Breeds

Dog coat types vary markedly across breeds and produce notably different grooming needs. The molecular genetics is now well-characterised: three main genes — RSPO2, FGF5, KRT71 — interact to produce the major coat variants (wire vs. smooth, long vs. short, curly vs. straight). Double-coated breeds (dense undercoat plus topcoat) shed seasonally and need de-shedding work; single-coated breeds shed more continuously and may need more frequent grooming overall. Wire coats need hand-stripping or specific clipping; smooth coats need minimal grooming; long coats need daily brushing to prevent matting; curly coats need professional grooming. The article walks through the major coat types, the grooming requirements for each, and the common owner mismatches.