Dog groomers distinguish no fewer than thirteen coat types. Dogs can have a double or single coat and long, short, rough, or curly topcoat hair. Each coat type has specific characteristics and requires different care.

Undercoat or Not?

If you want to know what kind of care your dog’s coat needs, it is first important to determine whether your dog has an undercoat. This applies to many breeds, but not all. The fluffy and fine hair of the undercoat should be brushed regularly to prevent it from clumping together or even matting. Generally, it is recommended to brush a dog with an undercoat at least once a week — and daily during shedding season.

Smooth-Haired or Wire-Haired?

The next question to ask yourself is whether your dog has smooth or curly hair, or is wire-haired. Wire-haired dogs such as an Irish Wolfhound or a wire-haired Dachshund require special coat care. Their coat needs to be “hand-stripped” two to four times a year. This is usually done at a grooming salon. In addition, a wire-haired dog — just like dogs with a medium-length coat — should be brushed or combed several times a week.

Short-Haired Dogs

Short-haired dogs with smooth coats usually require the least coat care. If the dog has an undercoat, it is still advisable to brush your pet at least once a week to prevent matting and skin problems. Apart from the biannual shedding period, you generally do not need to do much for the coat of short-haired dogs. Of course, removing sand and dirt is always a good idea.

Long-Haired Dogs

Dogs with long hair require more care. It is advisable to brush or comb long-haired dogs daily. For certain breeds, regular visits to the grooming salon or a bath in the tub are practically unavoidable. In some breeds, such as Poodles, the hair also continues to grow continuously, making regular trimming necessary.