Course 03 · Brushing and Combing · Lesson 5 of 12
How often should each coat type be brushed?
Brushing frequency follows coat type and season: weekly for short coats, several times a week for double and wavy coats, every few days for curly and long coats, and daily during heavy shedding.
Brushing frequency follows coat type, length, lifestyle and season, with short coats needing weekly brushing, double and wavy coats needing several sessions a week, and curly and long coats needing brushing every few days. During heavy shedding, double coats may need daily brushing. These are starting points, not fixed rules, and the coat should decide the final frequency. A coat that mats between sessions needs more frequent brushing, while a coat that stays tangle free may need less. Lifestyle matters too, since a dog that swims, walks through mud or wears a harness will need more frequent checks. The schedule should be tried for a few weeks, noted, and adjusted according to what the coat and the dog show.
How often should short and smooth coats be brushed?
Short, smooth coats usually need brushing once a week, rising to several times a week during heavy shedding periods. The session is short, with a bristle brush or rubber tool, followed by a comb check and a skin look-over. Because short coats rarely mat, the main purpose is removing loose hair, spreading oils and checking skin. A short coat that sheds heavily may benefit from more frequent brushing, but over-brushing with a harsh tool can irritate skin, so pressure should stay light. If a short coat develops flaking, redness or patchy hair loss, brushing frequency is not the answer, and a vet check is needed. Weekly brushing, done well, is enough for most short-coated dogs.
How often should double coats be brushed?
Double coats usually need brushing several times a week, rising to daily during spring and autumn shedding, when loose undercoat is released in large amounts. Each session should work in sections and finish with a comb check, since surface brushing leaves packed undercoat behind. During a heavy shed, a bath followed by full drying can help release loose hair, but brushing remains the main tool. A double coat that is brushed only weekly during shedding will usually develop packed undercoat, which is harder to remove and can lead to mats. The owner should watch for tufts of loose undercoat, a dull appearance, or a comb that snags, all of which signal that frequency should rise. After shedding eases, frequency can fall back to several times a week.
How often should curly, wavy and long coats be brushed?
Curly coats usually need brushing every few days, because curls trap shed hair and tangles form unseen inside the coat. Wavy coats usually need brushing several times a week, with extra attention to friction points. Long, silky coats usually need brushing every few days, and daily for coats that tangle quickly or for active dogs. Wiry coats usually need brushing several times a week, with attention to furnishings and debris. In each case, the comb check decides whether frequency is enough, since a coat that passes a comb check is being brushed often enough, and a coat that snags is not. Puppies and older dogs may need shorter, more frequent sessions rather than longer ones, and the schedule should flex with season and lifestyle.
How do you build a frequency that actually holds?
Build a frequency that fits real life, since a plan that demands daily hour-long sessions will fail. Choose set days, keep sessions short, and pair brushing with a calm time of day when the dog is relaxed. Note what actually happens, including tangles found and the dog reaction, and review after three or four weeks. If mats appear, increase frequency for the affected areas first, rather than doubling the whole routine. If the dog dreads sessions, shorten them and rebuild gradually. If the coat stays tangle free and the comb passes easily, the frequency is right. A schedule that holds, even if it is less frequent than ideal, is better than an ambitious schedule that is abandoned after a week.
What does a workable schedule look like?
| Coat type | Usual brushing | During heavy shedding | | Short and smooth | Weekly | Several times a week | | Double | Several times a week | Daily, in sections | | Curly | Every few days | Every few days, comb check every time | | Wavy | Several times a week | Several times a week, friction points | | Long and silky | Every few days | Every few days, daily if tangling | | Wiry or harsh | Several times a week | Several times a week, furnishings checked |
When should you stop and get help?
Get groomer help if mats form despite the recommended frequency, if the coat needs clipping or shaping, or if brushing causes pain. Get vet help for sudden, patchy or sore coat change, pain, bleeding, red or discharging ears, wounds or lumps. Do not increase brushing force to compensate for a coat that is matting, and do not use blade tools without hands-on training. Frequency is a maintenance tool, and a coat that cannot be kept tangle free at home needs professional assessment, not more forceful brushing.
Frequency is a starting point that the coat then corrects, and the owner who watches the comb, the tangles and the dog will usually find the right rhythm within a few weeks.
Further reading
- American Kennel Club, grooming guidance
- RSPCA, pet care guidance
- PDSA, dog care guidance