How Often Should You Brush Your Dog? Coat-by-Coat Guide

How often you should brush a dog depends almost entirely on their coat type. As a rough rule: long and curly coats need daily brushing, double coats need a few times a week (and daily during a moult), and short, smooth coats are happy with a weekly once-over. Brushing isn't just about looks. It removes loose hair, spreads natural oils and lets you spot lumps, ticks and sore spots early.

Here's the breakdown by coat, with the kit that actually suits each.

Long-haired coats: daily

Long, silky coats, think Yorkies, Shih Tzus and setters, tangle and mat alarmingly fast. A few minutes of daily brushing keeps knots from forming, because a mat left to set has to be cut out, which is uncomfortable and unsightly. Work in sections from the skin outwards, not just over the surface, since mats often start hidden underneath.

For these coats, a slicker brush followed by a comb works best. If you do hit a stubborn knot, a dematting comb teases it apart far more kindly than dragging at it with a slicker.

Curly and wool coats: daily to every other day

Poodles, doodles and Bichons have coats that keep growing and trap shed hair instead of dropping it, which is exactly why they mat so readily. Brush right down to the skin daily or every other day, paying special attention to friction points: behind the ears, the armpits, the collar line and the back legs. These coats also need regular professional clipping every few weeks to stay manageable.

A quality slicker is non-negotiable here. Browse our dog grooming brushes to find one sized to your dog.

Double coats: a few times a week, daily when moulting

Double-coated breeds, like Labradors, Huskies, German Shepherds and Border Collies, have a soft undercoat beneath coarser guard hairs. Most of the year, brushing two or three times a week keeps shedding under control. During the big seasonal moults in spring and autumn, though, daily brushing is the only thing standing between you and a house full of fur.

This is where a deshedding tool earns its keep, reaching down to pull out the loose undercoat. Our deshedding brushes are made for exactly this job. Importantly, never shave a double coat, as it protects against both heat and cold and often grows back patchy.

Short and smooth coats: weekly

Beagles, Boxers, Staffies and similar short-haired dogs are the easy ones. A weekly brush is plenty to lift loose hair and keep the coat glossy, though a quick going-over during their lighter moult helps. The bonus with these breeds is that grooming doubles as bonding time rather than a chore.

Many short-coated dogs love a rubber grooming glove, which feels more like a massage than brushing. Our grooming gloves are ideal for nervous dogs and gentle enough for everyday use.

Make every brush a health check

Whatever the coat, treat brushing as a chance to run your hands over your whole dog. Feel for new lumps, scabs or sore patches, check ears and paws, and look for ticks and fleas, especially after walks. Catching a problem early often saves a bigger vet bill later, and your dog gets used to being handled all over, which makes vet visits easier too.

The brush is a grooming tool and a health monitor in one. The owner who brushes regularly is usually the first to notice when something's not right.

If you find a matted, sore or angry-looking patch of skin you can't safely sort yourself, leave it to your vet or groomer rather than risk nicking the skin.

The short version

Match the frequency to the coat: daily for long and curly, several times a week for double coats (daily in moulting season), and weekly for short coats. The right brush makes all the difference. To choose one, see our Best Slicker Brush for Dogs: UK Buyer's Guide, and if you're torn between tools, Deshedding Brush vs Grooming Glove: Which Is Better? compares the two head to head. You'll find everything in our health and grooming range.