How Often Should You Groom Your Dog? A Coat-Type Guide for SEQ Owners

Grooming frequency by coat type

• Curly / non-shedding (Poodle, Cavoodle, Bichon): full groom every 4 to 6 weeks, plus brushing every 1 to 2 days at home.
• Long-coated (Shih Tzu, Maltese, Cavalier): full groom every 6 to 8 weeks, brushing every 1 to 2 days.
• Double-coated (Labrador, Golden Retriever, Husky, German Shepherd): bath and de-shed every 6 to 8 weeks, brushing 2 to 3 times a week, daily during a coat blow.
• Wire-coated (Miniature Schnauzer, many terriers): full groom every 6 to 8 weeks, brushing twice a week.
• Short smooth (Staffy, Labrador, French Bulldog, Jack Russell): wash every 4 to 8 weeks as needed, a quick weekly brush and regular skin-fold checks for wrinkly breeds.

Why curly and long coats need the most attention

Curly and continuously-growing coats do not shed loose hair the way other coats do; instead, dead hair stays trapped against the skin and tangles. Left alone, this becomes matting within weeks, which is uncomfortable, traps moisture and heat, and in our humid climate can lead to skin infections.

That is why a Cavoodle or Poodle needs both a regular four to six week full groom and frequent home brushing. Skip either and you will likely face a de-matting fee or a shave-down at the next appointment.

Double coats are different: do not over-bathe

Double-coated breeds have a protective topcoat and an insulating undercoat. They need regular de-shedding to clear dead undercoat, especially during seasonal blows, but they should not be bathed too often or clipped short. Over-bathing strips natural oils, and clipping a double coat can permanently damage how it regrows.

A bath with a high-velocity blow-out every six to eight weeks, combined with regular brushing, keeps these coats healthy. During a heavy shed you may need to brush daily for a week or two.

How the SEQ climate changes the schedule

South East Queensland's long, warm and humid season affects grooming timing more than many owners realise. Humidity makes mats form faster and skin issues more common, so curly and long coats often need slightly more frequent attention here than in cooler states.

Spring tends to trigger heavier shedding in double-coated dogs, so book a de-shed as the weather warms. The wet season means muddier dogs and more between-groom washes, and the summer heat is a good reason for a sensible tidy-up, though not a shave-down for double coats.

Signs your dog is overdue

• You can feel knots or mats when you run your fingers through the coat.
• A doggy smell that lingers after the coat dries.
• Nails clicking on hard floors or starting to curl.
• Tear staining, eye hair growing into the eyes, or hair covering the paw pads.
• Visibly more shedding around the house than usual, signalling a coat blow.