How often your dog needs grooming depends on three things: their breed, their coat type, and their lifestyle. There’s no universal schedule that works for every dog — but there are clear guidelines based on what groomers see every day.
By Coat Type
- Short-coated breeds (Beagles, Boxers, Labs) — every 8-12 weeks for a bath and nail trim. Low maintenance, but still benefits from professional cleaning and nail care.
- Medium double-coated breeds (Huskies, Golden Retrievers, Shepherds) — every 6-8 weeks. Seasonal shedding makes professional de-shedding treatments worth it, especially in spring and fall.
- Long-coated breeds (Yorkies, Maltese, Shih Tzus) — every 4-6 weeks. Hair grows continuously and mats quickly, especially around ears, armpits, and paws.
- Curly or wavy-coated breeds (Poodles, Doodles, Portuguese Water Dogs) — every 4-6 weeks. Curly coats don’t shed normally — dead hair stays in the coat and causes matting without regular professional grooming.
Lifestyle Factors That Affect Frequency
- Dogs who swim or spend time outdoors need more frequent baths
- Dogs with skin conditions may need medicated baths on a veterinarian-recommended schedule
- Senior dogs often need more frequent nail trims as their activity level decreases
Schedule Your Suffolk County Appointment
Long Island Mobile Pet Grooming serves Suffolk County — Huntington, Smithtown, Bay Shore, Hauppauge, Commack, and surrounding communities. Contact us to discuss your dog’s breed and set up a grooming schedule that keeps them comfortable year-round.
