If you’ve ever wondered, “How often should my dog be groomed?”, you’re not alone. The answer depends on your dog’s breed, coat type, lifestyle, and the haircut you prefer.
Some dogs can go several months between professional grooming appointments, while others need to visit a groomer every 4–6 weeks to stay comfortable, healthy, and mat-free.
At The Royal Groomery, a local Murrells Inlet dog groomer, we believe grooming is about much more than making your dog look great. Regular grooming helps keep your dog comfortable, supports good coat and skin health, and allows you to stay ahead of mats, overgrown nails, and other common grooming problems.
Whether you’re looking for dog grooming in Murrells Inlet, SC, or you’re visiting us from Surfside Beach, Garden City, Myrtle Beach, or another nearby Grand Strand community, this guide can help you determine how often your dog should be groomed.
Why Is Regular Dog Grooming Important?
Regular grooming isn’t just about a fresh haircut.
Professional dog grooming can help:
- Prevent painful mats and tangles
- Keep your dog’s coat clean and manageable
- Remove loose hair and excess undercoat
- Keep nails at a comfortable length
- Keep ears clean and easier to monitor
- Remove dirt, debris, and buildup
- Keep your dog more comfortable
- Help your dog become comfortable with regular grooming
A consistent grooming schedule can also make the grooming process much easier for your dog.
A dog who visits a professional dog groomer regularly is generally easier to maintain than a dog who goes many months between appointments and arrives with severe tangles or matting.
Dog Grooming Frequency by Breed and Coat Type
There isn’t one grooming schedule that works for every dog. Your dog’s coat type is often more important than its breed when determining how frequently it needs professional grooming.
Here’s a general guide to help you get started.
Doodles: Every 4–6 Weeks
Goldendoodles, Labradoodles, Bernedoodles, Aussiedoodles, and other doodle mixes typically require some of the most consistent professional grooming.
Their curly or wavy coats can mat quickly, especially around the ears, legs, armpits, tail, and collar area.
Recommended professional grooming: Every 4–6 weeks
If you prefer your doodle to stay longer and fluffy, appointments may be needed closer to every 4 weeks. Shorter haircuts may allow you to stretch appointments toward 6 weeks.
Regular brushing at home is extremely important between professional grooming appointments.
Doodle grooming tip
If you have a doodle, don’t wait until the coat looks tangled before brushing. Mats can form underneath the surface where they’re difficult to see.
A consistent grooming schedule combined with proper at-home brushing is the best way to keep your doodle’s coat soft, healthy, and comfortable.
If you’re looking for doodle grooming in Murrells Inlet, your groomer can also help you choose a haircut that fits your dog’s lifestyle and how much maintenance you’re able to do at home.
Shih Tzus, Maltese & Yorkies: Every 4–6 Weeks
Small breeds with continuously growing hair generally benefit from regular professional grooming.
Shih Tzus, Maltese, Yorkies, and similar breeds can develop tangles quickly, particularly around the face, legs, ears, and belly.
Recommended professional grooming: Every 4–6 weeks
If you prefer a longer hairstyle, you’ll likely need more frequent brushing and grooming.
Poodles: Every 4–6 Weeks
Poodles have beautiful curly coats that don’t shed in the same way many other breeds do. Instead, loose hair can become trapped in the coat and contribute to tangling and matting.
Recommended professional grooming: Every 4–6 weeks
Whether you prefer a traditional poodle style or a simple, easy-to-maintain trim, regular grooming appointments can make a big difference.
Golden Retrievers: Every 6–8 Weeks
Golden Retrievers don’t typically need a full haircut, but they still benefit from professional grooming.
Regular bathing, brushing, nail care, ear cleaning, and appropriate trimming can help keep your Golden Retriever comfortable and looking their best.
Recommended professional grooming: Every 6–8 weeks
During heavy shedding seasons, your dog may benefit from an additional deshedding appointment.
Labrador Retrievers: Every 6–8 Weeks
Labs are relatively low-maintenance when it comes to haircuts, but they can certainly produce a lot of loose fur!
Professional bathing and deshedding can help remove loose undercoat and keep the coat clean and manageable.
Recommended professional grooming: Every 6–8 weeks
Nail trims may be needed more frequently depending on your dog’s activity level and lifestyle.
German Shepherds: Every 6–8 Weeks
German Shepherds have a dense double coat that can shed heavily.
They generally don’t need their coat shaved. Instead, professional bathing, brushing, and deshedding can help remove loose undercoat while maintaining the natural coat.
Recommended professional grooming: Every 6–8 weeks
Regular brushing at home is particularly helpful during heavy shedding seasons.
Huskies & Other Double-Coated Breeds: Every 6–8 Weeks
Siberian Huskies, Malamutes, Australian Shepherds, and other double-coated breeds can produce an impressive amount of loose fur.
Professional grooming can help remove excess undercoat while keeping the natural structure of the coat intact.
Recommended professional grooming: Every 6–8 weeks, with additional deshedding as needed.
Should double-coated dogs be shaved?
Generally, double-coated breeds should not be shaved simply because they shed or because the weather is warm. Their coats provide natural protection for their skin and help regulate temperature.
A professional groomer can help you determine the best way to manage your dog’s coat.
Cocker Spaniels: Every 6–8 Weeks
Cocker Spaniels have coats that can become tangled, especially around their ears, legs, belly, and feathering.
Recommended professional grooming: Every 6–8 weeks
Their long ears also benefit from regular attention and cleaning.
Pomeranians: Every 6–8 Weeks
Pomeranians have thick double coats that require regular brushing and maintenance.
Recommended professional grooming: Every 6–8 weeks
A professional bath, blow-dry, brush-out, nail trim, and tidy-up can help keep their coat looking beautiful without unnecessarily removing the protective double coat.
Short-Haired Breeds: Every 8–12 Weeks
Dogs such as Beagles, Boxers, Great Danes, and many other short-coated breeds typically don’t need haircuts.
That doesn’t mean they never need professional grooming!
Professional baths, nail trims, ear cleaning, and deshedding can still be beneficial.
Recommended professional grooming: Every 8–12 weeks, or as needed.
Dogs who spend a lot of time outdoors, swim frequently, or shed heavily may benefit from more frequent appointments.
What About Puppy Grooming?
Starting grooming early can help your puppy learn that grooming is a normal part of life.
Puppies don’t necessarily need a full haircut right away. Early grooming visits can focus on getting them comfortable with:
- Being on a grooming table
- Having their feet handled
- Hearing clippers and dryers
- Having their face touched
- Nail trimming
- Bathing
- Brushing
Your Murrells Inlet dog groomer can recommend an appropriate grooming schedule based on your puppy’s breed, coat, age, and individual needs.
The goal is to make grooming a positive experience from the beginning.
How Do You Know Your Dog Needs a Groom?
Sometimes your dog will tell you!
It may be time to schedule a professional grooming appointment if you notice:
- Mats or tangles
- A strong odor
- Excessive shedding
- Overgrown nails
- Hair covering the eyes
- Dirty ears
- A coat that feels greasy or difficult to brush
- Dirt or debris collecting around the feet or sanitary areas
And if brushing your dog has become a wrestling match, that’s another good reason to talk with a professional groomer about creating a manageable grooming routine.
How Often Should My Dog Visit a Groomer?
The ideal schedule depends on your individual dog.
A doodle living an active lifestyle near the coast may need a very different grooming routine than a short-haired Chihuahua who spends most of the day indoors.
Your dog’s:
- Breed
- Coat type
- Haircut
- Lifestyle
- Age
- Activity level
- At-home brushing routine
all play a role in determining the right grooming schedule.
The most important thing is consistency.
Regular grooming can help prevent severe matting and make each appointment easier and more comfortable for your dog.
Looking for a Dog Groomer in Murrells Inlet, SC?
At The Royal Groomery, we create grooming routines around the individual dog—not a one-size-fits-all schedule.
Whether you have a doodle that needs regular maintenance, a heavy-shedding double-coated breed, a puppy experiencing their first groom, or a short-haired pup who simply needs a bath and nail trim, we’re here to help.
We’re proud to provide dog grooming in Murrells Inlet, SC, and serve families throughout the surrounding Grand Strand, including Surfside Beach, Garden City, Myrtle Beach, and nearby communities.
If you’re searching for a Murrells Inlet dog groomer who will treat your dog with patience, care, and attention, we’d love to meet your pup.
The Royal Groomery
Murrells Inlet, South Carolina
Where Every Pet Is Treated Like Royalty.
