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How Often Should You Groom Your Dog by Breed? The Honest Guide

📅 Updated: November 2025
⏱️ 12 min read
Three dogs showing different grooming needs - curly-coated Cockapoo, short-coated Labrador, and smooth-coated Beagle with professional groomer outside UK grooming salon

Table of Contents

Your groomer says every 6 weeks. Your mate down the pub says every 12 weeks. Your wallet says never. Who's right?

Here's the truth: grooming frequency recommendations can vary between groomers. Factors include your dog's coat condition, breed requirements, how much you maintain at home, and what's needed to keep your dog comfortable and healthy. Understanding these factors helps you make informed decisions.

So what's the real answer?

What you'll discover:

Spoiler: Most dogs need professional grooming less often than your groomer claims. But some breeds? They're not kidding about the 6-week schedule.

The Core Truth About Grooming Frequency

Three factors determine how often YOUR dog needs grooming:

1. Coat Type (Most Important)

Your dog's coat structure determines everything:

Continuously Growing Coats (like human hair)

Shedding Double Coats (undercoat + guard hairs)

Short Single Coats (minimal shedding)

Wire/Broken Coats (requires hand-stripping)

2. Lifestyle & Environment

3. Your Home Maintenance

Important: Proper brushing means skin-to-tip, not just surface fluff. Most owners think they're brushing properly when they're only touching the top layer of fur.

Breed-by-Breed Grooming Frequency Guide

Side-by-side comparison of high-maintenance Cockapoo with curly coat requiring frequent grooming versus low-maintenance Staffordshire Bull Terrier with short coat
High-maintenance breeds like Cockapoos need professional grooming every 6-8 weeks, while low-maintenance breeds like Staffies can go 12+ weeks between grooms.

High-Maintenance Breeds (Every 4-8 Weeks)

Poodles (Standard, Miniature, Toy):

Cockapoos, Labradoodles, Goldendoodles:

For detailed care advice, see our Complete Guide to Grooming Doodles.

Bichon Frise:

Shih Tzu:

Yorkshire Terrier:

Moderate-High Maintenance (Every 6-10 Weeks)

Cocker Spaniel:

Golden Retriever:

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel:

Schnauzer:

Moderate Maintenance (Every 8-12 Weeks)

Labrador Retriever:

German Shepherd:

Border Collie:

Low-Moderate Maintenance (Every 10-16 Weeks)

Beagle:

French Bulldog:

Pug:

Low Maintenance (Every 12-20 Weeks)

Staffordshire Bull Terrier:

Jack Russell Terrier:

Whippet/Greyhound:

Warning Signs You're Waiting Too Long

See these signs? Book a groomer immediately:

  1. Matting anywhere on the body - Even small mats pull on skin and cause discomfort
  2. Nails touching the ground - Overgrown nails cause joint pain and deformities
  3. Dirty, smelly coat - Natural oils become rancid
  4. Visible discharge from ears - Ear infections brewing
  5. Tear staining getting worse - Indicates overdue facial cleaning
  6. Difficulty walking/moving - Mats restricting movement
  7. Your dog scratching constantly - Matted coat pulling skin
Close-up of severely matted dog fur being carefully dematted with professional grooming tools showing consequences of waiting too long
Matting like this is painful for dogs and indicates you've waited far too long between grooms. Prevent this with regular maintenance.

How to Extend Time Between Professional Grooms

1. Invest in Proper Tools

For Long/Curly Coats:

For Short Coats:

2. Establish a Home Routine

Dog owner brushing Golden Labrador with slicker brush in park setting demonstrating regular home grooming maintenance
Regular brushing at home - even just 10 minutes a few times per week - can significantly extend time between professional grooms.

3. Keep Coats Shorter

Money Saver: A Cockapoo in a short cut every 8 weeks vs long coat every 6 weeks saves 2-3 grooms yearly = £130-£285

Find Experienced Groomers Near You

Compare prices, read reviews, and book qualified groomers who understand breed-specific needs.

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The Bottom Line

Work with your groomer to find the right schedule for your dog's needs, but don't neglect genuine grooming requirements either.

The sweet spot:

If you're brushing regularly at home, you can push these intervals by 2-4 weeks safely.

If you're not maintaining at home, stick to minimum recommended frequencies.

Your dog's comfort matters more than your wallet. But your wallet matters too. Find the balance that works for both.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I groom my Cockapoo or Labradoodle?

Cockapoos, Labradoodles, and Goldendoodles need professional grooming every 6-8 weeks, plus daily home brushing for 20-30 minutes. Their unpredictable coat genetics and dense undercoats trapped by curly topcoats make them prone to matting. Skipping grooms or home maintenance leads to severe matting that requires shaving. Annual grooming costs are typically £520-£880.

How often do short-haired dogs need grooming?

Short-haired dogs like Boxers, Staffies, Beagles, and French Bulldogs need professional grooming every 12-16 weeks or as needed. Their natural oils distribute well and they require minimal maintenance compared to long-coated breeds. Weekly brushing at home with a rubber mitt is usually sufficient between professional grooms. Annual grooming costs range from £90-£300.

How often should wire-coated dogs be hand-stripped?

Wire-coated breeds like Terriers, Schnauzers, and Wire Fox Terriers need hand-stripping every 8-12 weeks. Dead hair must be stripped rather than clipped to maintain the proper coat texture. Clipping instead of stripping eventually changes the coat to a softer, duller texture that loses its weather-resistant properties. Hand-stripping is a specialist skill - expect to pay £60-£100 per session.

Can I extend the time between grooming appointments?

Yes, regular home brushing can extend time between professional grooms by 2-4 weeks. Use the right brush for your dog's coat type, maintain a consistent daily routine of 5-15 minutes, and focus on mat-prone areas like armpits, behind ears, groin, and the collar line. Keeping your dog's coat shorter also helps extend grooming intervals. However, high-maintenance breeds like Poodles and Doodles still need regular professional attention.

What are the signs my dog needs grooming urgently?

Book a groomer immediately if you notice: matting anywhere on the body (even small mats), nails touching the ground, dirty or smelly coat, visible discharge from ears, worsening tear staining, difficulty walking due to matted fur, or constant scratching. These signs indicate you've waited too long and your dog may be uncomfortable or at risk of skin problems.

How often should a Golden Retriever or Labrador be groomed?

Golden Retrievers need professional grooming every 8-10 weeks due to their heavy seasonal shedding and feathered coat on legs and tail. Labradors can go slightly longer at 10-12 weeks. Both breeds benefit from weekly brushing at home (daily during shedding season) and professional deshedding treatments during their twice-yearly coat blowouts. Annual grooming costs range from £250-£630.

Do Poodles really need grooming every 6 weeks?

Yes, Poodles genuinely need professional grooming every 6-8 weeks because their hair grows continuously like human hair. Without regular trimming, Poodle coats become matted, uncomfortable, and unsanitary. Daily home brushing for 10-15 minutes is also essential. You cannot safely extend Poodle grooming intervals without risking serious matting that requires complete shaving.

How much does dog grooming cost per year by breed?

Annual grooming costs vary significantly by breed. High-maintenance breeds like Shih Tzus cost £520-£1,040, Cockapoos and Doodles £520-£880, and Poodles £450-£800. Medium-maintenance breeds like Cocker Spaniels cost £300-£500 and Golden Retrievers £275-£630. Low-maintenance breeds like Staffies and Beagles cost £90-£270 annually. These costs assume following recommended grooming frequencies.

About the Author

FindPetGroomers.co.uk Editorial Team

Our editorial team researches and verifies grooming industry standards, costs, and best practices to help UK pet owners make informed decisions about their pets' care.

Note: This guide is for informational purposes. Individual grooming needs vary. Consult with a professional groomer or veterinarian for advice specific to your pet's health and temperament.