You bathed the dog on Sunday, and by Thursday she smells like she rolled through a puddle again - so now you are wondering if you are overdoing it, or not doing enough. Then there is the mat behind her ear that shows up out of nowhere, even though you swear you have been keeping up. Two different, equally annoying problems, one answer: a few simple habits, not an hour-long ritual in front of the mirror.
How often to bathe a dog
For most dogs, a bath every 3-4 weeks is enough. More often than that, without a clear reason, is not extra care - it is stress on the skin: dogs have a different skin pH from humans, and washing too often strips the natural protective layer. The exception is a specific reason: mud, something tangled in the coat, an obvious smell - an off-schedule bath makes sense then.
Coat type changes the answer more than you would expect - a Pomeranian or Maltese will typically need baths more often than a pug or Chihuahua, since their coat picks up dirt more easily and starts smelling sooner. Regular brushing between baths genuinely cuts down on this.
How to bathe a dog, step by step
- Use a dog shampoo, not a human one - not even a "sensitive skin" one.
- Work the lather in evenly. A silicone brush with a built-in shampoo dispenser makes this easier, especially through a dense undercoat, and doubles as a gentle massage.
- Rinse thoroughly - leftover shampoo in the coat can irritate the skin.
- Dry properly - towel-dry first without rubbing, then a low-heat dryer or a warm, draught-free room. Wet fur plus a draught is a fast way for a small dog to get cold, even indoors.
How often to brush a dog
There is a common belief that brushing is only for long-haired breeds. In practice, even short coats benefit from it - a brush removes dead hair before it ends up on the sofa, and spreads natural skin oils around, which is what makes a coat look genuinely healthy.
A good routine is 2-3 times a week, always covering the same risk zones: behind the ears, in the armpits, under the harness. For breeds whose coat mats easily - Maltese, Pomeranian, Yorkie - it is worth checking these spots almost every time you brush, since that is where mats form fastest and most quietly, before anyone notices.
Which brush for which coat
One brush does not work the same way for every dog. Short, smooth coats (think pugs, smooth-coat dachshunds) do well with a soft-bristle brush or a double-sided grooming glove - it removes dead hair without irritating the skin. A dense undercoat or a coat prone to matting (Pomeranian, spitz-type breeds) needs something stronger - a slicker brush, which reaches deeper but takes a gentler hand.
The right tool depends mostly on coat type, not breed size on its own:
- Short, smooth (pug, smooth-coat Chihuahua, smooth-coat dachshund): soft brush or grooming glove, once a week.
- Long, silky, no undercoat (Maltese, Yorkie): comb plus a gentle slicker brush, daily or every other day.
- Dense undercoat (miniature Pomeranian, spitz-type): slicker brush plus undercoat comb, 3 times a week, more during shedding season.
- Curly, wool-like (miniature poodle, Bolognese): slicker brush plus regular grooming trims, 2-3 times a week.
Think of this as a starting point, not a strict rule - if your dog's coat does not fit neatly into one category, go by how quickly it actually tends to mat, not the breed label.
Coat care for Maltese and Yorkie dogs
These two breeds show up on this kind of list for a reason - a long, silky coat with no undercoat mats faster than most, especially behind the ears and under the collar. Short daily brushing (even 2-3 minutes) works better here than a longer, once-a-week session.
Long coat care in summer and winter
In summer, skin and coat are more exposed to the sun - short breaks in the shade during the hottest hours make a real difference, especially for breeds with lighter skin under the coat, like Maltese or white spitz-types.
And the question every Pomeranian owner asks in July: can I just shave the coat off? For double-coated breeds, better not. The undercoat insulates against heat as well as cold, and after clipping, it can grow back patchy and uneven. A thorough brush-out does far more for a dog in the heat than a haircut.
Heavier shedding in summer: what it means for grooming
Heavier shedding in spring and summer is normal, not something to worry about - but without extra brushing, dead undercoat can mat into a dense layer under the top coat, which makes it harder for the skin to breathe in the heat - especially for breeds with a thick undercoat, like Pomeranians or spitz-types. During this period it is worth brushing more than usual, even if your normal routine is 2-3 times a week.
A winter note: salt and de-icing products dry out paw skin and can irritate paw pads - wipe them with a damp cloth after every walk.
Fur between the toes easily balls up into small, painful ice clumps after a longer walk in the snow - this is especially common in breeds with hairy paws, like Yorkies or Maltese - so it is worth combing it out as you go. We have written separately about extra protection for cold days in our guide to choosing dog clothing.
The takeaway
There is no single universal answer to how often to bathe or brush a dog - but there is a simple starting point: a bath every 3-4 weeks, brushing 2-3 times a week (more during shedding season), and the right tool chosen for coat type, not breed alone.
If you are not sure which brush or shampoo would work for your dog, message us - we are happy to help you find something that actually fits. 🤍
FAQ
How often should you bathe a puppy?
Every 4-6 weeks is a safe rhythm. Puppy skin is more sensitive than an adult dog's, so less frequent bathing protects its natural barrier - unless something specific, like mud or an obvious smell, calls for an earlier bath. Use a dog shampoo suitable for puppies and dry the coat thoroughly in a warm, draught-free room.
How do you remove a mat from a dog's coat?
Start at the edges, gently separating the mat with your fingers before reaching for a brush or comb. For breeds with a long, silky coat and no undercoat, such as Maltese or Yorkies, check the usual spots often, since they mat faster. If a mat is hard, tightly packed and close to the skin, a groomer is safer than scissors.
Does diet affect coat condition?
Yes. Deficiencies, especially in fatty acids, often show up first in coat quality: dullness, dryness, more shedding than usual. If a coat has got worse without an obvious external cause such as a new shampoo or the season, that is worth bringing up with a vet before changing anything yourself.
How often should I brush my dog?
For most dogs, 2-3 times a week, always covering the risk zones: behind the ears, in the armpits and under the harness. Long, silky coats with no undercoat, as on Maltese and Yorkies, do better with a short daily brush of 2-3 minutes, and every coat needs extra sessions during shedding season.
Can I use human shampoo on my dog?
No, not even a gentle "sensitive skin" one. Dog skin has a different pH from human skin, so human shampoo strips the natural protective layer and can leave the skin dry and itchy. Use a shampoo made for dogs, rinse thoroughly and dry the coat properly afterwards.
Which brush is best for a short-haired dog?
A soft-bristle brush or a double-sided grooming glove. Short, smooth coats, as on pugs, smooth-coat Chihuahuas or dachshunds, do not need a slicker brush: a gentle tool removes dead hair and spreads skin oils without irritating the skin. Once a week is usually enough outside shedding season.
Why does my dog smell again a few days after a bath?
Usually it is the coat, not the bath. Long or dense coats pick up dirt and moisture fast, so the smell returns sooner - regular brushing between baths and drying the coat fully after each wash help more than washing again. If the smell is back within a day or two and the skin, ears or teeth look or smell off, see a vet rather than the shampoo shelf.
