GoldenTrailGrooming that keeps coats, skin and tempers in good shape.
Good grooming is more than a tidy look — it is how you catch lumps, ticks, hot spots and matting before they become a vet visit. This guide walks through coat care by type, brushing, bathing and nails, with the seasonal extras that matter in the Australian climate.
Coat care starts with coat type
Brush a wool coat like a double coat and you will create mats; bath a short coat as often as a long one and you will dry the skin. Tap through the four broad coat types to see what each one really needs.
Low fuss, never no fuss
Short, smooth coats shed more than people expect and still need a weekly once-over. A rubber curry brush or grooming mitt lifts dead hair, spreads skin oils and gives you a reason to run your hands over the whole body and feel for anything new.
- Brush weekly with a rubber mitt or curry comb
- Bath only every 6–8 weeks unless genuinely dirty
- Watch fair-skinned dogs for sunburn on the nose and belly
Matting risk
Grooming time: a few minutes a week. The main job is shedding control and a regular skin check.
Two layers, two jobs
A soft insulating undercoat sits beneath a weather-resistant topcoat. Twice a year these dogs "blow" their undercoat and shed in clumps. An undercoat rake and a slicker brush are your friends — but resist the urge to shave. The coat insulates against summer heat and shields skin from the harsh Australian sun.
- Rake out the undercoat 2–3 times weekly, daily when shedding
- Don't shave — manage heat with shade, water and brushing
- Check the dense coat for ticks and grass seeds after walks
Matting risk
Grooming time: 15–20 minutes, several times a week — far more during the seasonal coat blow.
Beautiful, and quick to knot
Curly and wool coats shed very little, which sounds easy until you realise the dead hair stays in the coat and tangles. Without daily attention, mats form tight to the skin — uncomfortable and a trap for moisture and infection. These coats almost always need a professional groomer every 6–8 weeks alongside your home brushing.
- Brush daily to the skin with a slicker brush and metal comb
- Book a professional groom every 6–8 weeks
- Mind the high-friction spots: armpits, behind ears, collar line
Matting risk
Grooming time: a little every day. Skipping a week is how a manageable coat becomes a clip-off.
Flowing coats that ask for routine
Long, silky coats look effortless but tangle along the belly, the back of the legs and behind the ears. Work in sections with a pin brush, then a wide comb to find hidden knots. Long-haired cats need the same care — short, frequent sessions reduce both matting and hairballs.
- Brush every 1–2 days, working in small sections
- Keep the hair around eyes, paws and bottom trimmed and clean
- For cats, finish on a good note — never force a long session
Matting risk
Grooming time: 10–15 minutes most days keeps the coat flowing and knot-free.
Brushing: tools, frequency, technique
| Tool | Best for | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Rubber mitt / curry | Short, smooth coats | Weekly |
| Slicker brush | Curly, wool & long coats | Daily–weekly |
| Undercoat rake | Double coats | 2–3× weekly |
| Metal comb | Finding hidden knots | After brushing |
| Pin brush | Long, silky coats | Most days |
A comb is the honest test: if it won't pass cleanly to the skin, there is still a knot to work out.
Technique that keeps it pleasant
- Brush in the direction the coat grows, in calm short strokes
- Reach the skin layer — surface brushing leaves mats forming underneath
- Hold the base of a knot and tease it apart, never drag from the top
- Pair brushing with treats and praise so it becomes a good time, not a wrestle
- Stop while your pet is still happy — many short sessions beat one long battle
Bathing, without overdoing it
Most dogs need a bath only every four to eight weeks. Washing more often strips the natural oils that keep skin healthy and can leave it dry and itchy — a common, avoidable problem. When it is time, this is the gentle order of things.
- Step 1
Brush before you wet
Work out loose hair and knots first. Once a knot gets wet it tightens and is much harder to remove.
- Step 2
Lukewarm water only
Aim for roughly body temperature — never hot. Wet from the neck back, keeping water out of the ears and eyes.
- Step 3
Lather a pet shampoo
Use a pH-balanced product made for pets. Massage from neck to tail and keep it clear of the face.
- Step 4
Rinse until it runs clear
Leftover shampoo is a leading cause of post-bath itching. Rinse longer than you think you need to.
- Step 5
Dry thoroughly
Towel first, then air or cool-blow dry. Dry skin folds and between the toes, where damp lingers and irritation starts.
Nail trims without the wrestling match
Overgrown nails change how a dog stands and walks and can curl into the pad. The goal is little and often — a few nails at a time, calm and well rewarded, is far better than one stressful session every few months.
- Find the quick — the pink blood vessel inside the nail. On dark nails, trim tiny slivers until you see a small grey-white circle, then stop.
- Take a little off each nail rather than chasing a short length in one go.
- Reward after every paw, or even every nail, so the clippers predict good things.
- Keep styptic powder on hand in case you nick the quick — a normal, fixable mishap.
If trims are a battle, don't force it
A pet who panics at the clippers won't be helped by being held down — it usually makes the fear worse. Build up slowly with treats for simply touching a paw, and let a vet nurse or professional groomer take over the trimming while you rebuild trust at home. There is no prize for doing it alone.
Hear the click?
If nails click on tiles or floorboards, they are a touch long. That sound is a simple, useful cue that it is time for a quick tidy-up.
Seasonal grooming, the Australian way
Heat, humidity, grass seeds and hot pavement all shape the grooming year here. A few seasonal habits prevent most of the trouble.
Spring & autumn sheds
As days change length, double coats blow undercoat in earnest. Step up brushing for a few weeks to clear it out and keep skin able to breathe.
Summer matting & humidity
Heat and moisture mat curly and long coats fast. Keep them brushed out and consider a shorter pet-clip — not a full shave — through the hottest months.
Hot pavement & paws
If the footpath is too hot for the back of your hand for five seconds, it is too hot for paws. Walk early or late, and check pads for cracks, burns and embedded grass seeds.
Grass seeds & ticks
Through the warmer months, check between toes, in armpits and inside ears after walks. Paralysis ticks remain a serious risk along the east coast — talk to your vet about prevention.
Ears & teeth: small checks, big payoff
Ear care
Floppy-eared and water-loving dogs are prone to ear trouble, especially in our humidity. A healthy ear is pale pink and barely smells. Wipe only the part you can see with a vet-approved cleaner.
- Never push a cotton bud into the canal
- Dry ears after swimming or a bath
- Redness, odour, head-shaking or scratching means a vet visit
Dental care
Dental disease is one of the most common health problems in Australian pets, and it is largely preventable. Daily brushing with a pet toothpaste is the gold standard — start slow and make it routine.
- Use pet toothpaste only — human paste is unsafe to swallow
- Build the habit gently, a few teeth at a time
- Bad breath, drooling or sore gums warrant a dental check
Grooming questions we hear often
For most healthy dogs, every four to eight weeks is plenty. Bathing too often strips the natural oils that protect the skin and can leave it dry and itchy. Brush regularly between baths and just spot-clean muddy paws as needed.
No. Human skin is more acidic than a dog's or cat's, so our shampoos can disrupt their skin barrier. Use a product formulated for pets, and ask your vet about a suitable wash if your animal has sensitive or medicated-skin needs.
Yes — particularly long-haired cats, who mat behind the legs and around the collar line. Regular brushing also reduces hairballs. Most cats much prefer short, frequent sessions to one long one, so finish before they have had enough.
Generally no. A double coat insulates against heat as well as cold and shields the skin from sunburn, and shaving can change how it regrows. Manage summer with brushing, shade and water instead — and speak to a professional groomer about what suits your breed.
Curly, wool and long coats benefit from a professional groom every 6–8 weeks. See a vet for any skin lump, persistent itch, ear odour, sore mouth, or matting that has tightened to the skin — these need a trained eye rather than a home fix.