Caring for Your Pet’s Coat

Published: 3/31/26

A dog’s coat is an indicator and driver of their overall health. Adhering to a regular maintenance schedule is important to keep them looking and feeling their best. To do so, it helps to understand how their coat type and lifestyle influence what’s needed. While dogs with fine, curly, or double coats are more prone to mats than other breeds, all breeds need some level of care. Each year, our Fear Free^TM certified Pampered Pets Inn Spa Team provides close to 5,000 baths, haircuts, and trims, providing us an excellent opportunity to see what works and what doesn’t. Our recommendations for each coat type:

Short Coats: Pups with short coats require less maintenance than their fluffier counterparts.

• We recommend a bath at least every 4-6 weeks to wash away dirt or dander and refresh the skin and fur. After shampooing, don’t skip the conditioner, which moisturizes the coat, adding softness and shine.
• While you don’t have to worry about mats or tangles, brushing is still important. A regular weekly brush-out will remove dead, itchy hair, decreasing shedding over time, and spreading natural skin oils throughout the coat to keep it healthy and strong. Use simple, short strokes with the grain of the fur and a light, even pressure. Be careful around sensitive areas, such as face, ears, underbelly, and paws, and always brush from head to tail.
• Curry combs are very effective at removing dead hair and dirt from short-coated dogs. You can use one during bathing as well to help work the shampoo into the coat and provide a bit of a massage.
• Examples: Labs, Bulldogs, Chihuahuas, Boxers, Pugs, and Hounds.

 

Medium/Wire Coats: Pets with medium or wiry coats require a few extra steps to achieve the best results. Some of these breeds also feature double coats. Double-coated dogs have a topcoat and an undercoat of shorter, woolier hairs. The double coat keeps the dog cooler in the summer months and warmer in the wintertime, acting as insulation. The denser the undercoat, the fluffier the dog appears, and the more grooming is required. Double-coats are prone to increased shedding and seasonal blowouts (when the undercoat is released in large clumps due to warmer weather).

• We recommend bathing at least every 4-6 weeks, but if your pup is bearded or likes to swim, consider a more frequent schedule to combat odor.
• De-shed treatments can be especially beneficial during blowout seasons and as a maintenance service to keep excess hair out of your home and off of your clothes.
• Brushing is recommended a few times a week, especially in spring and summer when pets naturally shed more. Dogs with wire hair benefit from coat oil treatments, which are effective at softening and detangling fur.
• Undercoat rakes, which have rounded metal teeth, are very effective in penetrating thick, double, or wire coats to remove dead hair without damaging the topcoat.
• Examples: Huskies, Corgis, German Shepherds, Wire Haired Terriers/Pointers and Wheatons.

 

Long Coats: Long-coated breeds typically have the thickest or curliest hair, and simple routine maintenance can keep the mats and tangles at bay.

• Usually, long-coated dogs require baths more frequently than other breeds, and may also need more deep conditioning treatments to keep hair from drying out at the ends. Our Full Service Baths also include Paw & Pad Hair Trims, to keep their feet looking tidy and their paws from slipping on smooth surfaces like hardwood floors, which is especially helpful for long-coated breeds.
• These dogs require daily brushing to prevent knots and mats, which can quickly become unmanageable and even painful. Seasonal blowouts are expected, and de-shedding brush-outs are extremely helpful in managing the mess.
• Haircuts & Trims. Most long-coated dogs benefit from trimming hair to keep them looking neat. Some dogs, like Poodles, Doodles, and Shih Tzus, benefit from full body haircuts, which can take their coats down to an easy-to-manage length. Double-coated dogs, like Golden Retrievers and Australian Shepherds, benefit from trims such as Coat & Feathers and Sanitary Trims, giving their form a clean look and keeping waste out of their hair.
• The most common type of brush used for these coats is a wire “Slicker” brush, which has fine, tightly spaced wire bristles that can reach the undercoat to remove loose hair or tangles. A metal comb with widely spaced teeth can be used to check for any remaining tangles and ensure the coat is smooth. They are excellent at breaking up small tangles and removing undercoat and shedding hair. A detangler or leave-in conditioner can also be used to make brushing easier.
• Examples: Golden Retrievers, Poodles/Doodles, Australian Shepherds, Collies, Newfoundlands, Spaniels, Schnauzers, and Shih Tzus.

If the coat has more significant mats, they should be shaved out. Trying to brush them out will be painful for your dog, so have a professional groomer attend to them.

Our spa team provides each pet with individualized attention tailored to their coat and needs. They complete many hours of hands-on training with experienced mentors to build their skills and ensure high-quality results. In addition, they use Fear Free^TM techniques to ensure each visit goes smoothly. Schedule a spa appointment with us to help keep your dog looking and feeling great.