Once you've chosen the right brush, there's another question:

How often should you actually brush your dog?

Every day?

Once a week?

Only when the couch starts disappearing under fur?

There isn't one universal answer.

The right frequency depends on the dog's breed, coat type, shedding level, and tendency to mat.

Here's a practical starting point.

1. Short-Haired Dogs

Examples:

Pugs, Beagles, French Bulldogs, Dobermans, Labradors

Normal routine:

1–2 times per week

If your dog sheds heavily, such as many Labradors, you can increase this to:

2–3 times per week.

During periods of heavier seasonal shedding, you can brush more frequently based on how much loose hair you're seeing.

The important thing is not to keep scraping the skin just because the brush is still picking up hair.

2. Long-Haired Dogs

Examples:

Yorkshire Terriers, Papillons, Shetland Sheepdogs, Rough Collies

Normal routine:

Daily brushing is ideal.

If daily grooming isn't realistic, aim for:

At least every other day.

Why so often?

Because long hair can tangle quickly, particularly around:

• Ears
• Armpits
• Legs
• Belly
• Tail

A small knot today can become a painful mat tomorrow.

And once a mat becomes severe, you may need professional grooming to remove it safely.

So for long-haired dogs:

Consistency beats marathon grooming sessions.

3. Double-Coated Dogs

Examples:

Golden Retrievers, Corgis, Huskies, Samoyeds, German Shepherds

Normal routine:

About 3–4 times per week

During heavy shedding:

Daily brushing is often more practical.

If your dog is shedding particularly heavily, you may even do a short grooming session once or twice a day.

But you don't need to spend a long time brushing every session.

A short, consistent routine is often easier on both you and your dog.

4. Curly-Coated Dogs

Examples:dog grooming routine

Poodles, Bichon Frises, Portuguese Water Dogs

Recommended routine:

Daily brushing or at least every other day

The goal isn't simply to remove loose hair.

It's to prevent the coat from becoming tangled.

Pay particular attention to:

• Ears
• Armpits
• Belly
• Legs
• Tail

These areas can develop mats surprisingly quickly.

Coat Type	Examples	Normal Frequency	Heavy Shedding / High-Maintenance Period
Short-haired	Pug, Beagle, French Bulldog	1–2×/week	2–3×/week or as needed
Long-haired	Yorkie, Papillon, Sheltie	Daily	Daily
Double-coated	Golden Retriever, Corgi	3–4×/week	Daily
Thick double coat	Husky, Samoyed, German Shepherd	3–4×/week	Daily
Curly-coated	Poodle, Bichon	Daily or every other day	Maintain frequent brushing
Wire-haired	Schnauzer, Westie	2–3×/week	Based on grooming needs

 

These are starting points, not strict rules.

Your dog's coat will tell you a lot.

If your dog starts developing tangles between grooming sessions:

Brush more often.

If your dog becomes uncomfortable or the skin looks irritated:

Change the tool or technique.

And if your dog suddenly starts shedding dramatically more than usual:

Don't automatically assume it just needs more brushing.

Look for other changes.