Understanding your dog’s coat is the first step toward knowing how to care for it. Different breeds require different brushing frequencies and tools, after all! Here are the basics.

Key takeaways:

• A dog’s coat has three distinct phases, the anagen, catagen, and telogen.

• Brushing is the most important way to keep your dog’s coat healthy.

• Different breeds and coats need different brushes and frequencies of brushing.

• You can brush out minor tangles, but may need to cut out major tangles or mats.

You can tell a lot about your dog’s health from their coat. Many pet parents only worry about how to prevent shedding, but a healthy coat goes much deeper.

There are several things you can do to promote a healthy coat and keep your dog looking and feeling great. This article will give you simple hacks to keep your pup properly pampered.

3 phases of your dog’s coat

Your dog’s fur doesn’t “spring into existence,” but instead comes in three distinct phases. Different dog breeds spend different times at each phase. The three stages of fur growth are:

• Anagen – This is the growth phase. Some dogs’ fur, like poodles, spends most of its cycle in the growth phase. Poodles and similar dogs need frequent cuts, about every 6 to 8 weeks, to keep up with the growth. Others, like Jack Russel Terriers, spend a lot less time in this phase. Their fur needs cutting much less often.

• Catagen – This is the “transitional phase” of fur growth. During this stage, the follicle shrinks, and growth slows. The fur stops growing and transitions to the final phase.

• Telogen – This is the final growth stage. The fur no longer grows and separates itself from the hair follicle. This loose fur falls out – or “sheds” – to make room for new fur.

How much shedding you notice depends on your dog’s breed. Dogs shed all year, but increase in the fall and spring as they growing a winter coat or to accommodate their lighter summer coat.

Brushing: the most important part of maintaining a healthy coat

A good brushing does a lot for your dog. It removes dead skin cells, dirt, external parasites, irritants, and loose fur, plus helps spread necessary natural oils over your pup’s body. It also prevents painful tangles and mats. Brushing your dog’s entire coat is important, but certain areas need more attention. Thoroughly brush around your pup’s armpits, ears, and back of his legs.

How often does my dog need to be brushed?

When you need to brush your dog will depend on the length of his coat. You'll need to brush dogs with long thick fur (like a Collie or Chow Chow) far more often than a pup with a short coat, like a Doberman Pinscher. Regardless of breed, you can give your pup a brushing every couple of days. Daily brushing is a great idea because it removes anything that shouldn’t be in your dog’s fur.

Choosing the right brush matters

There are so many dog breeds of different shapes and sizes! Using the right brush is key to helping your dog maintain a healthy coat. There are four basic kinds of dog brushes, including:

• Slicker brushes – These have short wires close together to help remove tangles and mats. The brushes are flat and designed for dogs with curly or wavy coats or that have medium to long fur. 


• Rakes – These shaving razor-shaped brushes are made for dogs with very thick coats. They have two rows of sharp pins clustered tightly together to remove excess fur and debris.

• Bristle brushes – These brushes are for smooth-coated or very short-haired breeds. They feature natural bristles designed to remove dirt and stimulate the dog’s skin.

• Pin brushes – These look a lot like people brushes! The pins are on top of the flexible wires and help remove loose fur before it hits your furniture or floor.

Tangle and mat concerns

Has your dog developed tangles? Did they encounter something outside that got stuck in their fur? Do they have mats? There are two ways to handle all three:

• If your dog has something stuck in their fur but close to the surface, you may be able to gently brush it out. The emphasis is on the word "gently!" Tangled fur means there’s tension at their skin. Brushing will pull your dog’s skin and cause pain, so you may be better off cutting it out.

• A mat develops when dead fur wraps around live fur. These are much harder to brush out without causing considerable pain for your dog. In these cases, cutting the mat is a gentler way of dealing with the problem.

One caveat: Cutting mats with scissors is risky. Mats form close to the skin, so cutting with scissors means you’ll be snipping close to their skin. This is potentially dangerous to your dog and should only be done by a professional.

Dog bathing 101

A good bath is another step in maintaining a healthy coat for your pup. Bathing helps repel fleas and ticks in the summer months, and can ease skin irritation. How often should they get a bath? This comes down to breed.

Short-haired breeds can go quite a while between baths. Dogs with oily coats, like Basset Hounds, might need a weekly bath. Some, like Golden Retrievers, have water-resistant coats and should not be bathed too often. Overbathing such breeds prevents them from maintaining the natural oils in their coats.

If you’re not sure about your breed, check with your routine dog care expert. They can help you create an appropriate schedule of bathing without drying out your dog’s skin.

Work with expert dog care professionals

Your dog’s coat needs regular care, not just when their springtime shedding occurs or in the fall when their winter coat comes in. Maintaining a regular brushing and bathing schedule based on your dog’s breed means you’ll be taking care of an important part of your dog’s health.

Too busy, or not sure how to tackle all the steps yourself? You can always schedule an appointment with your local pet wellness care professional! The team at Scenthound is here to assist with all your dog’s skin, coat, ears, nails, and teeth needs, ensuring your pup stays happy and healthy for years to come. Find your local Scenthound and learn more about our monthly wellness memberships.