How often to visit the dog groomer? Schedule by breed and coat
How often should you visit the dog groomer? Every 6 to 8 weeks for growing coats, every 8 to 12 weeks for short coats. Frequency depends on the breed and home grooming.
How often your dog needs to see a dog groomer depends on their coat type, breed and lifestyle. Here at GroomRoom, we recommend a visit every 6 to 8 weeks for growing coats, and every 8 to 12 weeks for short coats. The British veterinary organisation PDSA suggests four to six clips or trims a year for some long-haired breeds, and a few appointments a year for medium-length coats, depending on breed. We'll work out the right rhythm for your dog during a free consultation at the salon.
- Our rhythm at the salon
- growing coats every 6 to 8 weeks, short coats every 8 to 12 weeks
- Some long-haired breeds (PDSA)
- 4 to 6 clips or trims a year
- Medium-length coats (PDSA)
- clipping or hand-stripping a few times a year, brushing several times a week
- Short coats (PDSA)
- usually no regular haircuts needed, brushing about once a week
- Bathing for medium to heavy coats (AKC)
- weekly to every 4 to 6 weeks for a well-maintained coat
- Our prices
- Full Groom from 79 €, Mini Groom from 59 €
How often your dog needs to see a dog groomer depends on coat type, breed and lifestyle. At GroomRoom, we recommend an appointment every 6 to 8 weeks for breeds with continuously growing coats. That includes Poodles, Doodles, Bichons, Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers and Shih Tzus. Short-haired dogs come in every 8 to 12 weeks, and Pomeranians and Spitz every 6 to 10 weeks. The British veterinary charity PDSA recommends four to six clips or trims a year for some long-haired breeds. Our Full Groom starts at 79 €, and the Mini Groom starts at 59 €.
Which rhythm suits which coat?
According to the PDSA, how often clipping, trimming or combing is needed depends on the length and texture of the coat. Your dog's weight mainly affects the price with us. The table below shows our recommended rhythm by coat type, alongside the PDSA's guidance.
| Breed group | Coat | Guidance | Suitable package |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poodles, Doodles, Bichons, Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers | Coat that, according to our price list, can be clipped | every 6 to 8 weeks with us; PDSA: 4 to 6 clips or trims a year for some long-haired breeds | Full Groom from 79 € |
| Standard Poodles and other large breeds | Coat that can be clipped | by arrangement at the salon | Full groom for large dogs from 209 € |
| Labrador, Staffordshire Bull Terrier | short coat | with us every 8 to 12 weeks; PDSA: brushing about once a week, usually no regular haircuts | Mini Groom from 59 € |
| Pomeranian, Spitz | coat with undercoat, no clipping | with us every 6 to 10 weeks; PDSA: brushing several times a week, cutting or plucking a few times a year | Mini groom from 59 € plus surcharge 20 € for the Mini groom (already included in the Spitz/Pomeranian full groom package) |
| Wire-haired breeds | Wire coat that's worked by hand | with us every 8 to 12 weeks | Hand stripping from 70 € per hour |
What's included in the Full groom and the Mini groom is explained on both service pages. With hand-stripping, we work the coat by hand instead of clipping it. You'll find all starting prices and possible surcharges on our price page.
The PDSA strongly advises knowing your own breed's grooming needs, since these vary with coat length and texture. For poodle mixes like cockapoos and labradoodles, it notes: they shed less, but their curly coat is prone to matting, especially when wet. Because of this, some owners choose to clip this coat shorter to make it easier to look after.
Services, duration and prices at GroomRoom
Starting prices including VAT, based on online booking. We will give you the final, binding price before the appointment after assessing the coat.
| Service | Duration | Price from |
|---|---|---|
| Full groom with haircut, XS up to 2 kg | 60 min | from 79 € |
| Full groom with haircut, S 2.5 to 10 kg (also Spitz, Pomeranian, Yorkshire) | 120 min | 89 to 135 € |
| Full groom with haircut, M 10 to 18 kg | 120 to 150 min | 149 to 169 € |
| Full groom with haircut, L 18 to 25 kg, Standard Poodle, Samoyed | 180 min | from 209 € |
| Mini groom without haircut, up to 30 kg | 60 to 180 mins | 59 to 169 € |
| Cat, brushing, clipping or full package | 60 to 90 mins | 99 to 149 € |
| Hand stripping (hand-stripping) | 60 min | 70 € per hour |
Why is a double coat groomed differently to a long coat?
Breeds with an undercoat have a soft layer of hair beneath the top coat. According to the American Kennel Club, dense double coats insulate the dog seasonally, and bathing too often can strip too much oil from the skin. The PDSA also points out that dogs shed more in spring and autumn and need more grooming during these times.
According to our price list, we don't clip breeds with an undercoat such as Spitz, Pomeranian, Husky or Golden Retriever. For these dogs, we de-mat by hand. For Pomeranian and Spitz, Alina as Senior Groomer and Natalie as Head Stylist are our specialists. For the Mini Groom, these breeds come with a surcharge of 20 € for the Mini Groom (already included in the Spitz/Pom Full Groom package). At home, the PDSA recommends brushing a Pomeranian several times a week, while the American Kennel Club recommends brushing right down to the skin.
What should you do at home between appointments?
At home, keep the coat easy to comb through, so your salon visit stays calm and doesn't involve lengthy de-matting. These five things belong in your routine:
- Brush and comb right down to the skin. The American Kennel Club recommends daily brushing for long-haired dogs, and a few sessions a week for most others. Knots often form behind the ears and under the legs.
- Listen to the claws. If they click on parquet or tiles, they're probably too long, according to the American Kennel Club. You can read what we do about this in Dog claw trimming in Berlin.
- Clean the corners of the eyes with a soft cloth dampened with warm water. Don't rub over the eye itself.
- Check the ears regularly. If you notice wax, odour or itching, the PDSA advises calling the vet first rather than cleaning inside the ear canal yourself.
- Only bathe your dog at home when needed, and only with dog shampoo. According to the PDSA, human shampoo can irritate the skin.
You shouldn't tackle solid mats yourself at home, the PDSA explicitly advises against this. We never pull on mats; we work carefully, step by step, and talk through the best solution with you. You'll find out how to prevent knots from the start in Preventing matting.
Book a Mini Groom as an in-between appointment if the coat is hard to comb through. We'll sort out light knots as part of the package.
How often should you bathe your dog?
At home, only bathe your dog when they're really dirty. The PDSA points out that shampoo can strip natural oils from the coat. After a muddy walk, plain warm water is often enough, according to the PDSA. The American Kennel Club suggests a range of weekly to every four to six weeks for dogs with a medium to large amount of coat, as long as it's maintained in between.
In the salon, we work with pH-neutral natural products from LT and Ecopets, as well as the Hydra bath system. Which product we use depends on coat type and skin condition. If your dog's skin or coat changes, the PDSA advises speaking to your vet.
When is an appointment overdue?
An overdue appointment usually shows in the coat before your calendar reminds you. These signs point to a visit being due soon:
- The comb gets caught behind the ears or under the legs, where knots often form according to the American Kennel Club.
- The nails click on hard flooring.
- Hair grows between the toes, which the American Kennel Club says can easily mat and may need a careful trim from a professional.
- When brushing, you find knots that won't come loose in one go.
If there's itching, a smell from the ear or sore patches, call your vet practice first. Changes to skin and coat should be checked there, according to the PDSA. We sort out light knots as part of the package, while heavily matted fur is charged from 15 € per 15 minutes or part thereof. What's possible with heavy matting is covered in Matted dog: what to do.
What a regular rhythm at the salon saves you
Light knots are included in our price. Heavily matted fur costs extra, from 15 € per 15 minutes or part thereof. With very heavy matting, we often recommend a short clip, as it's gentler on the dog and cheaper, provided the coat type allows for clipping.
We build in breaks and keep an eye on your dog's wellbeing throughout, the animal always comes first, not the clock. Nervous dogs are given time to settle in first, without any pressure. Kristina, our Senior Groomer, works with plenty of patience and a gentle touch, especially with nervous dogs. You'll find a step-by-step look at how an appointment works with us on the Process and preparation page. The article Nervous dog at the dog groomer can help too.
When should a puppy first visit the salon?
Puppies up to 10 kg come in for their first appointment after their second vaccination, with us that's the puppy introduction groom. The appointment takes 45 to 60 minutes and costs 59 € up to 3 kg and 89 € up to 10 kg. We bathe with a mild puppy shampoo, blow-dry gently and take care of nails, eyes and paws, with no trim at the first appointment.
The PDSA recommends introducing grooming early on so your dog gets used to it and feels comfortable with it. That's exactly how we approach it: letting them sniff around and settle in, praising them, taking breaks. Then we introduce your puppy to water, the dryer and the comb step by step. Beforehand, we'll talk through age, breed and vaccination status with you.
How do you find the right rhythm for your dog?
Drop by for a free consultation without an appointment on weekdays at Giesebrechtstraße 2, 10629 Berlin, and we'll check the coat and skin. We are open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 to 18, and closed on Monday and Sunday. By train, you can reach us via U7 Adenauerplatz (5 minutes on foot), U1 and U9 Kurfürstendamm (10 minutes). You can park on Giesebrechtstraße and Brandenburgische Straße.
The PDSA advises always asking your own vet practice or an experienced groomer about your dog specifically. After taking a look, we'll discuss with you which interval suits your dog's coat and daily life. You can book an appointment online any time, choosing your package, groomer, day and time.
Case studies from the salon
Real appointments from GroomRoom, prices as charged (as of September 2026). The final price depends on the coat condition and will be confirmed before we start.
Shih Tzu
- Before
- Regularly groomed Shih Tzu, last appointment about eight weeks ago, no matting.
- Treatment
- Full groom: Bathing, blow-drying, brushing, breed-standard cut, nails, eyes, paws, ears, sanitary trim.
- Duration
- 90 minutes
- Price
- 105 to 135 €
- Groomer
- Team GroomRoom
We visited GroomRoom for the first time and are absolutely thrilled. We've finally found our dog groomer in Kristina. We will definitely be coming back. Unfortunately, I can only give five stars, even though you deserve at least ten.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should a Poodle or Doodle go to the dog groomer?
For breeds with continuously growing coats like Poodles, Doodles, Bichons, Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers and Shih Tzus, we recommend an appointment every 6 to 8 weeks. The PDSA suggests four to six clipping or trimming sessions a year for some long-haired breeds. For poodle mixes like Cockapoos and Labradoodles, it notes that their curly coat mats easily, especially when wet. We'll work out which interval suits your dog during your free consultation at the salon.
How often does a short-haired dog need to go to the dog groomer?
For us, short-haired dogs come in every 8 to 12 weeks. According to the PDSA, short-haired dogs generally don't need regular haircuts, and brushing once a week is often enough. If you want care without a cut, our Mini Groom from 59 € is the right fit. In spring and autumn, dogs shed more according to the PDSA and need a bit more care then.
How often can I have my dog shaved?
It depends on the coat type. We only offer clipping for breeds whose coat allows it, such as Poodles, Doodles, Bichons, Maltese or Yorkshire Terriers. We don't clip breeds with an undercoat like Spitz, Pomeranian, Husky or Golden Retriever, instead we de-mat their coats by hand.
How often should I bathe my dog?
At home, only bathe your dog when needed, as shampoo can strip natural oils from the coat according to the PDSA. After a muddy walk, plain warm water is often enough, says the PDSA. In the salon, we use pH-neutral natural products from LT and Ecopets, chosen to suit the coat type and skin condition.
What happens if an appointment is overdue for a long time?
Light knots are included in the price, but heavily matted fur is charged from 15 € per 15 minutes or part thereof. With very severe matting, we often recommend a short clip, as it's gentler and cheaper for the dog. This only applies to breeds whose coat allows shaving.
When should a puppy go to the dog groomer?
From the second vaccination onwards, with the puppy introduction groom for dogs up to 10 kg. The appointment takes 45 to 60 minutes and costs 59 € up to 3 kg and 89 € up to 10 kg. It's all about getting used to water, the dryer and the comb, with no cut at the first appointment.
Sources and professional context
- How often should you groom your pet? - PDSA · accessed on 2026-09-28
- How Often Should You Wash Your Dog? — American Kennel Club · accessed 2026-09-28
- Dog Grooming at Home: Brushing, Bathing, and Nail Care · accessed 2026-09-28
