--- title: "Dog Coat Types Explained: A Groomer's Guide | Fluffs York" description: A York groomer explains the main dog coat types, how to identify yours, and the brushing tools and grooming routine each one actually needs. --- [![Untitled (400 x 400 px) (250 x 100 px) (1)](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/hubfs/Untitled%20(400%20x%20400%20px)%20(250%20x%20100%20px)%20(1).png)](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk) - [About](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/about) - Pricing & Packages - [Full Dog Groom](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-grooming-prices-and-packages-in-york) - [Hand Stripping](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/hand-stripping-in-york) - [Puppy Grooming](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/puppy-grooming-in-york) - [Wash, Dry & Deshed](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-deshedding-prices-in-york) - [Nail Clipping](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-nail-clipping-cost-in-york) - [Gallery](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-grooming-gallery) - [Reviews](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/customer-reviews-fluffs-dog-grooming-york) - Resources - [FAQs](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/faqs) - [Blog](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-grooming-tips-and-tricks) - [Contact](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/contact-fluffs) Dog Grooming # Dog Coat Types Explained: A Groomer's Guide to Knowing Yours A York groomer explains the main dog coat types, how to identify yours, and the brushing tools and grooming routine each one actually needs. [Lucy](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-grooming-tips-and-tricks/author/lucy) Sep 22, 2026 --- If you've ever wondered why your neighbour's Labrador just needs a quick brush while your friend's Poodle books in every few weeks, the answer is coat type. It's the single most useful thing to understand about your dog, because it decides everything: which brush you buy, how often you brush, whether the coat gets clipped, stripped or deshedded, and how often you need a groomer. Get the coat type right and the whole routine falls into place, starting with [the right brushing](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-grooming-tips-and-tricks/importance-of-brushing-your-dog). I groom every kind of coat here in York, and the mistake I see most often is owners using the wrong tool for their dog's coat, then wondering why it isn't working. So let's sort that out. Below are the main coat types, how to recognise yours, some example breeds, and exactly what each one needs. Most dogs fit neatly into one; plenty are a combination, which I'll come to at the end. ## Smooth and short coats Think Labrador, Staffie, Beagle, Boxer, Pug, Dachshund. The hair lies flat and close to the body, usually under an inch long. These are the easiest coats to live with, but "easy" doesn't mean "no grooming", because most short coats still shed, sometimes a surprising amount. - **Tools:** a rubber curry brush or grooming mitt, and a bristle brush to finish. - **Frequency:** a good brush once or twice a week; more during a moult. - **Approach:** you're removing loose hair and spreading natural oils, not shaping anything. A quick rubber-brush session before it lands on your sofa is the whole game. ## Double coats This is the big one for shedding. Double-coated breeds have a soft, dense undercoat for insulation and a coarser topcoat of guard hairs over it. Labradors, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Huskies, Border Collies and Corgis all carry a [double coat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_coat), and it's that undercoat that blows out in clumps twice a year. - **Tools:** a slicker brush plus an undercoat rake to reach the dense layer. - **Frequency:** once or twice a week most of the year, daily during the spring and autumn [moults](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moulting). - **Approach:** deshed, don't clip. Shaving a double coat is almost always a mistake, it can spoil how the coat regrows and removes the dog's natural insulation. A professional [deshedding treatment](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-deshedding-prices-in-york) a few times a year lifts out the dead undercoat far more thoroughly than home brushing can, and the difference on the floor at home is dramatic. > **Groomer's tip:** If your dog leaves tumbleweeds of fluff around the house, you almost certainly have a double coat, not a "shedding problem" to be cured. Manage it with deshedding, not with a shave. We go into more detail on [how to stop dog shedding](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-grooming-tips-and-tricks/how-to-stop-dog-shedding) if that's your daily battle. ## Silky and long coats Long, fine, flowing hair that keeps growing: Yorkshire Terriers, Shih Tzus, Maltese, Afghan Hounds, setters and spaniels (feathering). It looks beautiful and it mats beautifully too, especially at the friction points behind the ears and under the legs. - **Tools:** a slicker brush and a metal comb; the comb is what tells you the coat is truly tangle-free. - **Frequency:** most silky coats need brushing daily or every other day. - **Approach:** brush right down to the skin in sections, not just over the surface. Many owners keep these coats in a shorter "puppy trim" for easier upkeep, which is a completely valid choice and something we can talk through at a groom. ## Curly and wool coats Poodles, Bichon Frises, and the many Poodle crosses. The hair is curly or woolly and, crucially, it doesn't drop out on its own, it gets caught in the coat. That's why people call these "non-shedding" and then find their dog matted: the shed hair has nowhere to go. - **Tools:** a firm slicker brush and a comb, used right to the skin. - **Frequency:** several times a week, ideally most days, using a line-brushing technique so you reach every layer. - **Approach:** these coats need regular clipping to keep them manageable, usually every 6 to 8 weeks with a groomer. Between visits the brushing is non-negotiable, because a curly coat can mat close to the skin within days. This is exactly the coat that keeps our [Poodle grooming service](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/poodle-grooming-in-york) busy. ## Wire and broken coats Border Terriers, Jack Russells, Wire Fox Terriers, Schnauzers, many working terriers. The topcoat is harsh and wiry, designed to shrug off weather, sitting over a softer undercoat. This is a specialist coat, and it's one of my favourites to work on. - **Tools:** a slicker, a comb, and for hand-stripping a stripping knife or finger-and-thumb technique. - **Frequency:** brush a couple of times a week; strip on a rolling schedule. - **Approach:** the correct grooming for a true wire coat is [hand-stripping](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/hand-stripping-in-york), which pulls the dead guard hairs out from the root and lets the harsh, weatherproof texture and colour regrow. Clipping a wire coat is quicker but it blunts the texture and fades the colour over time. If you have a terrier and want to keep that proper crisp jacket, ask about hand-stripping. ## Combination coats Plenty of dogs don't read the rulebook. A dog can have a smooth back and a feathered, silky belly and legs (many spaniels and setters), or a coat that's changing as a puppy grows into its adult texture. The trick with a combination coat is to treat each area for what it is: rubber brush the smooth parts, slicker-and-comb the feathering, and pay extra attention to the soft, high-friction spots that [mat first](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-grooming-tips-and-tricks/what-causes-matting-in-dogs). When you're not sure, a groomer can look at your specific dog and tell you exactly what you're working with. ## Frequently asked questions **How do I know what coat type my dog has?** Feel it and watch it. Short and flat that sheds is a smooth coat; a soft dense underlayer under coarser hair is a double coat; long flowing hair is silky; curly hair that doesn't shed onto the floor is wool; harsh crisp hair on a terrier is wire. If your dog is a crossbreed and you genuinely can't tell, bring them in and I'll identify it for you. **Which dog coat type needs the least grooming?** A short, smooth coat is the lowest maintenance, though it still sheds and benefits from a weekly brush. The highest maintenance coats are curly, silky and wool, because they either grow continuously or trap loose hair, so they need frequent brushing and regular professional trims. **Should I clip a double-coated dog to stop it shedding?** No. Clipping a double coat doesn't stop shedding, it just changes the length of what sheds, and it can affect how the coat regrows and how well the dog regulates temperature. Deshedding, not clipping, is the right approach for a double coat. **What's the difference between clipping, stripping and deshedding?** Clipping cuts the coat to length (used on curly and silky coats). Hand-stripping pulls dead hair from the root to preserve wire texture (used on terriers). Deshedding removes the loose dead undercoat from a double coat. Each suits a different coat type, which is exactly why identifying yours matters so much. --- *Fluffs is a professional dog grooming salon in Wigginton, York, offering one-to-one grooming for dogs of every breed and coat type across Haxby, Strensall, Huntington, New Earswick and the surrounding villages. Not sure which coat type you're dealing with, or which routine it needs? I'm happy to take a look and set you up right. [Book a grooming session with Fluffs.](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/contact-fluffs)* [Dog Grooming](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-grooming-tips-and-tricks/tag/dog-grooming) ## Similar posts Fluffs Dog Grooming Wigginton, York, YO32 2TW Tel: [07955270459](tel:07955270459) ### About - [About](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/about) - [Contact](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/contact-fluffs) - [Reviews](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/customer-reviews-fluffs-dog-grooming-york) ### Local Areas - [Strensall](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-grooming-in-strensall) - [Huntington](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-grooming-in-huntington) - [New Earswick](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-grooming-in-new-earswick) - [Wigginton](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-groomer-in-wigginton) - [Haxby](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-groomer-in-haxby) ### Popular Breeds - [Cockapoos](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/cockapoo-grooming-in-york) - [Labradors](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/labrador-grooming-in-york) - [Cocker Spaniels](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/spaniel-grooming-in-york) - [Golden Retrievers](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/golden-retriever-grooming-in-york) - [Poodles](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/poodle-grooming-in-york) - [Pomeranian](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/pomeranian-dog-groomer-in-york) - [Shih Tzu](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/shih-tzu-grooming-in-york) - [Cavalier King Charles](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/cavalier-king-charles-spaniel-grooming-in-york) - [Bichon Frise](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/bichon-frise-grooming-in-york) - [Miniature Schnauzer](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/miniature-schnauzer-grooming-in-york) - [Cavapoo](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/cavapoo-grooming-in-york) © 2026 Fluffs York All rights reserved [Privacy Policy](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/privacy-policy) [Powered by Atlas - a B2B SaaS HubSpot theme](https://www.kalungi.com/atlas-hubspot-theme-for-b2b-saas-software) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Lucy", "url" : "https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-grooming-tips-and-tricks/author/lucy" }, "dateModified" : "2026-09-22T11:08:00.643Z", "datePublished" : "2026-09-22T11:08:00.000Z", "headline" : "Dog Coat Types Explained: A Groomer's Guide | Fluffs York", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-grooming-tips-and-tricks/dog-coat-types-explained", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/hubfs/Untitled%20(400%20x%20400%20px)%20(250%20x%20100%20px).png" }, "name" : "Fluffs York" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/#organization", "@type" : "LocalBusiness", "additionalType" : "https://schema.org/PetGroomingService", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "GB", "addressLocality" : "York", "postalCode" : "YO32 2TW", "streetAddress" : "Brecks Close" }, "areaServed" : [ { "@type" : "City", "name" : "York", "sameAs" : "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/York" }, { "@type" : "AdministrativeArea", "name" : "Wigginton" }, { "@type" : "AdministrativeArea", "name" : "Haxby" }, { "@type" : "AdministrativeArea", "name" : "Strensall" }, { "@type" : "AdministrativeArea", "name" : "Huntington" }, { "@type" : "AdministrativeArea", "name" : "New Earswick" }, { "@type" : "AdministrativeArea", "name" : "Rawcliffe" }, { "@type" : "AdministrativeArea", "name" : "Poppleton" } ], "description" : "Professional one-to-one dog grooming in York, specializing in hand stripping, puppy grooming, and deshedding.", "geo" : { "@type" : "GeoCoordinates", "latitude" : "54.0156", "longitude" : "-1.0844" }, "hasOfferCatalog" : { "@type" : "OfferCatalog", "itemListElement" : [ { "@type" : "Offer", "itemOffered" : { "@type" : "Service", "description" : "Comprehensive styling, bathing, and clipping tailored to your dog's breed and needs.", "name" : "Full Dog Grooming" } }, { "@type" : "Offer", "itemOffered" : { "@type" : "Service", "description" : "Traditional manual coat removal for wire-haired breeds to maintain natural coat texture and color.", "name" : "Hand Stripping" } }, { "@type" : "Offer", "itemOffered" : { "@type" : "Service", "description" : "Professional undercoat removal for double-coated breeds to reduce shedding and improve skin health.", "name" : "Dog Deshedding" } }, { "@type" : "Offer", "itemOffered" : { "@type" : "Service", "description" : "Gentle 'Puppy Introduction' sessions to build confidence with salon sounds and handling.", "name" : "Puppy Grooming" } }, { "@type" : "Offer", "itemOffered" : { "@type" : "Service", "description" : "Safe and professional nail trimming for canine comfort and paw health.", "name" : "Nail Clipping" } } ], "name" : "Grooming Services" }, "image" : "https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/logo.jpg", "name" : "Fluffs York", "openingHoursSpecification" : [ { "@type" : "OpeningHoursSpecification", "closes" : "17:00", "dayOfWeek" : [ "Monday", "Tuesday", "Wednesday", "Thursday", "Friday" ], "opens" : "09:00" } ], "priceRange" : "£10-£65", "sameAs" : [ "https://www.facebook.com/fluffsyork", "https://www.instagram.com/fluffsyork", "https://maps.app.goo.gl/Er5YVKgijS5ZyRiIa" ], "telephone" : "+447955270459", "url" : "https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/" } ```