Labrador Retrievers are friendly, active and usually happy to get wet, which makes them easy to bathe and quick to get dirty. Their coat looks short and simple, but Labs are well known for shedding. With the right weekly routine you can keep your Lab's coat healthy and your floors a lot cleaner.
- Coat type: Short coat, heavy shedder
- Routine: A bath every 6 to 8 weeks works for most Labs, plus a rinse with fresh water after swimming in a pool, lake or ocean.
- Key tools: Rubber curry brush or grooming mitt, deshedding tool, bristle brush
What kind of coat does a Labrador Retriever have?
Labs have a short, dense double coat: a soft, water-resistant undercoat under a straighter outer coat. That undercoat is why they shed so much, especially during seasonal coat changes, when it can come out in handfuls. Even though the coat is short, it should not be shaved.
Coat type, more than breed name, is what decides how often a dog needs a bath, a brush or a haircut. Mixes and individual dogs vary, so treat the schedule below as a starting point and adjust it to your dog's lifestyle, skin and how quickly the coat gets dirty or tangled.
How often should you groom a Labrador Retriever?
A bath every 6 to 8 weeks works for most Labs, plus a rinse with fresh water after swimming in a pool, lake or ocean. Brush 2 to 3 times a week, and daily during heavy shedding seasons. Trim nails every 3 to 4 weeks and check ears weekly, especially after swimming. A professional bath and deshed every 6 to 8 weeks helps a lot during shedding season.
How to bathe a Labrador Retriever at home
- Brush with a rubber curry before the bath to remove loose hair; there is a lot of it.
- Wet with lukewarm water all the way to the skin.
- Massage the shampoo in with a rubber curry in circles. This loosens even more dead hair.
- Rinse very well, since short dense coats hold onto suds.
- Towel-dry thoroughly; a cool dryer helps blow out extra loose hair.
- Finish with a bristle brush once dry for shine.
Always use a shampoo made for dogs; human shampoo is formulated for a different skin pH. Keep water out of the ears, and give a treat at the end so bath time stays positive.
Brushing routine
Start with a rubber curry brush to loosen dead hair, follow with a deshedding tool used gently for a few minutes, and finish with a bristle brush. Doing it outside saves on cleanup.
Short, frequent sessions beat one long struggle. Two to ten minutes, a few times a week, keeps most coats in good shape and gives you a chance to spot skin problems, lumps, ticks or sore spots early.
How much does a Labrador Retriever shed?
- Shedding level: Heavy, even though the coat is short. Labs shed year-round and blow their undercoat during seasonal changes, when it comes out in handfuls.
- Compared with other breeds: Labs shed about as much as Golden Retrievers. Lab hair is short and stiff, so instead of tumbleweeds it weaves into fabric, car seats and dark clothes.
- In South Florida: Warm weather and air-conditioned homes mean many dogs never get two clean shedding seasons. They shed steadily all year, with smaller peaks around March to May and September to November.
- During a coat blow: During a coat blow, a rubber curry used for a few minutes outside will pull out a surprising amount of undercoat. Do it every day or two for a few weeks.
How to keep Lab shedding under control: A rubber curry and a few gentle minutes with a deshedding tool once or twice a week, a bath where you massage the shampoo in with the curry, and a cool blow-dry to push out loose hair do most of the work. Shaving doesn't reduce shedding and removes the coat's sun protection. Bald patches, red or flaky skin, constant scratching or a sudden jump in shedding are not normal seasonal shedding, so check with your vet.
Step-by-step help: How to Deshed a Dog at Home, Dog Shedding Season in Florida and Can You Shave a Double-Coated Dog?. Want a brushing and bath schedule matched to your dog's coat? Take the 1-minute Pawfile quiz. Or skip the guesswork: Mango's Grooming Calendar & Checklists ($7.99, printable PDF) maps out brushing and baths week by week through every coat blow, and Mango's Starter Kit ($19.99) adds the step-by-step brushing guide. In Boca Raton? Book a bath at our Boca salon before the next coat blow and get $10 off your first groom with code PAWFILE10 (teeth brushing and nails are always included).
Labrador Retriever grooming styles: what a good trim looks like
Labradors don't get haircuts. The Lab "style" is the short, natural double coat kept clean and deshedded, so it lies flat and shines. Most Labrador grooming before-and-after photos show a bath, a thorough deshed and a nail trim, not a cut, and the difference in shine and shedding can be big.
- Natural deshed (the standard look): bath, a deshedding treatment with a rubber curry and deshedding tool, and a full blow-dry to push out loose undercoat. Same look for males and females.
- Tidy feet: trim any hair sticking out between the pads so the feet look neat and grip better on tile.
- Tail and "otter" outline: at most, a light tidy of stray hairs on the underside of the tail. A Lab's thick otter tail shouldn't be thinned or cut short.
- Sanitary trim: a short, neat trim under the tail if needed. It doesn't change the look.
- No summer cut: a "Lab haircut for summer" doesn't keep a Lab cooler. Regular deshedding does the job, because it lets air reach the skin while the coat still blocks the sun.
What to avoid: a shave-down or short summer cut. Shaving a double coat doesn't keep the dog cooler or reduce shedding, takes away protection from sun and heat, and can make the coat grow back patchy or uneven. Most groomers will only shave a double-coated dog when the coat is badly matted or a vet asks for it. More in Can You Shave a Double-Coated Dog?
To keep that brushed-out look between grooms, Mango's Between-Visits Brushing Guide ($14.99, printable PDF) shows the line-brushing method for thick double coats step by step, and Mango's Starter Kit ($19.99) adds a week-by-week grooming calendar.
Fitting the routine into your week
A weekly five-minute brush, done outside, handles most of the shedding. During spring and fall coat changes, brush every day or two for a few weeks. Pair grooming with the things your dog already loves, such as a walk or a treat, and make nail trims a monthly calendar event so they are never forgotten.
Tools you'll need
- Rubber curry brush or grooming mitt
- Deshedding tool (use gently, no more than recommended)
- Bristle brush for shine
- Dog shampoo
- Nail clippers or a grinder
- Ear cleaner recommended by your vet
Tools from the Pawradise shop: Deshedding Massage Glove · Quiet Electric Nail Grinder
Mango's guides: a happy coat between grooms
Printable PDF guides from our groomers, with Mango as your coach. Instant download after checkout, anywhere in the US. English and Spanish editions included.
- Mango's Starter Kit: Brushing Guide + Calendar · $19.99 (best value)
- Mango's Between-Visits Brushing Guide · $14.99
- Mango's Grooming Calendar & Checklists · $7.99
Common Labrador Retriever grooming mistakes
- Thinking short means low-maintenance. Short coats can shed a lot. Weekly brushing makes a real difference in your home.
- Overusing deshedding tools. Pressing hard or using them daily can irritate skin. A few minutes, gently, is enough.
- Shaving to stop shedding. It does not stop shedding and removes natural sun protection.
- Leaving ears wet after swimming. Labs love water, and floppy ears trap moisture. Dry the ears after swimming and ask your vet about a drying ear cleaner if infections are a pattern.
Labrador Retriever grooming FAQ
What is the best grooming style for a Labrador Retriever?
The natural coat, bathed and fully deshedded, with tidy feet and nails trimmed. Labradors don't need a haircut, and shaving isn't recommended unless your vet asks for it.
Do Labradors shed a lot?
Yes. Labs have a dense undercoat and shed year-round, with heavier shedding during seasonal changes. Regular brushing is the best way to manage it.
Should I shave my Labrador in summer?
No. The double coat helps regulate temperature and protects the skin. Brushing out the loose undercoat is what actually helps them stay comfortable.
How often should I bathe a Lab?
Every 6 to 8 weeks is a good starting point, more often if they roll in something. Rinse after swimming.
What is the best brush for a Labrador?
A rubber curry brush plus a deshedding tool covers most needs. Add a bristle brush for shine.
How often should I bathe a Labrador Retriever puppy?
Puppies usually need fewer baths than adults: bathe only when dirty, with a gentle shampoo made for dogs, and keep them warm until fully dry. Use short, positive sessions to get them used to water, brushing, nail trims and the dryer. Ask your vet when your puppy is ready for a professional groom.
Can I groom a Labrador Retriever at home?
Yes, most of the routine can be done at home: brushing, baths, ear checks and nail trims. Short coats rarely need a professional, though a groomer can help with nails if your dog resists.
How much does it cost to groom a Labrador?
It depends on the salon and the service. Labs are large dogs, but their short coat doesn't need a haircut, so a bath and deshed usually costs less than a full groom for a long-coated dog of the same size. A professional bath and deshed every 6 to 8 weeks, especially in shedding season, keeps the hair around your home down. See what affects dog grooming prices. New to our Boca Raton salon? Get $10 off your first groom with code PAWFILE10 (teeth brushing is always included).
This guide offers general grooming information. For skin, ear or coat problems that don't improve, talk to your veterinarian. More Pawfile breed guides.