" rather than pretending
- One-dog-at-a-time grooming — preferable to bay-style with multiple dogs at once
- References / reviews
Cost varies by region: £30–£60 for a small dog in most areas, £60–£100+ for a doodle or large breed, more in London and the home counties.
FAQs
How often should I bath my dog? Every 6–12 weeks is plenty for most. More often if they've rolled in something. Less often if they have dry skin.
Should I brush my dog every day? Daily for curly / long coats; weekly for smooth / short coats. Adjust to your individual dog.
Why is my dog's coat matted? Almost always: not enough brushing, particularly behind the ears, under the collar, in the armpits and groin. The fix is more frequent brushing (or a shave-down to start fresh).
Do I have to use a groomer? For low-maintenance coats, no. For curly / doodle coats, yes, every 6–8 weeks, or you'll end up at the groomer for an emergency shave-down.
Why does my dog hate grooming? Usually because they had a bad early experience or were never habituated. Build it back gradually with treats, short sessions, and patience.
My dog scratches a lot, is it grooming-related? Maybe. Could be over-bathing, harsh shampoo, mats, fleas, allergies, anal gland issues, or skin disease. If it persists after grooming changes, see a vet.