Although there are grooming tasks that need to be done for all dogs, not all grooming is the same for every dog. This is particularly true when it comes to varying dog coat types. When thinking about length and texture, there can be some overlap, which may affect the perfect grooming routine for an individual dog. General guidelines can help, but you want to make sure you customize your routine to your specific dog’s needs.

10 Common Types of Dog Coats

If it is kept a positive experience, grooming sessions can help you build a bond with your dog and may even become something they look forward to. Breaking types of dog coats down into general categories across type, texture, and length, here are some different dog coat types and how to care for them:

1. Hairless Dogs

There are many coat types in dogs, including hairless or almost hairless. One of the facts about Chinese Crested Dogs is that they tend to be the most well-known hairless dog breed. But, they are not the only one. If you have a dog that is hairless or almost hairless, you may not need to worry about loose fur, but you still have other grooming considerations.

Instead of brushing to remove loose fur, work out tangles, etc., you need to take good care of your hairless dog’s skin. If they have tufts of hair, you may need to comb them every now and then to keep those areas tangle-free, but most of your coat grooming routine will be focused on skin care.

These dogs usually have sensitive skin, so it’s important to look for gentle dog shampoos and conditioners formulated for sensitive skin. Bathing is also on an occasional as-needed basis as bathing too often can dry out and irritate their skin. You will also need to look into safe lotion for dogs to keep their skin from becoming dry and itchy. There are products available for hairless dog breeds and you can ask your vet for recommendations if you’re not sure where to start.

Even dogs with full coats need protection from the sun; this is only more important for hairless breeds. If you are out in the sun with them, they need clothes and/or sunscreen for dogs to ensure they do not get burned. This is an essential tip for summer dog safety that is important anytime you are out in the sun with your dog.

2. Short Coats

Short dog coat types are close to a dog’s skin. Although smooth types of dog coats are commonly also short, other textures can also be considered short coat types. Short coat types can also range from non-shedding to shedding heavily.

The best grooming routine for short types of dog coats can vary because of this. In general, it’s a good idea to have a soft bristle brush on hand to brush at least a few times a week. Since their hair is close to the skin, a grooming glove can also be useful for collecting loose fur. This also makes it easy to brush them and remove loose fur before bathing, which is a useful dog grooming tip.

Recommended bathing frequency depends on the dog, how sensitive their skin is, how much they shed, how active they are, and the texture of their coat. Depending on these factors, bathing could be only when your dog gets dirty, a few times a year, or every week or two.

3. Medium Coats

Medium-coated dog breeds usually have a coat with fur that is about an inch or so long. Medium-length coat types can be a variety of textures and can be single or double-coated. Because their fur is longer, it is more prone to tangles than short-coated breeds.

As such, they will need to be brushed at least a few times a week if not more. If they have a double coat, they will shed a lot when they blow their coats as the seasons change. In general, a brush and a comb are the minimum. A grooming glove can still be useful for a medium-length dog coat. If they have a double coat, an undercoat rake would also be useful, especially to help with seasonal shedding.

Bathing and professional grooming will depend on the dog and their specific coat type and texture. Some medium-length dog coats require professional grooming every 4-6 weeks while others only require the occasional bath as needed and don’t need to be clipped regularly.

4. Long Coats

Long coats come in a variety of textures. Shedding levels can also vary and these coat types can also be single or double coats. Depending on the dog breed, these coats can be kept in a long clip or clipped shorter into a “puppy cut” or “pet cut”.

In general, long coats tangle easily and require daily brushing to remove tangles and prevent mats from forming. A soft-bristle brush and a comb are necessary grooming tools. Long-coated breeds also generally need professional grooming. Depending on the breed and texture, this could range from monthly to a few times a year.

5. Double Coats

Double-coated dogs tend to have medium or long coats. The textures and shedding levels can vary. Some double-coated breeds need to be brushed daily while others only need brushing a few times a week. Regardless, they will shed very heavily as the seasons change.

During seasonal shedding, it is recommended to increase brushing frequency to every day. A soft-bristled brush, a comb, and an undercoat rake are recommended grooming tools. For the most part, you need to make sure you get a brush all the way through the coat down to the skin at least once a week to remove tangles and loose fur and prevent mats.

Professional grooming recommendations can vary. Some double-coated breeds only need a bath on occasion while others need professional grooming every 4-6 weeks. Although clipping is common in several of the fluffiest dog breeds, their double coats protect them in the winter and keep them cool in the summer.

Unless medically necessary, you do not want to shave a double-coated dog. Their coats can be stripped to help them shed their undercoat, but there are different guidelines for clipping. If you are visiting a groomer, making sure they have experience with double-coated breeds and your dog’s breed is one of the tips for choosing the right dog groomer.

6. Smooth Coats

Smooth coats are often also referred to as short coats because smooth-coated dogs tend to have short fur that is close to the skin. This tends to give smooth-coated dogs a sleek and shiny-looking coat.

Because this coat type is normally short, it is not prone to tangles. However, you will still need to brush your dog regularly to remove loose fur and distribute natural oils throughout their coat. A curry comb or round brush, soft-bristled brush, and grooming glove are usually good dog grooming brushes to have on hand.

In general, brushing weekly or a few times a week is usually enough for most smooth-coated dogs. Although this coat type doesn’t usually shed as much as a double coat does when seasons change, it will still shed more than usual during seasonal changes. Upping brushing frequency to a few times a week or even daily during these times can be helpful.

Bathing a smooth-coated dog is generally on an as-needed basis. They don’t have a fluffy coat that needs to be shampooed or clipped regularly. An occasional bath can help keep them clean and their coat looking healthy, but you also want to avoid bathing too often to keep from irritating your dog’s skin. Brushing them before bathing and not bathing them too often are dog bathing tips that can help make the process easier.

7. Silky Coats

The silk dog coat type tends to be long and silky fur that requires a lot of maintenance to keep healthy and looking great. Even if a long-coated dog is low or non-shedding, they will still require daily brushing for their coat to stay tangle-free and mat-free.

A pin brush and a comb are the minimum recommendations. Some silky-coated breeds can be clipped short into a “puppy cut” or “pet cut”. Either way, they will need regular grooming to keep their coat looking its best.

8. Curly, Wavy, or Fleece Coats

Curly coats, also sometimes called wavy or fleecy coats, can range from tight curls to softer, more open waves. The type of curl and curl pattern will vary from dog to dog. In general, curly-coated dogs are low or non-shedding. But, they also tend to require a lot of grooming.

Because their coat is particularly prone to tangles and mats, daily brushing is recommended. A pin brush can be helpful, but you will definitely want some dog combs on hand that allow you to get deep into the coat and also to gently work out tangles. It’s also important to use a conditioning spray before brushing as this can help prevent breakage.

Clipping and bathing for many curly-coated breeds, even if they are low or non-shedding, is usually recommended every 4-6 weeks or 4-8 weeks. The recommended cut and schedule depend on the dog, your preferred style, and more. It is also recommended, for all dogs in general, to bathe them less in winter if you can. This is one of the winter dog grooming tips that can help keep their skin and hair from getting too dry.

9. Wire Coats

Wire coats tend to be short and medium-length. On wirehaired or wire-coated dogs, the fur is rough and a little wild-looking. On some breeds, it can stick out like a base case of bedhead, but often gives those dogs a rugged, yet still elegant appearance.

A brush and a comb can be useful for this type of dog coat, but it will also need to be hand-stripped. Hand stripping removes excess fur in a wirehaired dog’s coat by hand. When it’s time, you use your fingers to manually pull out the old fur, which allows the new coat to grow in. If you’re not comfortable doing this yourself, you can find a dog groomer that is experienced with wirehaired breeds to do it for you. Bathing is usually on an as-needed basis.

10. Combination Coats

Combination coats tend to combine different lengths and sometimes textures into one coat type. Usually, the combination is a short and smooth coat paired with a long and silky coat. Often, dogs with this coat type have short fur around their faces and the front side of their legs and bodies. The longer hair will often be on their chest and stomach, feathering along the back sides of their legs and tails, and some can even have longer fur on and around their ears.

With this mix of short and long, a soft-bristled brush, pin brush, and comb are good brushes to have on hand. Depending on individual dog coat types, an undercoat rake and a grooming glove can be helpful. Brushing a few times a week if not daily brushing is recommended to make sure tangles are removed regularly and mats do not form.

Clipping and bathing will depend on the dog. Like several other types of dog coats, some coats within this category may require more frequent bathing and clipping than others. The recommendations can also change based on skin sensitivities, allergies, and activities of individual dogs.

Create the Best Grooming Routine For Your Dog’s Coat Type

Coat types in dogs can help you determine the grooming level of a puppy and these are just a few common dog coat types and how to care for them. There can be categories that overlap and other factors that affect the best grooming routine for your dog, but knowing how to care for each can help you get the right types of dog grooming brushes and create the best routine for your dog.

What’s important is determining their coat type, or types, and individual factors to create the best grooming routine that will keep them comfortable and their coat healthy and looking great. If you’re not sure what’s best for your dog, your vet and an experienced dog groomer can help you.