We get this question every day at the front desk, and the honest answer is: it depends on the coat. A Labrador and a Goldendoodle can weigh the same and live in the same house, but one needs a bath every couple of months and the other needs a haircut every six weeks. Here is how we think about it.
Curly and continuously growing coats: every 4 to 6 weeks
Poodles, doodles, Bichons, Shih Tzus and Yorkies have hair that keeps growing and tangles easily. Left longer than about six weeks, small knots near the skin turn into mats that can only be clipped out. A full groom every four to six weeks keeps the coat comfortable and lets you keep the longer, fluffier style.
Double coats: every 6 to 8 weeks, plus a de-shed in spring and fall
Huskies, shepherds, goldens, corgis and Aussies have a soft undercoat that sheds heavily twice a year. Please don’t shave them for summer: the undercoat insulates against heat as well as cold, and it may not grow back the same. A de-shedding bath every six to eight weeks, with an extra one when the coat blows, keeps the fur on our floor instead of yours.
Short, smooth coats: every 8 to 12 weeks
Beagles, boxers, pit bulls and labs mostly need a bath, a good brush and a nail trim. Every two to three months is plenty for most, unless they have discovered a pond.
Between visits
- Brush curly and long coats two or three times a week, all the way to the skin, with a slicker brush and then a metal comb.
- Check behind the ears, under the collar and in the armpits, where mats start first.
- Trim nails every three to four weeks. If you hear clicking on the floor, they are too long.
- Wipe paws after walks on hot pavement or salted sidewalks.
Not sure which group your dog fits? Book a Bath & Tidy and ask your groomer. We will suggest a schedule that suits your dog’s coat and your budget.
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