How Often Should You Really Groom Your Dog? A Breed-by-Breed Guide

I'll be honest — before I started building Scrubby, I had no idea how much grooming schedules varied between breeds. I figured you just took your dog in when they started looking rough. Turns out that's a great way to end up with matted fur, skin problems, and a groomer who has to charge you double because your dog is a tangled mess.

After talking to dozens of groomers while building out our booking platform, I've picked up a lot. So here's what I've learned about how often different dogs actually need professional grooming — and why it matters more than you'd think.

It's Really About Coat Type, Not Breed

People always Google "how often should I groom my Golden Retriever" or "Poodle grooming schedule," and that makes sense. But groomers think in terms of coat types first. Two mixed breeds can have completely different grooming needs based on what coat they inherited. So let's start there.

Short, Smooth Coats

Breeds like: Beagles, Boxers, Bulldogs, Pit Bulls, Dachshunds

Professional grooming: every 8–12 weeks.

These are the low-maintenance dogs, relatively speaking. Their coats don't tangle, they don't need haircuts, and a bath at home goes a long way. But "low maintenance" doesn't mean "no maintenance." Short-coated dogs still shed (sometimes a lot), and they benefit from regular nail trims, ear cleaning, and deshedding treatments that a groomer can do way better than you can in a bathtub.

I've heard from multiple groomers that the biggest mistake short-coat owners make is skipping grooming entirely. By the time they come in, the dog's nails are overgrown and the undercoat is packed. A quick visit every couple months prevents that.

Double Coats

Breeds like: Golden Retrievers, Huskies, German Shepherds, Corgis, Australian Shepherds

Professional grooming: every 6–8 weeks.

Double-coated breeds have that thick undercoat that keeps them warm in winter and (counterintuitively) cool in summer. The key thing here: never shave a double-coated dog. It doesn't grow back right, and it actually makes them worse at regulating their temperature.

What they do need is regular brushing at home (ideally a few times a week) and professional deshedding sessions. During shedding season — usually spring and fall — you might want to bump that up to every 4–6 weeks. If you've ever owned a Husky, you already know. Your vacuum knows too.

Long, Silky Coats

Breeds like: Yorkshire Terriers, Shih Tzus, Maltese, Afghan Hounds

Professional grooming: every 4–6 weeks.

Long-coated breeds are beautiful, and they know it. But that hair tangles fast. If you're keeping them in a longer style, you're brushing at home every single day — no shortcuts. Miss a few days and you'll be dealing with mats that are uncomfortable for the dog and expensive to work out at the groomer.

A lot of owners opt for a "puppy cut" (shorter all over) to make things more manageable between appointments. There's zero shame in that. Your dog doesn't care about their hairstyle. They care about being comfortable.

Curly and Wavy Coats

Breeds like: Poodles, Bichon Frises, Doodle mixes, Portuguese Water Dogs

Professional grooming: every 4–6 weeks.

Curly coats are the ones that really get away from people. Because these dogs don't shed much (great for allergies), owners sometimes assume they don't need frequent grooming. Opposite is true. That hair keeps growing, and the curls trap debris and form mats close to the skin where you might not even see them.

If you have a Doodle of any kind, listen — your groomer will thank you for keeping a regular schedule. I cannot tell you how many groomers have told me stories about Goldendoodles coming in after four months with matting so bad the only option is a full shave-down. The dog is stressed, the groomer is stressed, everyone has a bad time.

Every 4–6 weeks. Mark it on your calendar.

Wire and Rough Coats

Breeds like: Schnauzers, Wire Fox Terriers, Border Terriers, Airedales

Professional grooming: every 6–8 weeks.

Wire-coated breeds have a unique texture that requires hand-stripping or clipping to maintain properly. Hand-stripping (pulling out dead coat by hand) preserves the coat's natural texture and color, but not all groomers offer it, and it takes longer. If you want to maintain a show-quality wire coat, ask your groomer specifically about hand-stripping — and expect to pay a bit more for the extra time.

Most pet owners go with a standard clip, which works fine. Just know that clipping a wire coat repeatedly can soften the texture over time. Not a health issue, just a cosmetic one.

So What's the Actual Answer?

Here's the simplified version:

• Every 4–6 weeks: Poodles, Doodles, Shih Tzus, Yorkies, Maltese, Bichons — anything curly or long
• Every 6–8 weeks: Golden Retrievers, Huskies, German Shepherds, Schnauzers, Corgis — double coats and wire coats
• Every 8–12 weeks: Beagles, Boxers, Pit Bulls, Labs (short coat) — low maintenance but not no maintenance

And regardless of breed: nail trims every 3–4 weeks, ear checks every visit, and teeth brushing at home as often as you can manage (which for most of us, honestly, is "not enough").

The Real Problem Isn't Knowing — It's Booking

Here's what I've noticed: most people have a general sense that their dog needs grooming. The problem isn't knowledge. It's that booking a groomer is annoying. You call during business hours, leave a voicemail, wait for a callback, play phone tag for two days, and by then you've moved on with your life.

That's exactly why I built Scrubby. You shouldn't need to make a phone call to get your dog groomed. Pick a groomer, pick a time, add your dog's details, done. No phone tag. No hold music. No "let me check our availability and call you back."