How often should I bathe my dog with a long coat?

Read time: 3 minutes

Overview

Most dogs with long coats do best with a bath every 4 to 8 weeks, but some need it a little more often and others less often. The right timing depends on how muddy they get, how much they shed, whether they have skin sensitivity, and how well you can keep the coat brushed in between.

If your dog smells, feels greasy, gets very muddy, or has a coat that mats easily, you may need to bathe them sooner. If their skin is dry or easily irritated, less frequent bathing is often better. There isn't one schedule that suits every long-coated dog.

Things To Check

1. Check whether the coat is dirty, greasy, smelly, or just a bit dusty.

2. Look for mats, tangles, or areas where the coat is pulling on the skin.

3. Check the skin underneath for redness, flaking, soreness, or a musty smell.

4. Think about your dog's lifestyle, including muddy walks, swimming, rolling in grass, or time spent outdoors.

5. Notice whether bathing seems to leave the skin dry, itchy, or uncomfortable afterwards.

6. Check if you're brushing often enough to keep the coat from clumping between baths.

7. Consider whether there is a breed or coat type difference, since some long coats tangle much faster than others.

Common Causes

The most common reason for bathing more often is simple dirt and coat buildup, especially in dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors. Long coats also trap moisture, loose hair and debris more easily, so they can start to smell or mat sooner.

Another common reason is grooming routine. If brushing is not quite keeping up, the coat can look dirty or feel uncomfortable even when the skin is fine. In some dogs, frequent bathing may be needed because they get greasy faster or pick up odours more quickly.

Less commonly, skin irritation, parasites, allergies or an underlying skin problem can make the coat look unclean or cause extra scratching. You usually can't tell the cause for certain just by how often the dog needs a bath, so it's worth keeping an eye on the overall coat and skin condition.

What To Do

Start with a simple routine that matches your dog's lifestyle. For many long-coated dogs, bathing every few weeks is enough if you brush regularly and keep the coat free of tangles. If your dog gets muddy or smelly between baths, spot cleaning and thorough brushing may help you stretch the time between full washes.

Use a dog-friendly shampoo and make sure the coat is fully rinsed and dried, especially in thicker areas where moisture can linger. After bathing, keep up with regular brushing so small tangles do not become bigger mats.

If your dog's skin seems dry or irritated, bathe less often and pay attention to whether a change in routine helps. If the coat is getting dirty very quickly despite normal care, it may be worth reviewing diet, environment, exercise habits and grooming frequency.

Products That May Help

For long-coated dogs, the right wash routine is often about keeping grooming manageable and the coat comfortable between baths. A suitable collection can be useful as part of regular coat and skin care.

Pet Care

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