Quick answer: Regular grooming keeps your dog comfortable, healthy, and easier to live with. A simple at-home routine of brush, comb, ears, eyes, nails, and bath every 1 to 2 weeks handles most short and medium coats. Double coats, curly coats, wire coats, and any matted, anxious, or hand-stripping breed are best left to a professional groomer every 6 to 8 weeks.
Why grooming matters
Grooming is not just about how a dog looks. It is one of the clearest early-warning systems an owner has for skin, ear, nail, and coat problems. The RSPCA dog grooming advice is built around the same idea: regular brushing and checking finds ticks, lumps, sore patches, and ear infections before they become expensive vet visits.
A few minutes every week also reduces shedding around the house, keeps your dog's skin aired, and makes the trip to a professional groomer faster and cheaper because the coat is already in good condition. For puppies, short, gentle grooming sessions are one of the best ways to build confidence around being handled.
Understand your dog's coat first
Before you reach for a brush, work out what type of coat your dog has. Coat type drives everything else: tool choice, brushing frequency, whether you can cut at home, and whether a professional groomer is essential.
The main coat types you will meet in the UK:
- Smooth coat. Short, flat, single layer. Examples: Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Whippet, Pug. Brush once a week with a soft bristle brush or rubber curry comb.
- Double coat. Soft, dense undercoat with a coarser topcoat. Examples: Border Collie, Golden Retriever, Labrador, Husky. Never shave a double coat. Use an undercoat rake weekly and a slicker brush for the topcoat.
- Long, silky coat. Long, fine hair that mats easily. Examples: Cocker Spaniel, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Yorkshire Terrier. Daily brushing with a pin brush plus a weekly comb-through.
- Curly or wavy coat. Low-shedding but mat-prone. Examples: Cockapoo, Labradoodle, Goldendoodle, Bichon Frise. Slicker brush and metal comb weekly, professional groom every 6 to 8 weeks.
- Wire coat. Harsh, bristly outer coat with a soft undercoat. Examples: Wire Fox Terrier, many Schnauzers, some Spaniels. Coat must be hand-stripped, not clipped, to keep its texture. A professional job.
- Hairless. Examples: Chinese Crested, American Hairless Terrier. Skin care, not coat care. Wipe down, moisturise, and use sunblock on hot days.
The AKC dog grooming guide and the RSPCA dog health pages both have breed-specific advice if you are not sure where your dog fits.
The 6-step home grooming routine
A basic routine you can do in 15 to 20 minutes covers most dogs. Run through the steps in order so each one prepares the next.
1. Brush
Start with a brush suited to the coat. A slicker brush works for most medium and long coats. An undercoat rake is essential for double coats. Brush in the direction of hair growth, then against it to lift dead hair. For a long or curly coat, work in small sections so you can see down to the skin.
2. Comb
A metal comb catches what a brush misses, especially behind the ears, in the armpits, and around the trouser area on the back legs. These are the spots where mats form first. If the comb drags, stop and work the mat out with your fingers or a detangler spray. Never cut a mat out with scissors.
3. Ears
Check the ear flap and the opening. A little wax is normal. A strong smell, redness, head shaking, or scratching means a vet visit, not a groom. For floppy-eared breeds like Cocker Spaniels and Basset Hounds, lift the ear flap and let it air-dry after walks in wet grass.
4. Eyes
Wipe the corners with a damp cotton pad. Tear staining on small breeds is usually a tear-duct issue rather than a grooming problem, but regular wiping prevents the skin from getting sore.
5. Nails
Trim the nail tips every 2 to 4 weeks, or as soon as you hear them clicking on the floor. Use dog nail clippers or a grinder. Cut just above the quick, the pink part inside light-coloured nails. On dark nails, take off small slivers and stop when you see a dark dot in the centre of the cut surface.
6. Bath
Most dogs do not need a bath more than once a month. Over-bathing strips the natural oils and dries the skin. Use a dog-specific shampoo, lukewarm water, and rinse thoroughly. Towel dry first, then a cool hairdryer on a low setting if your dog will tolerate it. The RSPCA dog grooming advice covers bathing frequency in more detail.
For a deeper walk-through of every step, see our dog grooming at home guide.
When to book a professional groomer
A good home routine handles everyday coat care. There are five clear signs that a professional is needed:
- Matted fur. Mats pull on the skin and trap moisture. A groomer will clip them out safely, often under mild sedation for severe cases. Do not try to cut mats out with scissors at home.
- Double coats with seasonal blow. Twice a year, double-coated breeds shed their undercoat. A professional de-shed treatment speeds this up and reduces shedding for the next few months.
- Hand-stripping breeds. Wire-coated terriers and Schnauzers need the dead outer coat pulled out by hand to keep the right texture. Clipping softens the coat and changes the colour. Book a groomer who offers hand-stripping.
- Anxious or reactive dogs. If your dog struggles with paws, clippers, or being still, a professional groomer with a quiet studio and one-to-one setup will get a much better result.
- Nails cut to the quick. If you have caught the quick once or twice, the dog will not forget. A groomer can take the nail back gradually over a few visits.
You can also book a groomer for a routine full groom every 6 to 8 weeks as a baseline, and use your at-home routine to keep the coat in good shape in between.
How much does professional grooming cost in the UK?
UK prices vary by region, breed, and coat type. As a rough 2026 guide:
| Dog size | Wash and dry | Full groom | |----------|--------------|------------| | Small (e.g. Yorkshire Terrier, Bichon) | £20 to £35 | £35 to £55 | | Medium (e.g. Cocker Spaniel, Cockapoo) | £25 to £45 | £50 to £75 | | Large (e.g. Golden Retriever, Standard Poodle) | £35 to £60 | £70 to £110 |
London prices sit at the top of these ranges, and especially curly or hand-stripping coats push prices higher. For a full breakdown by breed, see our dog grooming cost guide.
Recommended groomers
A professional groomer is worth the trip. If you are in North London, our trusted partner is Statham's 23, a long-established groomer on Market Place in NW11 with 25+ years looking after local dogs. For other London areas, see our London dog groomer hub.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I groom my dog at home?
Brush most dogs once a week. Curly, long, or double coats need brushing 2 to 3 times a week. Nails need a trim every 2 to 4 weeks. A bath once a month is enough for most dogs.
How often should a dog see a professional groomer?
Every 6 to 8 weeks for most breeds. Curly and hand-stripping breeds may need a visit every 4 to 6 weeks. Smooth and short-coated breeds can stretch to 10 to 12 weeks between full grooms.
What is the difference between clipping and hand-stripping?
Clipping cuts the coat with electric clippers, which softens the texture and can change the colour over time. Hand-stripping pulls out the dead outer coat by hand, which keeps a wire coat harsh and weatherproof. Wire-coated breeds like Wire Fox Terriers and most Schnauzers should be hand-stripped, not clipped.
Can I shave my double-coated dog in summer?
No. A double coat insulates against both cold and heat, and shaving it can cause long-term damage to the undercoat. Use an undercoat rake to remove loose hair instead, and keep the dog cool with shade, water, and early-morning or evening walks.
When can a puppy have its first groom?
After the second vaccination, usually around 12 weeks of age. Book a short introductory visit first so the puppy gets used to the sounds, the table, and being handled. Most groomers offer a 15 minute 'happy visit' for puppies. See our [puppy first groom guide](/blog/puppy-first-groom-uk) for more detail.
How do I cut my dog's nails without cutting the quick?
On light-coloured nails, the quick is the pink part inside the nail. Cut just above it, taking off small amounts at a time. On dark nails, snip off small slivers until you see a dark dot in the centre of the cut surface. If you cut the quick, use styptic powder to stop the bleeding. See our [dog nail clipping guide](/blog/dog-nail-clipping-how-to) for the full step-by-step.
Looking for a coat-care routine between grooms? Our handmade dog bandanas and accessories keep your dog comfortable and clean from bath to bath.
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