How often

How often should you groom your dog?

It depends on the coat. Here is a simple plan for each kind of coat, and what the sources say for each breed we cover, cats too.

Short answer: For most adult dogs, a bath, a nail trim, and a haircut if needed every 4 to 6 weeks is a good plan, says a vet writing for PetMD. Poodles and doodles often go every 4 to 8 weeks. Short, smooth coats may only need a groomer now and then, but every dog needs brushing at home.

Curly coats: poodles and doodles.

These coats keep growing and shed little, so the loose hair stays in and tangles. The AKC says to trim a poodle about every 4 to 8 weeks. A vet-reviewed PetMD page gives the same for Goldendoodles. Brush a few times a week at home, or every day for long coats.

Long, silky coats.

Think Shih Tzus, Yorkies, and Maltese. They need brushing every day so tangles don’t turn into mats. The AKC says a Shih Tzu in a short puppy cut needs a groom about every 4 to 6 weeks.

Double coats.

Think Goldens, Huskies, and German Shepherds. They have a soft undercoat that sheds, often a lot in spring and fall. Brush at least once a week, and more when they shed. A groomer quoted by the AKC sees Golden Retrievers every 4 to 6 weeks. These dogs need de-shedding more than baths.

Short, smooth coats.

Think Labs, Boxers, and Beagles. Brush at least once a week. We found no trusted source that sets a groomer visit for these coats. Many owners book one for a bath, a de-shed, and nails when the dog needs it.

Wire coats.

Many terriers have a rough, wiry coat. Groomers often pull out the dead hair by hand, called hand stripping, instead of clipping it. Clipping can soften the coat over time. A vet writing for PetMD says a Wire Fox Terrier with a show coat is stripped 3 to 4 times a year.

Nails and baths.

VCA says most dogs need a nail trim about once a month. Bath advice differs. The ASPCA says at least every 3 months, and VCA says every 6 to 8 weeks for coats that don’t shed. Ask your groomer what fits your dog’s coat and skin.

Questions people ask.

How often should a dog be professionally groomed?

For most adult dogs, every 4 to 6 weeks. Poodles and doodles often go every 4 to 8 weeks. Short-coated dogs may only need a groomer now and then.

How often should I brush my dog?

Short coats at least once a week. Long, silky, or curly coats every day. Double coats at least once a week, and more in shedding season.

How often should a dog get a nail trim?

About once a month for most dogs, says VCA. Dogs that don’t walk much on hard ground may need it more often.

How often should I groom a doodle?

Most doodles need a groomer every 4 to 8 weeks, with brushing at home a few times a week.

Where these facts come from.

We read each page on November 2, 2026. This is general advice, not vet care. Ask your vet about your own pet. The breed table comes from the source named on each breed’s page.

How often, breed by breed.

Each line comes from the source named on that breed’s page. Pick a breed to see what a mobile groom costs and who can do it near you.

Doodles

Breed	How often
Goldendoodle	Brush a few times a week at home. Plan on a professional groom every 4 to 8 weeks.
Labradoodle	The Australian Labradoodle Association says the coat and nails need grooming about once a month. Brush at home a few times a week.
Bernedoodle	Brush every week. Book regular professional grooms to keep the coat free of tangles.
Cockapoo	Plan on a professional groom every 4 to 6 weeks to keep the hair tidy and free of mats. Brush between grooms. Clip the nails about every 6 weeks.
Sheepadoodle	Brush a few times a week, or every day. Book a bath and a trim about every couple of months.
Aussiedoodle	Every coat is different. Curly coats need more brushing and trims than coats that take after the Aussie parent. Bathe only when needed.
Cavapoo	Brush about three times a week. Book a grooming visit every six weeks.

Heavy shedders

Breed	How often
Golden Retriever	Brush once or twice a week, and every day when they shed heavily. A bath helps loosen dead hair.
Labrador Retriever	An occasional bath, regular nail trims, and teeth brushing are the main needs.
German Shepherd	A quick brushing every few days, and more when they shed. Trim or grind the nails every month if they don’t wear down.
Siberian Husky	Brush every week. When the undercoat sheds, rake it out often. Most huskies need only a few baths a year.
Australian Shepherd	Brush every week. When they shed, use an undercoat rake every 2 or 3 days. A bath is needed only now and then.
Samoyed	Brush every day to remove dirt and loose hair. Trim the nails every 3 to 4 weeks, or as needed.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi	Go over the coat with a comb and a slicker brush every day. When they shed, a bath helps loosen the dead hair.
Shetland Sheepdog	Brush every week, and more when they shed. Check for mats behind the ears, under the front legs, and under the tail. Bathe only now and then.
Alaskan Malamute	Brush every day. Use an undercoat rake twice a year, in shedding season. A pet Malamute can go six to eight weeks between baths.
Akita	Brush at least once a week. Brush more often when the undercoat sheds.
Rough Collie	Brush down to the skin once a week. Extra brushing helps during the big shed.
Border Collie	Brush with a pin brush once or twice a week, or more if needed. Brush every day in shedding season.
Keeshond	Brush every week with a pin brush. Many owners take the dog to a groomer for a bath and blow-dry every four to six weeks.
Shiba Inu	Brush or comb during heavy shedding to cut down the hair in your home. The coat does not mat, so other brushing can be light.
Australian Cattle Dog	Brush once a week. During shedding season, brush it out well every few days.

Small dogs

Breed	How often
Poodle	Many owners book a groom every 4 to 6 weeks for a bath, a clip, and nails. In a long coat, brush to the skin every day, or the coat will mat.
Shih Tzu	A long coat needs daily brushing. Many owners pick a short “puppy trim” instead. Bathe about every 3 or 4 weeks.
Yorkshire Terrier	A long coat needs daily brushing and a bath about once a week. Keep the hair on top of the head short or tied up.
Maltese	Brush and comb gently every day to stop mats. Bathe often, trim the fast-growing nails, and brush the teeth.
Bichon Frise	Brush a few times a week, or every day. Most owners book a bath and a clip every 4 to 6 weeks.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel	Regular brushing and an occasional bath. Check the ears every week, and trim the nails at least once a month.
Pomeranian	Brush to the skin once a week. The AKC suggests a full professional groom every 4 to 6 weeks if you don’t do it at home.
Maltipoo	Brush every day. Plan on a professional groom every 4 to 6 weeks.
Miniature Schnauzer	Most pet owners have a groomer clip the coat every 5 to 8 weeks. Bathe about once a month, trim the nails monthly, and check the ears every week.
Havanese	A long coat needs combing every day to stop mats. Many owners pick a short trim instead. Bathe now and then, and wipe the corners of the eyes every day.
Cocker Spaniel	Comb all the way to the skin on a regular schedule. Missed sessions lead to mats. Bathe with a good dog shampoo and rinse well.
Lhasa Apso	Bathe a long coat at least every two weeks, and brush at least once between baths. A puppy cut still needs regular brushing.
West Highland White Terrier	Brush and comb every day. A visit to the groomer every 4 to 6 weeks works well. Too many baths can harm a hard coat.
Cairn Terrier	Brush and comb every week. Plan on hand-stripping now and then.
Scottish Terrier	Brush and comb every week. Hand-stripping once a month is best. A clipped coat can be kept up on a six to eight week schedule.
Pekingese	Brush at least one hour a week to remove loose hair and stop mats. Add a bath now and then.
Papillon	Grooming about once a month is fine. In between, comb the spots where mats form. Bathe every few months.
Chihuahua	A smooth coat needs only some brushing and regular baths. A long coat needs brushing at least once a week.
Dachshund	A smooth coat needs little more than a wipe-down. Brush a longhaired coat more often. A wirehaired coat needs brushing once or twice a week. Trim the nails every month.
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier	Brush and comb every day. Pull mats apart with a brush, comb, and fingers, never with scissors.
French Bulldog	Brush once a week with a medium-bristle brush, a rubber mitt, or a hound glove. Keep the face folds clean and dry.
Pug	Brush once a week with a medium-bristle brush, a rubber mitt, or a hound glove. Bathe only if the dog gets messy or smelly.
Jack Russell Terrier	Brush or rub down with a hound glove once a week. Trim nails every month and check ears every week.
Toy Poodle	Brush every day unless you keep a short trim. Many owners book a groomer every four to six weeks.
Yorkipoo	Brush every day. Book a groomer every four to six weeks.
Shih-poo	Brush every day. Book a groomer every one to two months.
Beagle	Brush once a week. Baths are not needed often.
Boston Terrier	Brush once a week. Baths are only now and then.

Big dogs

Breed	How often
Great Pyrenees	Brush well at least once a week to cut down on shed hair. Trim the nails and brush the teeth often.
Bernese Mountain Dog	Brush every week, and every day when they shed. Trim the nails regularly.
Old English Sheepdog	Brush down to the skin over the whole dog at least once a week. Even a short puppy trim needs brushing between baths and haircuts. Many owners book a groomer more than once a month.
Newfoundland	Brush well at least once a week. Brush every day in shedding season. A spayed or neutered Newf may need brushing out several times a week.
Chow Chow	Brush well at least twice a week, and give a bath once a month.
Giant Schnauzer	Brush every week. Clip or strip the coat on a regular basis.
Portuguese Water Dog	Plan on regular grooming every week. Add a bath now and then.
English Springer Spaniel	Brush every week to remove dirt and loose hair and to stop mats. Take the dog to a groomer for clipping and neatening, or do it yourself.
Saint Bernard	Brush every week. Brush every day in shedding season.
Rottweiler	Brush once a week and bathe on a regular schedule. Expect heavier shedding twice a year.
Pit Bull	Brush once a week or every two weeks. Brush more if your dog sheds a lot. Baths are not needed often.
English Bulldog	Brush for about 10 minutes two or three times a week. Check the face wrinkles often. Trim nails about every two weeks.
Boxer	Rub down with a rubber curry brush or hound glove once or twice a week. Baths are only now and then.
Doberman Pinscher	A quick brush with a short-bristle brush or mitt every day. Baths are not needed often. Trim nails at least once a month.
Great Dane	Brush once a week. Brush every day during the one or two heavy shedding seasons. Baths are only now and then.
Weimaraner	Brush to lift dead hair. Keep nails short. Clean the ears.
Brittany	Brush with a soft brush or hound glove and comb the feathering. Trim nails every month. Check the ears.

Cats

Breed	How often
Persian	Comb every day, or the coat can form painful mats. Many Persian owners book a professional groomer.
Maine Coon	Comb two or three times a week. Each session takes 10 minutes or less. Most do not need regular baths.
Ragdoll	Comb once or twice a week with a steel comb.
Siberian	Some cats need a weekly comb to stop mats. Feel the belly, tail, and back legs several times a week.
Himalayan	Brush every day with a comb that reaches the undercoat. Some owners book a groomer for routine haircuts instead.
Norwegian Forest Cat	Comb regularly with a stainless-steel comb. Give extra care in spring when the winter coat drops.
British Shorthair	A quick weekly comb or brush is enough.
Sphynx	No brushing needed. Bathe on a regular schedule your vet agrees with. Too many baths dry the skin.

Written by Fluffmobile. Updated November 2, 2026. This is general advice, and every groomer has their own rules.

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