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Grooming

How Often Should You Groom a Dog?

There is no one grooming schedule for every dog. A short-coated Africanis-type dog, a double-coated Husky, a curly-coated Poodle mix, and a beach-loving Labrador all need different maintenance.

Last reviewed: 2026-05-13

Quick takeaways

  • Coat type, lifestyle, season, swimming, dust, ticks, health, and age all affect grooming frequency.
  • Brush before mats form. Waiting until a coat is felted can make grooming painful.
  • Check paws, ears, and ticks after outdoor activity even if your dog does not need a full groom.
  • Ask a vet about itching, hair loss, bad smell, painful ears, or skin wounds.

Frequency by coat type

Use this as a starting point and adjust for your individual dog. Dogs who swim, hike, shed heavily, or have allergies may need more frequent checks.

Coat typeTypical maintenance
Short coatWeekly brushing or wipe-down, plus regular skin and tick checks.
Double coatRegular brushing, especially during seasonal shedding. Avoid automatic shaving.
Curly coatFrequent brushing and planned professional grooming to prevent mats.
Long coatSeveral brushing sessions per week and regular trimming where needed.
Wire or rough coatAsk a groomer about the correct coat maintenance method.

Lifestyle changes the schedule

A dog who spends time at the beach, on dusty farms, in long grass, or on hiking trails needs more checks than an indoor dog with short pavement walks.

  • Check paws after beach sand, tar, thorns, or hot paving.
  • Check ears after swimming.
  • Check ticks after grass, farms, kennels, and hikes.
  • Brush burrs and grass seeds out before they work into the coat.
  • Dry damp coats properly to reduce skin irritation.

Bathing frequency

Bathing too often can irritate some dogs' skin, while too little care can allow dirt, smell, and skin problems to build up. Use dog-safe shampoo and ask a vet if your dog is itchy, flaky, red, or smelly.

Signs grooming is overdue

Mats, clicking nails, smell, greasy coat, visible fleas, ear odour, compacted shedding, paw licking, or grass seeds are all signs the routine needs attention.

Frequently asked questions

Do short-haired dogs need grooming?

Yes. They still need brushing, nail care, tick checks, ear checks, and skin monitoring.

How often should I bath my dog?

It depends on coat, skin, smell, lifestyle, and vet advice. Use dog-safe shampoo and avoid over-bathing itchy dogs without guidance.

Why does my dog shed more in some seasons?

Seasonal coat changes are common, especially in double-coated dogs. Sudden bald patches, itching, or skin redness need a vet check.

How Often Should You Groom a Dog? | South Africa Guide