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How often should you brush your dog? A coat type guide

A short-haired dog needs brushing once a week, a long-haired one every day, and curly coats need regular clipping. Find out what your dog's coat needs and how to turn brushing into a pleasant ritual.

Uredništvo Živalce.si Published · Updated
How often should you brush your dog? A coat type guide

Regular brushing is far more than a beauty ritual. It removes dead undercoat, prevents mats, distributes natural skin oils and doubles as the best opportunity to spot ticks, rashes or lumps early. How often you should reach for the brush depends mainly on the coat type.

✅ In short
  • Short coat: once a week with a rubber brush.
  • Double coat with undercoat: 2–3 times a week, daily during shedding season.
  • Long, silky coat: every day.
  • Curly coat: 2–3 times a week + a trim every 6–10 weeks.

Short, smooth coats

Breeds such as the Labrador, Boxer or Whippet have low-maintenance coats but still shed plenty. Brushing once a week with a rubber brush or grooming mitt is enough to collect dead hair while giving the dog a massage.

Double coats with undercoat

German Shepherds, Huskies, Golden Retrievers and most herding breeds carry a dense undercoat that they moult heavily in spring and autumn. During the moult, brush daily with an undercoat tool; otherwise two to three times a week. Never clip a double coat – it protects the dog from both cold and heat.

A Siberian Husky with a dense double coat
Double-coated breeds like the Siberian Husky blow their undercoat twice a year – the brush gets no rest then.

Long, silky coats

The Maltese, Yorkshire Terrier or Shih Tzu need daily brushing, otherwise the coat quickly forms mats that pull at the skin and hurt. A detangling spray helps, and a metal comb lets you check you have reached the skin.

Curly coats

Poodles, Bichons and curly crosses barely shed, which is precisely why their coat tangles constantly. Besides thorough brushing two to three times a week, they need clipping every six to ten weeks, at home or at a groomer.

⚠️ Never cut mats out with scissors A dog's skin is loose and gets pulled into the mat – with ordinary scissors you will almost certainly cut it. Work a stubborn tangle apart in sections with your fingers and a comb, and leave a fully matted coat to a groomer or vet with clippers.

The right tool for every coat type

  • a rubber brush or grooming mitt – short coats, massage and picking up dead hair,
  • an undercoat rake (furminator or similar) – double coats during shedding,
  • a slicker brush – curly and long coats, working through to the skin,
  • a metal comb with wide and narrow teeth – the final check for all coat types,
  • a detangling spray – prevents tearing of silky hair.

All together that is a one-off purchase of €20–40 – far less than a single groomer visit for a matted coat.

Make brushing enjoyable

  • Start in puppyhood with short, calm sessions and treats.
  • Brush in the direction of hair growth; work mats apart with your fingers or a comb, never by force.
  • Use each session to check the skin, ears, eyes and nails.
  • Bathe your dog only when truly dirty – frequent bathing dries out the skin.

You can see how much grooming each breed needs in our breed directory under the “grooming” rating.

💡 Tip Five minutes of brushing after the daily walk is worth more than an hour of struggle once a week – the coat never gets a chance to tangle, and the dog accepts the ritual as an extension of time together.
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Sources and photos
  1. Grooming and Coat Care for Your Dog — VCA Animal Hospitals (accessed: 29.07.2026)
  2. How often should you groom your pet? — PDSA (accessed: 29.07.2026)

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