A dog’s coat quietly tells the story of love, care, and daily effort shared between a pet and its owner. While grooming often goes unnoticed, it’s never something that can be ignored. Every dog breed comes with its own grooming needs, and understanding these differences is a key part of being a responsible and happy pet parent.
Some dogs thrive with a quick weekly brushing and an occasional bath, while others require regular haircuts, frequent brushing, and careful coat management to prevent painful matting. These grooming commitments don’t just affect your dog’s appearance; they shape your daily routine, time management, and even your monthly expenses.
Proper grooming takes consistency, the right tools, and a bit of patience. Life becomes much easier when you match a dog’s grooming needs with your own lifestyle instead of forcing a routine that feels overwhelming.
Let’s explore the grooming demands of different dog breeds and help you understand which ones need a little extra attention.
Fun Fact: Regular brushing can reduce shedding by up to 90% in heavy-shedding breeds. For instance, many Golden Retriever owners notice a dramatic drop in loose fur around the house within just a few weeks of daily brushing compared to before they established a routine.
Dog Breeds and Their Ongoing Grooming Commitments
1. Puli
Affectionate and smart Puli ranks among the long-haired breeds with its distinctive corded coat. They were originally bred as herding dogs as well as guard dogs in Hungary. Though Puli does not shed, but it needs regular grooming to maintain its dense coat.
Puli is a medium-sized dog, with an average life span of 10-15 years. Owing to herding instincts, they always try to herd small children, making obedience training and early socialization important. As an active and smart breed, Puli needs physical and mental stimulation to thrive in households.
Pet parents should be aware of their extensive grooming needs due to double coats that cord naturally. These dogs tend to have this type of fur after 8 to 10 months of their birth. Bath routines should be structured following squeezing and drying; otherwise, it may lead to skin infections.
2. Poodle (Standard)
One of the smartest dog breeds, the Poodle comes in three variable sizes (standard, miniature, and toy) in black, apricot, and white colors. Poodles make excellent companion dogs for families and singles. Moreover, their curly coats do not shed much, and they are called hypoallergenic dogs.
Originally, they were bred as hunting dogs to retrieve waterfowl and ducks. That’s why these water dogs love swimming and other dog sports, including hunting and agility, in all seasons. In this context, this high-maintenance dog breed is an ideal option for an active lifestyle.
Poodle bonds closely with their favorite ones and train easily, thanks to their loyal and eager-to-please nature. To make it a relatively low-maintenance dog breed, you can trim its coat shorter. With that said, this breed needs frequent grooming, regular brushing, and a weekly bath, says AKC.
3. Shih tzu
Little lion dogs, the Shih Tzu is an Asian Dog breed and also remained one of the favorites of Chinese royalty. This small dog breed is celebrated for its long, silky coat that has two layers and grows fast, which means it demands constant attention.
Lively and loving Shih Tzu adapts itself according to the lifestyle it is provided with. Whether it’s a laid-back home or an outgoing family, a Shih Tzu fits seamlessly into any of them. They are adorable and friendly dogs towards people of all ages and make a fine choice for first-time dog owners.
The smooth fur of this long-haired breed sheds minimally, which needs trimming and daily brushing to keep it shiny and healthy. Moreover, routine professional grooming should be considered before opting Shih tzu. To cut down the money expense, you can groom your Shih Tzu into a short coat with different styles.
4. Maltese
Single-layered and luxurious coat of the Maltese is definitely a show stopper. This small white dog breed has a long and old history as a lap dog with a charming and gentle temperament. The credit for their elegant looks, effortless gait, and popularity goes to their long, silky, straight coat.
Regardless of their aristocratic disposition, these pint-sized dogs are very adaptable for apartment living. The Maltese coat does not have minimal grooming requirements, as regular brushing and a weekly bath, which is a must, alongside visits to a groomer once a month.
This tiny breed bonds deeply with its family and does not enjoy alone time for long, otherwise it develops separation anxiety, as mentioned by PetMD. Though they do not have a serious amount of exercise needs, but to avoid destructive behaviors, mental engagement with daily walks is necessary.
5. Yorkshire Terrier
Nicknamed as Yorkies, the Yorkshire terrier is famous for its floor-length, blue and tan golden colored coat. Before becoming the lap dogs of Victorian ladies, these dogs were used to work in mines and mills to catch rodents. Today. Yorkies are proud homebodies who love play, lounging, and their humans the most.
These little dogs have hair that looks similar to humans with minimal shedding but fast growth. If pet parents keep this dog long-haired, routine brushing, bathing, and checking for ear infections are mandatory to keep the coat healthy.
Regardless of small stature, Yorkshires have a bit high dose of energy which should be channeled well via mental and physical stimulation. According to PDSA, daily exercise, whether it’s walks or agility, and play sessions with their favorite ones, with a duration of 30 to 45 minutes, keeps their bodies and brains fit.
6. Cocker Spaniel
Cocker Spaniel is a happy-go-lucky dog who is endowed with big expressive eyes, long ears, and a stunning long coat. Back in the past, these dogs used to do hunts of birds in Spain, and currently, with high intelligence, they are serving as detecting dogs, therapy dogs, and, of course, great family pets.
Cockers have a sturdy and balanced body, allowing them to excel in agility, while their beautiful coat also comes in 18 standard colors. Due to long ears, they are also prone to ear infections without careful handling. They are high maintenance dog breed, as they shed a lot in shedding seasons.
This sporting breed has high energy levels, and their physical activities consist of hunting, agility, and hiking, making them great dogs for outdoor fun. Sensitive yet people-pleasing dog, the Cocker spaniel responds well to training challenges with positive reinforcement methods.
7. Afghan Hound
The flowing coat of the Afghan hound not only served to beautify them but also protected them from harsh climates and different elements in the environment. Although this powerful and agile hound is cherished for its eye-catching coat, it is also an epitome of loyalty and affection.
Regardless of being a high-maintenance dog breed, in puppyhood, they have a short and fuzzy coat with minimal grooming needs. But the adult dogs’ coat needs regular brushing to remove loose hair, bathing, nail trimming, and dental cleansing as well.
Afghan hound is also known for being the gentle giant of the canine world. One with the right lifestyle can experience a wonderful companionship with this breed. They are not prone to excessive barking, but may chase small animals and stay aloof with strangers and other unfamiliar dogs.
Conclusion
Any dog breed in the house needs ample attention and responsible dog ownership. The mentioned ones demand some special care and grooming routines to have their best years with health and happiness. A structured routine in the dogs’ lives not only soothes them but also the pet parents without creating any mess in the home.
There are many larger breeds that are heavy shedders and need lots of patience and care from their owners, which means a lot of time to spend on their grooming. To have a memorable and stress-free companionship with your furry friends, a thoughtful choice according to your lifestyle is mandatory.
