How often should you bathe your dog? It depends on the breed, and mostly on the coat. Some dogs need a bath every month. Others, like Labs and other double-coated breeds, need one only a few times a year. Bathing too often strips the natural oils a healthy coat depends on.
A Rough Guide by Coat Type
| Coat type | Examples | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Double coat | Labs, Golden Retrievers, Huskies, German Shepherds | A few times a year, as needed |
| Short, smooth single coat | Boxers, Dobermans, Greyhounds | Every 1 to 3 months |
| Long or curly coat that keeps growing | Poodles, Shih Tzus, Doodles | Every 4 to 6 weeks, often with grooming |
| Oily skin or skin folds | Basset Hounds, Bulldogs | More often, plus cleaning the folds |
If your dog has a skin condition, follow your vet's advice.
What I Can Share: A Lifetime with Labs
I've had Labrador Retrievers throughout my life, so that's the coat I know firsthand.
Years ago, before the internet, I was living in Manhattan with my chocolate lab Birch. At the dog run one day I overheard a man talking about his own chocolate Lab, which had the dullest coat I'd ever seen. He said he washed it every day because the dog run got it so dirty.
That stuck with me. I started asking around and learned two things: Labs are double-coated, and soap strips the oils those coats need. From then on, I stopped bathing Birch. After a swim in the ocean I'd rinse him off with fresh water, and otherwise I used dry shampoo when he needed it. I think Birch had a soap and water bath maybe only ten times in his whole life.
What Is a Double Coat?
A double coat has two layers. A dense, soft undercoat insulates against cold and wet, and an outer coat of longer guard hairs, coated in natural oils, sheds water and dirt. Labs, Golden Retrievers, Huskies, and German Shepherds all have one, inherited from their wolf ancestors. That oil is what makes a healthy double coat glossy. Wash it away too often and you get the dull coat I saw at the dog run.
What to Do Between Baths
- Rinse with plain water after the beach, mud, or salt.
- Brush often to spread the natural oils and pull out loose undercoat.
- Use dry shampoo for odor and light dirt.
A Note on Dry Shampoo
When I developed our dry shampoo, I learned that baking soda, a common ingredient, can temporarily bleach a dark coat like Birch’s if there’s too much of it. So we kept it to 10% by weight. If you use any dry shampoo on a dark dog, check the label for that.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should you bathe a Lab?
A few times a year at most. Rinse with water and use dry shampoo in between.
Do Labs have a double coat?
Yes. A dense undercoat for warmth and an oily outer coat that sheds water.
Can you bathe a dog too often?
Yes. Frequent shampooing strips natural oils, leaving the coat dull and the skin dry.
Should you rinse your dog after swimming in the ocean?
Yes. A quick fresh-water rinse removes salt and sand without stripping the coat.
Curious where your dog's coat came from? See which dog breeds are closest to wolves.