How often to visit the dog groomer? Schedule by breed and coat
How often should your dog visit the dog groomer? Guidelines by breed and coat, maintenance between appointments and what a regular schedule in Berlin costs.
Most dogs should visit the dog groomer every six to twelve weeks, depending on their breed and coat type. Breeds with continuously growing coats like Poodles, Doodles or Shih Tzus need an appointment every six to eight weeks. Short-haired dogs do well with an appointment every eight to twelve weeks. Pomeranians and Spitzes come in every six to ten weeks, and hand-stripping for terriers is every eight to twelve weeks.
- Continuously growing coat
- every 6 to 8 weeks
- Short coat
- every 8 to 12 weeks
- Pomeranian and Spitz
- every 6 to 10 weeks, brush at home several times a week
- Hand-stripping
- every 8 to 12 weeks
- Full Groom
- from 79 €, Mini Groom from 59 €
How often to visit the dog groomer? The short answer: every six to twelve weeks
Most dogs should visit the dog groomer every six to twelve weeks, depending on their breed and coat type. Breeds with continuously growing coats like Poodles, Doodles, Bichons, Malteses and Shih Tzus need an appointment every six to eight weeks. Short-haired dogs usually do well with an appointment every eight to twelve weeks. Pomeranians and Spitzes belong in the salon every six to ten weeks and should be brushed several times a week at home. For hand-stripping, which is plucking the mature topcoat with your fingers, the rhythm is eight to twelve weeks. As a dog groomer in Berlin Charlottenburg, we assess the right rhythm for your dog for free here at GroomRoom.
These guidelines are based on our daily work at GroomRoom in Berlin-Charlottenburg, where we've been grooming dogs of all breeds since 2022. The exact interval for your dog depends on their coat length, activity level and the grooming you can manage at home. That's why we'll tell you the best rhythm for your pet during their first assessment.
Grooming rhythm by breed and coat type at a glance
The following table shows how often your dog should visit the dog groomer and which of our packages is the best fit. All prices are starting prices including VAT; we'll give you a binding final price before the appointment after a personal assessment.
| Breed group | Coat type | Frequency | Suitable package |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poodle, Doodle, Bichon, Maltese, Yorkshire Terrier, Shih Tzu | continuously growing coat, non-shedding | every 6 to 8 weeks | Full Groom from 79 € |
| Labrador, Beagle, Pug, French Bulldog | short coat, shedding | every 8 to 12 weeks | Mini Groom from 59 € |
| Pomeranian, Spitz | dense double coat with lots of undercoat | every 6 to 10 weeks, plus brushing several times a week | Mini Groom from 59 €, Pomeranian surcharge 20 € |
| Terriers, Schnauzers, Dachshunds, wire-haired breeds | Wire-haired breeds with a ripening topcoat | every 8 to 12 weeks | Hand-stripping from 70 € |
| all breeds between two packages | all coat types | as needed, for instance when the nails click | Individual services, 4-in-1 combo package from 45 € |
The Full Groom includes bathing, blow-drying, brushing, a breed-standard cut or clip, as well as nails, eyes, paws, ears and the hygiene area. The Mini Groom is a wash without a cut: washing, drying, combing, light thinning, nails, eyes, paws and the hygiene area. Thinning means we use thinning scissors to reduce bulk without visibly changing the length. You can find all starting prices and surcharges for de-matting or very anxious dogs on our pricing page.
Why double-coated breeds are groomed differently
A double coat means the dog has a second, soft layer under the visible topcoat, known as the undercoat. This undercoat insulates against the cold in winter and the heat in summer by trapping a layer of air close to the body. For Pomeranians, Spitzes and similar breeds, we thoroughly brush out the loose undercoat and avoid clipping. We use a brush, comb and the Hydra bath for these dogs, as the topcoat needs to keep its protective function.
A short double coat is the shorter version of this, like you see on Labradors or German Shepherds. Here too, the dog loses a lot of undercoat during shedding season, which is easily removed with a wash, thorough brushing and blow-drying.
Here at GroomRoom, Alina usually handles thick double coats herself as our Senior Groomer and Pomeranian specialist. The Pomeranian surcharge of 20 € covers the extra time needed to dry and brush out the undercoat. At home, you should brush a Pomeranian down to the skin several times a week, otherwise the undercoat will mat unnoticed.
What happens at home between appointments
The salon appointment builds on your home care, as matting almost always happens between visits. That's why these five steps belong in your regular weekly routine, so the coat stays combable until the next appointment:
- Brush dogs with continuously growing coats every two to three days, combing right down to the skin. Pay special attention to the ears, armpits, belly and inner thighs, as the coat mats fastest in these areas.
- Check the nails every two weeks: if they click on parquet or tiles, they are too long.
- Wipe the eyes of light-coloured dogs daily with a damp cloth to prevent tear stains.
- Check the ears once a week for any smell, redness or dark buildup in the ear canal.
- Only bathe your dog at home when necessary, like after rolling in mud, and only use a pH-neutral dog shampoo.
How often you should bathe your dog depends on their coat; between salon appointments, the wash they get with us is usually enough. Bathing too often with the wrong products dries out the skin, which is why we work with pH-neutral natural products from LT and Ecopets. We explain step by step how to prevent matting from the start in our post Preventing matting.
Book a Mini Groom as an in-between appointment if the coat gets dull or hard to comb between haircuts. This keeps the gap to your next Full Groom at the recommended six to eight weeks.
Seasons: winter, summer and shedding
In winter, the time between visits doesn't get longer for most dogs, even though many owners assume it does. Road salt, mud, and wet weather take a toll on the coat and paws, so we check the pads especially carefully in winter. A slightly longer cut offers protection in the colder months, but the coat still needs to be easy to comb. You can read more about road salt, paw protection, and coat care in our post on winter dog care.
In summer, many owners ask for a short clip so their dog can cope better with the heat. This makes sense for dogs with continuously growing coats, but for double coat breeds, brushing out the undercoat is the way to go. Removing the loose undercoat lets air reach the skin again, while the topcoat continues to protect against the sun. So, how often you should clip your dog depends on their coat type, not the season.
The spring and autumn shedding seasons mainly affect short-haired dogs and double coat breeds. During this time, an extra Mini Groom appointment is well worth it, as the bath and blow-dry loosen a lot of undercoat. Breeds with continuously growing coats, like Poodles or Bichons, don't really shed in the same way and can stick to their usual routine.
How do you know a trip to the dog groomer is overdue?
An overdue appointment usually shows in the coat long before you check the calendar. You should take these five signs seriously and book an appointment with us soon:
- The comb gets stuck behind the ears, under the armpits or on the belly instead of gliding through smoothly.
- The coat falls into your dog's eyes or sticks to their mouth after drinking.
- The nails click on parquet or tiles, or they already touch the floor when standing.
- The fur around their bottom and between their paw pads is matted or smells unpleasant.
- Your dog is scratching more than usual or doesn't like having their tummy touched anymore.
We can often brush out small, individual knots, but for larger matted areas we charge 15 € per 15 minutes started. If the coat is heavily matted, clipping is sometimes the kinder option for your pet, as prolonged brushing pulls on the skin. We explain exactly what you can do for a matted dog in our article what to do if your dog is matted.
What a regular schedule costs compared to a long break
A regular schedule keeps the price per appointment low and saves your dog from de-matting surcharges. Here are two pricing examples from our salon, based on starting prices from September 2026.
A regularly groomed Spitz up to 5 kg takes about 90 minutes for a Full Groom and costs 129 €. A Pomeranian that hasn't been to the salon for six months, however, takes about 2.5 hours with de-matting and a surcharge. This single appointment costs 165 to 180 € and is much more stressful for the dog than a routine wash. If you stick to a regular schedule, you pay the package's starting price per visit and no de-matting surcharge.
Then there's the stress on the animal: de-matting pulls on the skin, and a long session requires more breaks. Very anxious dogs need more time, so a Golden Retriever might take around three hours for 209 to 240 €. We work in an anxiety-sensitive way with breaks and no overbooking, so your dog handles the appointment well. You can read about how we schedule breaks and support anxious dogs on our Process and preparation page. For regular customers, we offer a loyalty card via Locus, which you are welcome to ask about in the salon.
Finding the right schedule for your dog
Just bring your dog in for a free consultation, weekdays without an appointment at Giesebrechtstraße 2 in Berlin-Charlottenburg. We'll take a look at the coat, give you a binding price and suggest a suitable interval. If you book your next appointment right when you pick them up, you won't lose track of the routine. You can book your appointment online around the clock, choosing your package, groomer, day and time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should a Poodle or Doodle go to the dog groomer?
Poodles, Doodles, Bichons, Malteses, Yorkshires and Shih Tzus need an appointment every six to eight weeks. Their coat keeps growing without shedding and will get matted without cutting and grooming. Between appointments, you should brush them down to the skin every two to three days.
How often does a short-haired dog need to go to the dog groomer?
Short-haired dogs do well with an appointment every eight to twelve weeks. Our Mini Groom is perfect for this, including washing, drying, combing, nails, eyes, paws and the hygiene area. During shedding season, an extra appointment is worth it because the wash removes a lot of loose undercoat.
How often can I clip my dog?
How often you can have your dog clipped depends on their coat type. Breeds with continuously growing hair can be clipped or scissored every six to eight weeks. We generally don't clip double coat breeds like Pomeranians or Spitzes; instead, we thoroughly brush out the undercoat.
How often should I bathe my dog?
Between two salon appointments, a wash with us every six to twelve weeks is enough for most dogs. At home, you only bathe them when necessary, like after rolling in mud, and only with a pH-neutral dog shampoo. Bathing too often with the wrong products dries out the skin and makes the coat dull.
What happens if I put off the appointment for too long?
The coat gets matted between appointments, and the next visit to the salon becomes longer and more expensive. A Pomeranian after six months without a salon visit needs about 2.5 hours with de-matting and costs 165 to 180 €. We charge an additional 15 € for every 15 minutes started for de-matting, but only if it's necessary.
When should a puppy go to the dog groomer?
Puppies can come to our salon in Charlottenburg for their first introductory appointment after their second vaccination. This is about getting used to the table, tub and hairdryer, not a finished cut. After that, the young dog will gradually settle into the rhythm that suits their breed.
How do I know which rhythm suits my dog?
Bring your dog to Giesebrechtstraße 2 in Charlottenburg on weekdays for a free consultation. We'll look at the coat, give you a binding price and suggest a suitable interval. It's best to book your next appointment right when you pick them up, so you can keep track of the schedule.
This guide is backed by the experience from our salon. Calculate price or book an appointment.
