Types of Dog Coat

Do you ever wonder how many types of dog breed in the world? Watch a dog show on television or YouTube, and you’ll see there are hundreds of different types of dog breed that vary from sizes, colors and shapes.

Understanding your dogs coat type will help you when it comes to grooming and knowing what products are best to use. We can divide dog coat types as below:

(1) Short-Coated

Short-coated (or smooth-coated) breeds have smooth, short hair that lies close to the body. Short-coated breeds are very easy to groom. A quick once-over with a bristle brush and groom it a few times a week will keep a short-coated breed looking good, which is quite ideal for pet parents who don’t have a lot of time. Groom it a few times a week can help get rid of excess hair.

Examples of short-coated breeds: Bullmastiff, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Mastiff, Rottweiler, Australian Cattle Dog, Belgian Malinois, Canaan Dog, Doberman Pinscher, Greyhound, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Curly-Coated Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Parsons Russell, Basset Hound, Beagle, Black and Tan Coonhound, Bloodhound, American Foxhound, English Foxhound, Harrier, Chinese Shar-Pei, Pug.

(2) Long-Coated

Long-coated dogs usually showcase the most dramatic coifs - their hair can reach the floor! Dogs with long coats require regular grooming to keep them neat and free of mats. Brushing or combing is required at least three times a week; otherwise mats, knots and tangles will definitely form. If coat is not brushed or combed frequently, it will cause poor air circulation to the skin which in turn will become inflamed and/or infected. Owners of long-coated dogs, who don’t show their dogs or don’t have time to frequently brushed or combed their dogs, often choose to crop the fur short into a puppy cut for easy caring.

Examples of short-coated breeds: Afghan Hound, Bearded Collie, Briard, Old English Sheepdog, Lhasa Apso, Lowchen, Tibetan Terrier, Havanese, Maltese, Shih Tzu, Silky Terrier, Skye Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier

(3) Medium-Coated

Medium-coat dogs have slightly longer hair than short-coated dogs. Compared to long-coated dogs, medium-coated dogs still require a moderate amount of brushing because mats are still able to form in their short coats. It’s ideal to take care of this type of coat by brushing every other day with a bristle or pin brush.

Examples of short-coated breeds: Airedale Terrier, Alaskan Malamute, American English Coonhound, American Eskimo Dog, American Water Spaniel, Australian Shepherd, Australian Shepherd, Bearded Collie, Bedlington Terrier, Belgian Tervuren, Bichon Frise, Black Russian Terrier, Border Collie.German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers.

(4) Curly/Wavy-Coated

This coat type is soft, curly, wavy or fleecy. Wire coats have a harsh, wiry outer layer of rough hair. Curly-coated breeds have hair ranging from soft waves to tight curls. Curly or wavy coat is also considered non-shedding. Yet regular brushing or combing is required. Doing this at least three times a week can effectively prevent knots, tangles, mats from forming. Regular baths and trimming are also required to keep it maintained and healthy. You should use color-specific shampoo depending the coat color of the dog.

Examples of short-coated breeds: Afghan Hound, Bedlington, Bichon Frise, Bouvier des Flandres, Havanese, Irish Water Spaniel, Kerry Blue Terrier, Lhasa Apso, Lowchen, Maltese, Old English Sheepdog, Portuguese Water Dog, Silky Terrier, Skye Terrier, Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier, Tibetan Terrier, Poodle, Yorkshire Terrier.

(5)Hairless

You may also have seen dogs without hair - or with little hair that can easily considered as hairless. Hairless dogs are popular among dogs often suffer from allergy as hairless dogs lack of fur and have less pet dander. These breeds, which are more exposed to the harsh rays of the sun than breeds with fur, require extra protection from the weather. Hairless dogs also needs special skincare routines to prevent dry skin. They must also wear a dog jacket when going outside in winter for even a shot walk.

Examples of hairless breeds: American Hairless Terrier, Chinese Crested Dog, Ecuadorian Hairless Dog (Perro calvo dorado ecuatoriano), Mexican Hairless Dog (Xoloitzcuintli), Peruvian Hairless Dog.