How Often Should You Really Get Your Dog Groomed?

If there is one grooming question we hear all the time, it's this:

How often does my dog actually need to be groomed?

The answer is not exactly satisfying: it depends.

But it really does.

Some dogs do best on a four-week grooming schedule. Others are perfectly fine going six or eight weeks. Some need regular haircuts. Others never need a haircut at all, but somehow still manage to leave enough fur around the house to create an entirely new dog.

The right grooming schedule depends on your dog's breed, coat type, haircut, lifestyle, shedding, age and what you're doing at home between appointments.

Here's how we think about it at Woofie's of Columbia.

How Often Should Goldendoodles and Other Doodles Be Groomed?

Most Goldendoodles and other Doodle mixes benefit from professional grooming about every 4 to 8 weeks, depending on their coat type, haircut length and how much brushing is done at home.

And Doodles really do deserve their own section.

We groom a lot of Goldendoodles, Labradoodles, Bernedoodles, Cavapoos and other Poodle mixes, and one thing becomes obvious pretty quickly: the word "Doodle" doesn't tell you nearly enough about the coat.

One Goldendoodle may have a loose, wavy coat that's fairly easy to maintain. Another may have thick, tight curls that tangle if you look at them wrong.

If you love that fluffy teddy-bear look, you'll generally need more frequent grooming and more brushing at home.

And by brushing, we mean brushing all the way through the coat, not just making the top layer look pretty.

The spots behind the ears, under the collar, around the legs, in the armpits and near the tail are especially good at hiding tangles.

A dog can look adorable on the outside and still have matting close to the skin.

That's why we'd much rather help you figure out a realistic grooming schedule early than meet three months later when your Doodle's haircut options have become...limited.

How Often Should Poodles, Shih Tzus, Yorkies and Other Long-Haired Dogs Be Groomed?

That includes breeds such as:

• Poodles
• Shih Tzus
• Yorkshire Terriers
• Maltese
• Bichon Frises
• Havanese
• Lhasa Apsos

The biggest variable is how long you like to keep the coat.

A dog in a short, easy-to-maintain cut can usually go longer between appointments than a dog kept fluffy.

If you're brushing regularly at home and keeping the coat manageable, you may have more flexibility. If brushing isn't exactly anyone's favorite household activity, a shorter haircut and more predictable grooming schedule can make life easier for everyone.

No judgment. We know who usually wins when a dog sees the brush coming.

Do Golden Retrievers, Labs and German Shepherds Need Professional Grooming?

Yes. Dogs that don't need haircuts can still benefit significantly from professional grooming.

Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, Huskies, Australian Shepherds, Corgis and other shedding or double-coated breeds can release an impressive amount of fur.

Anyone who has owned one knows the routine.

You vacuum.

You turn around.

There is somehow more hair.

Professional bathing, drying, brushing and de-shedding can help remove loose coat before quite so much of it ends up on your floors, furniture, clothes and car seats.

These dogs don't necessarily need to follow a strict haircut-style schedule. Some owners book appointments every several weeks, while others schedule grooming more frequently during heavier shedding periods.

The right timing depends on the dog's coat, lifestyle and how much shedding you're willing to live with.

Do Short-Haired Dogs Need to Be Groomed?

Yes. Short-haired dogs may not need haircuts, but they still benefit from bathing, brushing, nail trimming, ear care and removal of loose coat.

Think:

• Beagles
• Boxers
• French Bulldogs
• Boston Terriers
• Pit Bull-type dogs
• Great Danes
• Short-haired mixed breeds

Short hair definitely does not mean no shedding.

And short-haired dogs are just as capable as any other dog of discovering the one muddy, smelly thing in the entire backyard and immediately rolling in it.

Their grooming schedule may be less about hair length and more about shedding, nail growth, skin and coat condition, activity level and, let's be honest, smell.

How Does Your Dog's Lifestyle Affect How Often They Need Grooming?

Active dogs may need grooming more often than dogs who spend most of their time indoors.

Two dogs of the exact same breed can need very different grooming schedules.

One dog may spend weekends hiking, swimming, running through the backyard and investigating every puddle in Howard County.

The other considers walking from the couch to the back door sufficient cardio.

Those dogs probably aren't going to need exactly the same grooming routine.

Outdoor activity can mean more dirt, pollen, debris, tangles and moisture trapped in the coat.

And here in Maryland, our dogs get a little bit of everything: spring pollen and mud, hot humid summers, fall leaves and winter weather.

Your dog's grooming schedule doesn't necessarily have to stay exactly the same all year.

What Are the Signs Your Dog Is Ready for a Groom?

Your dog may be ready for grooming if you're noticing tangles, excess shedding, long nails, odor, dirty or greasy fur, hair growing over the eyes or paws, or a coat that's becoming difficult to brush.

You don't necessarily have to wait until your dog looks obviously overdue.

In fact, keeping dogs on a regular schedule usually makes grooming easier.

A few things to watch for:

• Small mats or tangles starting to form
• More shedding than usual
• Nails getting long
• Hair growing around the eyes or between the paw pads
• A greasy or dirty-feeling coat
• That unmistakable "dog smell"
• Brushing becoming more difficult
• Dirt and debris collecting in the coat

And then there is the emergency category:

"My dog rolled in something."

We understand.

Is Mobile Dog Grooming Better for Nervous or Older Dogs?

Mobile grooming can be a great option for dogs who are nervous around other pets, dislike car rides, are older or have mobility issues, or simply do better in a quieter environment.

Instead of driving to a salon, dropping your dog off and returning later, the grooming salon comes directly to your home.

At Woofie's of Columbia, our fully equipped Mobile Pet Spa pulls up right outside.

Your dog receives one-on-one attention without sitting in a lobby or waiting around with a room full of other pets.

For some dogs, that quieter and more predictable routine makes a big difference.

And for their humans?

Not having to load a reluctant 70-pound dog into the car isn't exactly a downside.

So, Should You Groom Your Dog Every 4, 6 or 8 Weeks?

For many dogs that need regular haircuts, 4 to 8 weeks is a common range, but there is no universal schedule that's right for every pet.

Your ideal schedule depends on:

• Breed
• Coat type
• Coat length
• Preferred haircut
• Shedding
• Activity level
• Brushing at home
• Age and mobility
• Skin and coat condition
• Nail growth
• Your dog's comfort with grooming

A fluffy Doodle may do best every four or six weeks.

Another dog may be completely comfortable at eight weeks.

A short-haired Lab may need an entirely different routine.

The goal isn't to hit some magic number.

The goal is to keep your dog comfortable and their coat manageable before grooming turns into a rescue mission.

Once we've groomed your dog a few times, it's usually much easier to figure out that sweet spot.

Looking for Mobile Dog Grooming in Columbia, MD?

Woofie's of Columbia provides mobile dog grooming throughout Columbia, Ellicott City, Clarksville, Elkridge, Fulton and surrounding communities in Howard County.

If you're not sure whether your dog is due for grooming - or you have absolutely no idea what schedule makes sense - ask us.

We can look at your dog's breed, coat, haircut and current condition and help you figure out a grooming routine that works for both you and your pet.

Because despite what your Golden Retriever may be suggesting, covering the entire house in fur is not actually required.

Ready for a spa day? Give Woofie's of Columbia a howl and we'll bring the Mobile Pet Spa right to your door.