What coat type does your dog have? How to know.
Understanding your dog's coat type is one of the most useful things you can know as a dog owner. It tells you how often to brush, which tools to use, how frequently they need professional grooming, and — critically — what you should never do to their coat. Here's how to identify what you're working with.
Why does coat type matter?
Different coat types have completely different needs. A curly-coated Cavoodle and a short-coated Labrador both need grooming, but the tools, techniques, frequency, and risks involved are nothing alike. Getting this wrong — using the wrong brush, shaving when you shouldn't, or under-grooming a coat that needs regular attention — causes real problems for the dog's skin and coat health.
The 5 main dog coat types
Double coat
A double coat has two layers: a soft, dense undercoat for insulation, and a longer, tougher outer coat (called the guard coat) that protects against weather and debris. The two layers work together — the undercoat regulates temperature and the guard coat deflects moisture and UV.
How to identify it: Run your hand against the direction of hair growth. If you can see a soft, fluffy underlayer beneath the longer surface hair, your dog has a double coat. The coat will feel noticeably denser than it looks.
Breeds: Golden Retrievers, Labradors, Corgis, German Shepherds, Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, Shetland Sheepdogs, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Samoyeds, Chow Chows, most Spaniels.
Key care note: Double-coated dogs should generally not be shaved. Shaving cuts through both layers at once and disrupts the coat's natural function. The undercoat often grows back faster than the guard coat, which can lead to permanent coat texture changes and reduced ability to regulate temperature. A professional deshedding treatment is the correct approach to managing a heavy double coat — not clipping it short.
Single coat
A single coat has one layer of hair with no dense undercoat beneath. These dogs generally shed less than double-coated breeds (though they still shed) and are often better tolerated by people with mild allergies.
How to identify it: Part the coat and look closely at the skin. If the hair grows in one consistent layer without a fluffy underlayer visible, it's a single coat. The coat will feel lighter and less dense overall.
Breeds: Poodles, Maltese, Shih Tzus, Yorkshire Terriers, Greyhounds, Whippets, Italian Greyhounds, Boxers, Dobermanns, Vizslas, Weimaraners.
Key care note: Single-coated dogs don't shed seasonally the way double-coated breeds do, but their coat keeps growing continuously. Without regular professional grooming, the coat grows long enough to mat — particularly around the face, ears, and legs.
Curly coat
Curly coats are a type of single coat, but they deserve their own category because the curl changes everything about how they mat and how they need to be maintained. The tight curl pattern means shed hair doesn't fall to the ground — it gets trapped within the coat and starts to tangle from the inside out.
How to identify it: Clear, defined curl or wave pattern throughout the coat. Even when freshly dried, the hair forms curls rather than lying flat.
Breeds: Poodles, Cavoodles, Groodles, Labradoodles, Spoodles, Schnoodles, Maltipoos, Bichon Frises, Portuguese Water Dogs, Lagotto Romagnolos, Irish Water Spaniels.
Key care note: Curly coats are the highest-maintenance coat type. Without brushing every 2–3 days and professional grooming every 6–8 weeks, they mat extremely quickly — particularly around the ears, armpits, and collar area. Many Oodle owners are surprised by the maintenance demand; the puppy coat is typically softer and easier to manage than the adult coat that develops between 6–12 months.
Wiry coat
A wiry (or wire) coat has a rough, bristle-like texture that feels almost scratchy to the touch. It sits close to the body and has a naturally broken, harsh appearance — this isn't a coat that's meant to look smooth. Wiry coats were developed in working terrier and hound breeds to resist harsh outdoor conditions.
How to identify it: Run your hand over the coat — it should feel rough and almost coarse, not soft or fluffy. The hairs are typically shorter and stand away from the body slightly.
Breeds: West Highland White Terriers, Border Terriers, Wire Fox Terriers, Schnauzers (Miniature, Standard and Giant), Airedale Terriers, Wire-haired Dachshunds, Irish Terriers, Welsh Terriers, Jack Russell Terriers, Scottish Terriers.
Key care note: Wiry coats are traditionally maintained through hand-stripping — a technique that removes the dead outer coat by hand to preserve the correct texture. Clipping is more practical and common, but it softens the coat texture over time. If your wire-coated breed is a show dog or you want to preserve the classic coat texture, ask about hand-stripping options.
See more about caring for a wire coat
Silky coat
Silky coats are long, fine, and smooth with a natural sheen. They flow easily and lie flat against the body. Unlike double coats, they don't have the bulk of an undercoat — but they're prone to tangling because the fine texture catches easily.
How to identify it: Long, flowing hair that feels smooth and almost glossy to the touch. It parts easily and lies flat rather than standing out from the body.
Breeds: Cocker Spaniels, Afghan Hounds, Irish Setters, English Setters, Yorkshire Terriers, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Silky Terriers, Papillons, Salukis, Long-haired Dachshunds.
Key care note: Silky coats tangle most severely around the ears, chest, and leg feathering. Cocker Spaniels in particular are prone to ear matting and ear infections because the long ear fur traps moisture. Regular brushing with a pin brush and professional grooming every 4–6 weeks keeps a silky coat in good condition.
What if my dog has a mixed or unusual coat?
Many crossbreeds carry coat genes from both parent breeds, and the result isn't always predictable. A Labradoodle might have a loose wave or a tight Poodle curl depending on which genes dominate. When in doubt, bring your dog in for a consultation — identifying the coat type correctly before establishing a grooming routine makes a real difference to the long-term health of the coat.
FAQs
Q: How do I know if my dog has a double coat? A: Part the hair and look at the base. If you can see a soft, dense underlayer beneath the longer surface coat, your dog has a double coat. You can also run your hand against the direction of growth — a double coat will feel noticeably thick and fluffy underneath.
Q: Do all dogs shed? A: All dogs shed to some degree, but the amount and frequency varies significantly by coat type. Double-coated breeds shed heavily, particularly during seasonal coat blows in autumn and spring. Single and curly-coated breeds shed minimally — but their coat keeps growing, which creates its own grooming demands.
Q: Can you shave a double-coated dog? A: In most cases, no. Shaving a double-coated dog disrupts the natural function of both coat layers and can permanently change the coat's texture and ability to regulate temperature. It also doesn't reduce shedding in the long term. A professional deshedding treatment is usually the better approach. That said, there are exceptions — if a vet has recommended shaving for a medical reason, or if severe matting has caused skin issues like hotspots that need to be treated, a shave-down may be the right call. Your groomer can advise based on your dog's specific situation.
Q: Why does my Cavoodle mat so quickly? A: Curly coats trap shed hair within the curl rather than releasing it. Over time, this builds up and tangles from the inside out — which is why Cavoodles and other Oodle breeds need brushing every 2–3 days and professional grooming every 6–8 weeks to stay mat-free.
Q: What coat type is easiest to maintain? A: Short single coats (like a Greyhound or Whippet) require the least maintenance. Short double coats (like a Labrador) are relatively low-maintenance between grooms but shed heavily. Curly coats are generally the most demanding in terms of home brushing and professional grooming frequency.
Not sure what coat type your dog has? Our groomers can help at your first visit — book a consultation and we'll recommend the right routine from there.
