How Often Should You Groom Your Dog?
A Season-by-Season Guide
If you've ever wondered whether you're grooming your dog too much — or not enough — you're not alone. Grooming is one of the most common questions US dog owners ask, and the answer isn't the same for every pup. The right grooming schedule depends on your dog's breed, coat type, activity level, and even the season.
In this guide, we'll break down exactly how often to groom your dog throughout the year, what to do in each season, and which tools make the job easier. Whether you're a first-time dog owner or a seasoned pet parent, this guide will help you build a grooming routine your dog will actually enjoy.
Why Grooming Is About More Than Just Looks
Many dog owners think grooming is purely cosmetic, but regular grooming plays a major role in your dog's overall health. Here's what proper grooming actually does:
- Removes dirt, debris, and allergens from the coat
- Prevents painful matting and tangling in longer coats
- Helps you spot skin issues, bumps, or parasites early
- Keeps nails at a healthy length to support joint health
- Reduces shedding around your home
- Strengthens your bond with your dog through touch and routine
Think of grooming as a regular health check for your dog — and the tools you use make a real difference.
👉 Explore our Professional Dog Grooming Collection — brushes, combs, paw care, and more.
The General Grooming Rule by Coat Type
Before diving into seasonal grooming, it helps to know your dog's baseline needs based on coat type:
Short-Coated Dogs (Beagle, Boxer, Labrador)
Brush once a week, bathe every 4–6 weeks. These dogs are the lowest maintenance but still shed regularly.
Medium-Coated Dogs (Golden Retriever, Border Collie, Husky)
Brush 2–3 times per week, bathe every 4 weeks. These breeds shed heavily and need regular attention to prevent tangles.
Long-Coated Dogs (Shih Tzu, Maltese, Afghan Hound)
Daily brushing is ideal, bathe every 2–3 weeks. Without daily brushing, long coats mat quickly and become uncomfortable.
Curly or Wavy Coats (Poodle, Doodles, Bichon Frise)
Brush every 1–2 days, professional trim every 6–8 weeks. Curly coats trap dead hair inside instead of shedding, which means matting is a bigger risk.
Double-Coated Dogs (Husky, German Shepherd, Corgi)
Brush 3–4 times a week during normal periods, daily during shedding season. Never shave a double coat — it can damage natural insulation.
🌸 Spring Grooming (March – May)
Key Focus: Managing heavy shedding season and post-winter coat blowout
Spring is the most demanding grooming season for most dogs. After winter, double-coated and medium-coated dogs go through what's called a 'coat blowout' — they shed their thick winter undercoat in large amounts to prepare for warmer months.
What to do in Spring:
- Increase brushing to daily or every other day for heavy shedders
- Use a deshedding tool or undercoat rake to remove loose undercoat
- Bathe your dog after brushing out the bulk of the loose fur
- Check paws for any cracking or dryness left over from winter salt and cold
- Trim nails — dogs that were less active in winter may need extra attention
Spring Grooming Tip: A slicker brush followed by a fine-tooth comb is the most effective combination for removing spring shedding without irritating your dog's skin.
👉 Shop our Brushes & Combs Collection to find the right deshedding tools for your breed.
☀️ Summer Grooming (June – August)
Key Focus: Keeping your dog cool, clean, and protected during outdoor activities
Summer means more outdoor adventures — hiking, swimming, trips to the dog park — which means a dirtier, sweatier dog. Grooming frequency typically increases in summer because your dog is more active and exposed to more dirt, insects, and heat.
What to do in Summer:
- Bathe every 2–3 weeks, or after particularly muddy outings
- Check paws after every walk — hot pavement can burn paw pads
- Brush regularly to prevent heat-trapping mats
- Consider a summer trim (not a shave) for long-coated dogs
- Check for ticks and fleas after outdoor time — run a fine comb through the coat
- Keep ears dry and clean, especially if your dog swims
Summer Grooming Tip: Apply a dog-safe paw balm to protect pads from hot sidewalks, sand, and dry grass. Paw care is one of the most overlooked parts of summer grooming.
👉 Browse our Paw Care Products to keep those paws healthy all summer long.
🍂 Fall Grooming (September – November)
Key Focus: Preparing the coat for colder months and managing the second shedding season
Fall brings a second, smaller coat blowout as your dog sheds their lighter summer coat and begins growing a denser winter coat. It's also the season when mud, leaves, and debris get tracked inside more frequently.
What to do in Fall:
- Resume 3–4x per week brushing as shedding picks back up
- Check for mats forming around the collar, behind the ears, and under the legs
- Wipe down paws after every outdoor walk to remove dirt and fallen leaves
- Start thinking about winter protection — will your dog need a coat?
- Give a thorough bath before the colder months set in
Fall Grooming Tip: Pay extra attention to the neck and collar area in fall — as your dog's coat thickens, collars can rub and create matting if not checked weekly.
👉 Check out our Walk Essentials Collection including comfortable harnesses and leashes built for all-season walks.
❄️ Winter Grooming (December – February)
Key Focus: Protecting against cold, salt, and dryness while maintaining a healthy coat
Winter grooming is less about shedding and more about protection. Cold air, indoor heating, road salt, and snow can all wreak havoc on your dog's skin and coat during winter months.
What to do in Winter:
- Brush 2–3 times per week to prevent mats in a thickening coat
- Wipe and dry paws after every walk — salt and ice-melting chemicals are toxic if licked
- Apply paw balm before outdoor walks to protect against ice and salt
- Bathe less frequently (every 4–6 weeks) — overbathing strips protective oils in winter
- Use a dog-safe moisturizing conditioner to combat dry skin from indoor heating
- Keep the coat clean and dry — a wet coat in cold weather can make your dog uncomfortable
Winter Grooming Tip: Short-haired breeds and small dogs feel the cold much more intensely. A well-fitted dog coat or sweater is a grooming essential in winter — it keeps your dog warm and their coat clean on walks.
👉 Shop our full Dog Grooming Collection for all your winter care essentials.
Quick Season-by-Season Summary
- Spring: Daily brushing, deshedding tools, paw care check after winter
- Summer: Bathe every 2–3 weeks, tick checks, hot pavement paw protection
- Fall: 3–4x weekly brushing, mat checks, pre-winter bath
- Winter: 2–3x weekly brushing, paw balm before every walk, less frequent baths
5 Grooming Mistakes US Dog Owners Commonly Make
Even experienced pet parents fall into these habits — here's what to watch for:
- Skipping grooming in winter — dogs still shed and mats still form, even in cold weather
- Shaving a double coat — this disrupts natural insulation and can increase sensitivity to heat and cold
- Bathing too frequently — more than once a week strips protective natural oils from the skin
- Ignoring ears and paws — these are the two most commonly neglected areas and also the most prone to infections
- Using the wrong brush — a slicker brush on a double coat won't reach the undercoat; always match your tool to your dog's coat type
Build a Grooming Routine Your Dog Will Love
The best grooming routine is one you can realistically stick to. Start simple: commit to brushing twice a week and a monthly bath, then adjust based on your dog's coat type and the season.
The right tools make grooming faster, gentler, and more effective — for both of you. At The Bluethroat Global, we've hand-selected a range of professional-grade grooming products built for every coat type and every season, shipped free across the USA.
Shop All Grooming Products → thebluethroatglobal.com/collections/grooming
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