How often should you actually groom?
A quick breed-by-breed guide to coat type, season and what actually needs doing between visits.
Grooming frequency is a coat question, not a calendar question. Two dogs of the same size can need very different schedules depending on whether the coat is single, double, curly or wiry.
By coat type
- Short single coats (Indie, Labrador cross, Boxer): a bath every four to six weeks, brushing twice a week.
- Double coats (Husky, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever): brushing three to four times a week, more during shedding season. Never shave a double coat.
- Curly coats (Poodle, Shih Tzu crosses): full groom every four weeks, daily brushing between visits or it mats.
- Cats: most short-haired cats manage themselves; long-haired cats need brushing every second day.
Season changes the answer
Indian summers push most dogs into heavier shedding, and monsoon damp makes ear infections and hot spots far more likely. In humid months, dry the coat fully after every bath and check between the toes and under the collar.
If the brush stops halfway through the coat, you are already behind on grooming.
Nails, ears and teeth
Nails every three to four weeks: if you can hear them on the floor, they are long. Ears get a look every bath. Teeth need attention long before the breath goes bad.
