Lifetime health & preventative care
Coat care, brushing & mats
Choose care for the coat and keep handling comfortable.
Different coats need different care
Short, smooth coats still benefit from gentle grooming and skin checks. Long or silky coats can tangle around friction points. Curly coats can trap loose hair and form mats. Double coats have an undercoat and outer layer, so seasonal shedding can be substantial. Ask a competent groomer to demonstrate suitable brushes, combs and technique for your individual dog; breed descriptions are a starting point, not a complete care plan.
A comfortable brushing session
Use short sessions on a secure non-slip surface and reward calm cooperation. Work gently and check sensitive areas, including behind the ears, under the collar and where limbs meet the body. Avoid scraping the skin or pulling knots. Stop if your dog shows pain or distress; difficulty being brushed may reflect a medical problem as well as worry.
Start with one comfortable brush stroke
Let your dog look at the brush without being held in place. Reward calm interest, then try one gentle stroke on an untangled, comfortable area and pause. Continue only if your dog remains relaxed and chooses to stay. Build a few easy strokes over separate sessions rather than completing the whole coat at once.
Turning away, freezing or pulling back means pause and make the next attempt easier. Willing re-engagement is useful progress. If essential care cannot be completed comfortably, ask a groomer or vet for an adapted plan; do not leave painful mats while repeatedly practising.
Blue Cross: grooming · AAHA: low-stress handling
Targeted editorial addition checked 25 October 2026. Earlier material retains its stated review date; no independent veterinary review.
Mats need careful management
Tight mats can pull the skin and hide sores. Do not cut close to the skin with scissors: folded skin can be caught inside the mat. Ask a professional to assess removal; severe matting or inflamed skin may need veterinary care. Bathing a matted coat can make detangling harder, so seek advice before washing.
Clipping and shaving
Do not assume shaving a double coat is the best way to keep a dog cool. Discuss the coat, skin and purpose of clipping with a groomer or vet; medical clipping may sometimes be necessary. Avoid absolute claims that every coat must, or must never, be clipped. Our breed directory, hot-weather guidance and bathing guide provide related advice.
Continue your care plan
Grooming & Body Care · Keeping my dog healthy · New symptoms: find the right next step
Evidence and review
General information, not diagnosis or an individual treatment plan. Sources include veterinary professional guidance, veterinary charities and relevant regional parasite organisations. Clinical recommendations need individual veterinary interpretation.
Tiny Dog, Big Brrr!
Coat thickness and condition affect cold tolerance. Keep layers dry and check the skin beneath for rubbing.
About this guidanceReview details and sources
Evidence and review
Reviewed 2 October 2026 · Review sooner if advice, distribution or requirements change.