All dogs should be groomed, although it is clear that some dogs will need much more than a bath or a brush. For some pet owners, grooming is a daily chore, a health need, and a lifetime of responsibility that comes along with owning the dogs.
Knowledge of dog breeds with specific grooming needs assists future owners in making wise decisions. These breeds are beautiful, loving, and rewarding; however, their skin, coats, ears, and facial structures require professional grooming and constant care, including nail trimming and regular brushing.
These dog breeds will experience painful matting, skin infections, overheating, overgrown nails, and chronic discomfort if they are not properly taken care of through regular trimming. With the proper care, including removing loose hair and fur, the dog’s health will flourish.
This blog describes 7 dog breeds that have high-maintenance or specific grooming requirements, why they have different grooming needs, and what conscientious owners must be ready to get into before adopting one. So let’s dig in!
Dog Breeds with Specialized Grooming Requirements Explained
1. Komondor
Komondor is known for the dramatic white corded coat that can be compared to dreadlocks. Although this canine companion is visually appealing, their coat is one of the most difficult to groom among all the other breeds.
Komondor grooming cannot be done manually, as it does not tangle into clumps like brushing, and instead has to be separated manually to prevent clumping into big knots. Water and dirt are easy to retain and provide an ideal environment for skin infections unless taken care of.
According to some vets, it is uncommon to bathe a Komondor, but it is so time-consuming, since it can take days to have them completely dry.
Unique grooming needs:
Separating cords manually every now and then to ensure coat health
Fine bathing with a mild shampoo and prolonged drying
Constant skin inspection
Using a slicker brush for their coats
Ideal for: Owners who are knowledgeable about breed-specific concerns regarding dog grooming techniques.
2. Cocker Spaniel
People adore Cocker Spaniels because of their silky hair and solemn eyes, yet this double-coated breed requires high-maintenance when it comes to grooming. Their fine hair is easily matted without regular brushing, particularly on the ears, chest, and legs.
If the hair is not trimmed, and the ears are not cleaned on a regular schedule, long, floppy ears block the air in and face a higher risk of ear infections.
Purina also recommends ear care as an important aspect of grooming Cocker Spaniels.
Grooming needs:
Frequent brushing, multiple times a week
Professional grooming and trimming on a regular basis
Routine ear cleaning
Best for: They are a popular choice for first-time owners.
3. Afghan Hound
This furry friend is known for its flowing and silky coat, which is among the most demanding breeds in terms of requiring proper care. Their hair is long, fine, and it gets tangled easily, especially when it is under any friction.
It is necessary to brush every day and regularly groom this long-haired breed as often as every few weeks to keep their coat healthy and to avoid matting in close contact with the skin.
Afghan Hounds cannot be owned by people who do not want to adopt an intensive grooming routine.
Key grooming tips:
Daily brushing for a healthy coat
Showers and the use of special products
Professional grooming assistance
Best for: Experienced owners who like grooming during bonding with their furry friend.
4. Brussels Griffon
The Brussels Griffon, although a small breed, has to be groomed regularly, particularly the rough-coated breeds and double-coated breeds. Their wavy hair enjoys hand-stripping, which kills dead hair to keep the coat and the skin intact and healthy.
The hair on the face around the mouth and eyes should be clean to avoid any irritation and infections, in order to protect the sensitive skin.
According to PetMD, small flat-faced breeds are prone to chronic eye discharge problems due to a lack of care in grooming their facial parts.
Special care includes:
Hand-stripping or ordinary trimming
Facial cleaning
Eye monitoring
Best for: Owners seeking a small companion, specifically in apartment or smaller home settings.
5. Shih Tzu
This long-haired breed possesses hair, not fur, and unlike fur, human hair also grows continuously. Their coat mats swell up and become painful within the shortest time without regular brushing.
Most owners made the choice of a puppy cut to cut down on care, yet even then, one needs to brush Shih Tzus to remove loose hair and have them visit professional groomers.
As AKC notes, daily cleaning of the faces is also necessary for this long-haired breed in order to eliminate tear staining and infections.
Grooming essentials:
Daily brushing or trimming often
Occasional baths
Daily face and eye care
Best for: Owners devoted to coat health and grooming sessions with professionals.
6. Poodle
Poodles are known not to shed a lot, and hence they are misconstrued to be low-maintenance dogs. As a matter of fact, their curly coat traps loose hair and therefore they are very susceptible to being matted without grooming.
They need an excision of their curly coats, which can be best left to professional groomers. Poor grooming will cause skin irritation and heat.
According to VCA, Poodles should be groomed regularly, though they are low-shedding.
Grooming needs:
Regular brushing, more than once a week
Frequent professional clipping
Skin monitoring
Best for: They are ideal family dogs for households with lots going on.
7. Yorkshire Terrier
Although most Terrier breeds are seen as low-maintenance, the Yorkshire Terrier isn’t. This long-haired breed possesses human-like hair. Though it is beautiful, the hair gets entangled easily and needs to be brushed on a daily basis to keep it healthy.
Lack of care in grooming can cause painful mats and skin infections. Most of the owners settle for shorter cuts, yet even in that case, it needs maintenance.
Yorkies are reported to like regular grooming in order to stay cool and healthy in their coats.
Special grooming needs:
Long coat brushing every day
Regular trimming
Skin and hair conditioning
Best for: Owners who are enthusiastic about their grooming process.
Conclusion
Ask yourself before picking the dog with specialized grooming needs:
Do I have the time to groom this breed on a daily or weekly basis?
Am I able to pay for professional grooming in the long run?
Do I want to learn breed-specific care methods?
Grooming neglect is among the most common causes of dog skin and coat problems deemed preventable. You can also choose short-haired dogs for hassle-free grooming.
Different dog breeds with the dog’s specific coat type and their varying coat textures require different levels of care. Some may only require basic grooming, while others may require more frequent brushing and occasional baths in order to keep their coat clean and prevent tangles.
With proper grooming, it improves bonding, health care, and emotional care time. These breeds will make it worth the effort, the responsibility, and the routine, but you have to be ready to endure them.
Taking care of these dog breeds is not an optional burden; it is a necessity!
