Double Coat

Double coats are the actual dominant genetic coat for all dogs. These coats consist of fur growing to a finite length but is the same length overall. Sub categories include short, medium, long and rustic style coats.

To properly groom double coats in all their various forms, it is important to focus on the under coat. Groomers will use bathing, drying, tools and brushing techniques to remove as much of the under coat as possible.

At home, your best tools will be a regular slicker brush, wide toothed comb and an under coat rake. Bathe with regular shampoo and a separate thinner conditioner. Do not use conditioner on those dogs that have a coarse, wiry coat. Brush once a week.

Examples: German Shepard, Husky, Pug, Labrador Retriever, Corgi, Newfoundland, Old English Sheep Dog and Samoyed. 

Wire Coat

Wire coats are found predominately with terrier breeds. Dead hairs do not simply shed and tend to “stick” in the follicle. As a result, these dead hairs need to be plucked out. Contrary to urban myths, this process causes minimal to no discomfort. Shaving wire coats causes follicle damage resulting in skin issues, discoloration, softening the coat and losing its wire texture.

These coats are low maintenance. The wire helps protect against the elements, dries faster and mats pull out smoothly.

Wire coats use special tools called carding and stripping knives. They are not sharp but are designed to help pluck out dead hair. Carding tools help pull out the undercoat while stripping knives pull out dead guard coat.

At home, your best tools will be a regular slicker brush and medium-tooth metal comb. Long hair around the face can be finger plucked. Wire coats do not need to be bathed. Rub down the coat with witch hazel. Brush once a week.

Examples: Irish Terrier, Boarder Terrier, Norwich Terrier Cairn Terrier, Schnauzer, Sealyham, West Highland Terrier.

Curly

Curly coats are a common coat type for many water retrieving breeds. Other breed groups with this coat style share similar genetic hair features. These coats have a rough, dense hair-like texture that protects against the elements, and grows to an undetermined length.

These coats require more work to maintain. Puppy coats last for 6-12 months and are less dense and are mat resistant. Once the denser adult hair rotates into the coat, the hair tends to tangle and mat faster. Due to genetic variation of coat coarseness, softer adult coats mat faster. Traditional styles usually include clean face to prevent matted muzzles. However, this type of hair can be put into a variety of non-traditional styles and lengths.

It is recommended that these dogs be brushed often using a slicker brush following up with a medium-tooth comb. These breeds need to be brushed at least 2-3 times per week. Bathe at home with shampoo and separate thick conditioner. A towel should be used to blot dry the coat avoiding vigorous rubbing which mats the coat. Brushing the coat while wet pull out tangles easier and prevents mats as the hair dries. Brush 3-5 times per week.

Example: Poodles, Portuguese Water Dogs, Lagotto, Bedlingtons, Bischon Frise, Spanish Water Dogs, Irish Water Spaniel.

Flat Coat

Flat coats, or “feather coats”, have two fur lengths consisting of guard coat and under coat. Unlike the double coated breeds, fur grows at different lengths on various parts of the body. Shorter flat fur lies along the back while the body and underside form a longer skirt. The front legs have longer hair on the back of the legs called “furnishings” or sometimes “pants”. The guard coat protects dogs against the outside elements including rain, sun and bugs.

These breeds should be brushed weekly. Their longer hair tends to capture and hold-in shedding undercoat which can build-up. Meanwhile, the longer areas of the coat can tangle and mat. Brush 3-5 times per week.

At home, your best tools will be a regular slicker brush, medium-toothed comb and an under coat rake. Bathe with regular shampoo and a separate thinner conditioner.

Examples: Golden Retriever, English Setter, Springer Spaniel, Cavalier King Charles, Cocker Spaniel, Flat Coated Retriever, Japanese Chin, Long Haired Dachsund.

Smooth Coat

These breeds have short fur which can either be single or double coated and shed. These coats consist of fur growing to a finite length but is the same length overall. Their skin tends to get dry and flaky.

Proper grooming focuses on the under coat and on moisturizing the skin. Groomers will use bathing, drying, tools and brushing techniques to remove as much of the under coat as possible. A finishing gloss is recommended after the bath containing argon or linseed oil.. Coconut oil should not be used because it clogs the pores of the skin.

At home, the best tools to use for weekly brushing would be a rubber-style brush such as a Kong “zoom groom” or a bore hair brush. Bathing should always include a moisturizing shampoo and separate, thicker conditioner. brush once a week.

Examples: Boston Terrier, Boxer, Great Dane, Greyhound, Pit bull, Weimaraner, Miniature Pinscher.

Long Coat

Long coats are found within many AKC breed groups. This hair has loose muscle structure and can flip back and forth without difficulty or injury. Many breeds are described to have a soft, silky coat. Long coats mat and tangle quickly. Due to genetic variation of coat coarseness, softer adult coats mat faster. Mats range from powdery small mats to large areas that cannot be easily brushed and would require shaving underneath the effected areas. Traditional styles are left long however, this type of hair is usually kept at non-traditional lengths.

It is recommended that these dogs be brushed often using a soft slicker or pin brush following up with a medium-tooth comb. These breeds need to be brushed daily. Bathe at home with shampoo and separate thick conditioner. A towel should be used to blot dry the coat avoiding vigorous rubbing which mats the coat. Brushing the coat while wet pull out tangles easier and prevents mats as the hair dries. Brush 3-5 times per week.

Examples: Yorkshire Terriers, Shih Tzu, Havanese, Maltese, Tibetan Terrier.

Mixed-Breed Coat

Mixed breeds can display any combination of coat type. Therefore, grooming a mixed breed, especially poodle mixes presents more of a challenge. All styles are considered free style since no official breed standard guideline has been established. It is scientifically inaccurate to believe that mixed breeds pass on the best genes to their offspring.

For example, most Poodle mixes tend to mat faster and more aggressively then the actual breed standard coat type of poodles due to the genetic mix of the coat structure. Sometimes, poodle mixes even shed.

For mixed-breeds with hair, it is recommended that these dogs be brushed often using a soft slicker or pin brush following up with a medium-tooth comb. These mixes need to be brushed daily. Bathe at home with shampoo and separate thick conditioner. A towel should be used to blot dry the coat avoiding vigorous rubbing which mats the coat. Brushing the coat while wet pull out tangles easier and prevents mats as the hair dries. Brush 3-5 times per week.

Otherwise, use the coat type guide for the type of coat that appears to be genetically dominant.