Your dog's coat type, more than its breed name, decides how often it needs a bath, how much it sheds, whether it needs haircuts and which brush actually works. Mixed breeds, doodles and rescues make this tricky: two dogs of the same "breed" can have completely different coats. Below are the seven coat types we use at Pawfile, each with an illustration, how to recognize it and what it means for grooming.
Get your dog's personalized routine — take the free 2-min quizStart the Pawfile quiz →Not sure which one matches your dog? That is exactly what the free quiz is for: answer a few questions about coat, size, age and lifestyle and get a personalized bath, brush and haircut routine.
Double coat
A soft, dense undercoat under longer guard hairs. Sheds heavily, especially in spring and fall. Never shave it.
Examples: Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Husky, Corgi, Pomeranian
Typical routine: Bath and deshed every 6 to 8 weeks; brush 2 to 3 times a week.
Guides: Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Australian Shepherd
Curly / wool coat
Tight curls or springy waves that keep growing. Sheds little but mats easily.
Examples: Poodle, Goldendoodle, Bichon, Cavapoo, Maltipoo
Typical routine: Haircut every 4 to 8 weeks; line brush several times a week.
Guides: Poodle, Goldendoodle, Cavapoo, Bernedoodle
Silky / long coat
Fine, flowing hair that grows long and tangles at friction points.
Examples: Shih Tzu, Yorkie, Maltese, Havanese, Cocker Spaniel
Typical routine: Groom every 4 to 6 weeks; brush often, clean the face daily.
Guides: Yorkshire Terrier, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Shih Tzu, Havanese
Wire coat
Harsh, bristly outer coat, often with a beard, eyebrows and leg furnishings.
Examples: Miniature Schnauzer, terriers, wirehaired Dachshund
Typical routine: Clip or hand-strip every 5 to 8 weeks; comb the beard daily.
Guides: Miniature Schnauzer
Short coat, heavy shedder
Short and dense, often with an undercoat. Looks easy, sheds a lot.
Examples: Labrador, Beagle, Pug, Rottweiler
Typical routine: Bath every 4 to 8 weeks; rubber curry brush weekly.
Guides: Labrador Retriever, Beagle, Rottweiler, German Shorthaired Pointer
Short coat, light shedder
Short, smooth, close-lying hair with light shedding.
Examples: French Bulldog, Boxer, Chihuahua, smooth Dachshund
Typical routine: Bath every 4 to 10 weeks; focus on nails, ears and folds.
Guides: French Bulldog, Dachshund, English Bulldog, Chihuahua
Hairless
Little or no hair; the skin needs the care instead of a coat.
Examples: Xoloitzcuintli, Chinese Crested, American Hairless Terrier
Typical routine: Wash every 2 to 4 weeks; protect from sun and cold.
Guides: Xoloitzcuintli
How to identify your dog's coat at home
- Part the hair on the back or neck. If you see a soft, dense, fluffy layer under longer guard hairs, it is a double coat.
- Look at the texture. Tight curls or springy waves point to a curly coat; fine, flowing hair to silky; harsh, bristly hair with a beard and eyebrows to wire.
- Check the length. Short, close-lying hair is a short coat. Then ask: does it leave a lot of hair on the couch (heavy shedder) or very little (light shedder)?
- Watch it grow. Coats that keep growing and need haircuts are usually curly or silky. Coats that stop at a set length usually shed instead.
Puppies can be misleading: many doodles and some long-coated breeds change texture between roughly 6 and 12 months. If your puppy's coat starts matting suddenly, it may be transitioning.
Why coat type matters more than breed
A Goldendoodle with a curly coat needs Poodle-style care, while one with a straight coat grooms more like a Golden Retriever. A long-haired Dachshund needs a pin brush, while a smooth one needs a rubber mitt. Building the routine around coat type avoids the two most common mistakes: shaving a double coat and skipping the brushing a curly coat needs.
Get your dog's personalized routine — take the free 2-min quizStart the Pawfile quiz →Dog coat types FAQ
How many dog coat types are there?
Groomers describe them in different ways, but most coats fall into a handful of groups. Pawfile uses seven: double, curly, silky, wire, short heavy-shedding, short light-shedding and hairless.
How can I tell if my dog has a double coat?
Part the hair down to the skin. A soft, dense undercoat beneath longer outer hair means a double coat. These coats usually shed heavily in spring and fall.
Which dog coat type sheds the least?
Curly, silky and wire coats generally shed less, and hairless dogs shed almost nothing. Low shedding usually means more brushing and regular haircuts.
Can a mixed-breed dog have more than one coat type?
Yes. Mixes can land anywhere between their parents' coats, which is why the quiz asks about the coat itself instead of only the breed.
This guide offers general grooming information. For skin, ear or coat problems that don't improve, talk to your veterinarian. More Pawfile guides.