10 most difficult dog breeds to groom from home.

January 18, 2023 5:21 pm

Have you thought about grooming your dog from home? It sounds like a good idea. You can save money, bond, and even learn a new skill. But for some dog breeds, home grooming can be a real challenge. Here are the top 10 most difficult dog breeds to groom from home (in no order):

  1. Poodle mix/cross

Poodle mixes such as Cockerpoo, Shihpoo, Cavapoo, Labradoodle, and Goldendoodles are known for their difficult coats, which require a lot of maintenance to keep them looking their best. These dogs need regular grooming to prevent tangles and matting, and  to keep their skin and coats healthy. Grooming a poodle at home can be time-consuming and difficult, especially if you don’t have experience with this breed.

According to Avalon Doughty at Bubble and Squeak Animal Grooming ‘Owners don’t realise they need to be brushing with a comb as well as a brush. And they also need to be lifting the coat to brush it to make sure they are getting the undercoat,’ which is why this breed gets a spot on our list.

Lucy Baker from Shaggy and Chic says, ‘Poodle mix/cross breeds must absolutely get groomed, and it’s not easy to do from home’. Because of their possible coat types, extremely curly, wavy and loose, or straight and flowing, it can be hard to understand and keep on top of the tough requirements needed to maintain their coat. It’s recommended that these breeds get brushed 4 – 5 times a week and are taken to a professional groomer every 4 – 6 weeks. For more information on Poodle mixes, you can read our in-depth blog here.

  1. Husky

These beauties have a thick, double coat that requires regular grooming to keep them looking their best.Its dense, waterproof outer coat and soft, insulating inner coat helps to keep them warm in cold weather. Huskies need to be brushed and trimmed frequently to prevent tangles and mats, and their coat should be trimmed to a specific length to maintain their desired appearance. It’s not easy.

Huskies can be difficult to groom at home due to their size and the time and effort it takes to properly care for their coat.  It can be difficult to remove shed fur from their coat without the proper grooming tools and techniques. Tuft Ambassador Joanne Rumming from Jo’s Dog Shedd In says, ‘You need a good blow out of the coat, and Huskys should get regular professional grooming’. It’s also no surprise that Huskies can be complete drama queens if they choose to be, meaning not only are they difficult to trim, but through their very nature, they can be difficult to deal with.

It is important to groom huskies regularly to keep their coat healthy and prevent any potential health issues that may arise from neglecting their grooming needs. While it is possible to groom a husky at home, it can be a time-consuming and challenging task, and it may be more convenient and effective to go to a professional dog groomer for their grooming needs.

  1. Spaniel & Sprocker

These little stunners have two layers of fur on their body. They have the top layer, which protects them and collects debris, and an undercoat which helps keep them cool. They require regular brushing in the direction it grows, including on their chest, around their paws, and under their belly. It’s extremely important to keep on top of knots and mats to remove excess trapped dirt. 

Due to their fun-loving ‘always excited’ nature, these breeds often require regular grooming at home and professionally. Avalon Doughty at Bubble and Squeak Animal Grooming tells us ‘Spaniels can be very stubborn, for example, one of her pooches is the sweetest girl around, however, she doesn’t like to stand for anyone, and she is quite happy being a stubborn little lady’. Tuft’s 2022 top-rated groomer Julian Sandy from Woofterz Dog Grooming says (Spaniels) ‘I love them but they can be one of the hardest breeds to keep still on a table.’ 

As a top tip from Tuft, try taking your Spaniel on a nice long walk before a good home groom. Otherwise, you might need a family member to give you a hand with these little beauts. which is why this beautiful breed makes our list.

  1. Lhasa Apso

These joyful and mischievous dogs have long, thick coats that easily mat and tangle. Regular grooming to prevent tangles and matting is essential to the pets needs.  Grooming a Lhasa Apso can be a time-consuming task, even for experienced dog owners.

You need to be fully prepared to brush these lovely little ones every day to maintain a healthy coat. This breed requires regular shampooing to minimize tangling and must be groomed professionally every 6 weeks. Learn more about grooming Lhasa Apso’s here at Espree.

  1. Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frise has a thick, fluffy double coat that requires daily grooming with a brush and comb to keep it looking its best.

These dogs also have a thick undercoat that can be very difficult to groom at home, especially if you’re a new dog owner. Grooming a Bichon Frise can be time-consuming and requires a lot of patience. This is due to mandatory regular bathing, drying, detangling, trimming, clipping and cleaning.

  1. Maltese

The Maltese has a beautiful long, silky coat that requires regular grooming to prevent tangles and matting. They should be brushed every day if they have a long show coat, or every 2 days with moderate hairstyles. Making them a high-maintenance breed to groom from home,  as it can be very challenging to keep on top of their needs. Grooming a Maltese can be a time-consuming task, even for experienced dog owners.

  1. Yorkie

The Yorkie has a long, silky coat that is high maintenance and requires regular grooming to prevent tangles and matting. These dogs also have a thick undercoat that can be difficult to groom at home. You need to brush your Yorkie at least once per day, twice if you can.

Julian Sandy from Woofterz Dog Grooming says, ‘for some brushing tips, pay particular attention to the ears, legs, tail, and neck where the harness/collar sits’. Grooming a Yorkie can be time-consuming; they are feisty! And requires a lot of patience and attention to detail.

  1. Pekingese

The perky Pekingese has a long, thick coat that requires regular grooming to prevent tangles and matting. These dogs also have a thick undercoat that can be challenging to groom at home. Grooming a Pekingese can be a time-consuming task, even for experienced dog owners.

  1. Wheaten Terrier

Wheaten terriers have a soft, wavy coat that requires regular grooming to keep it looking its best. They need to be brushed and trimmed frequently to prevent tangles and mats, and their coat should be trimmed to a specific length to maintain their desired appearance, which makes them difficult to groom from home. Additionally, Wheaten terriers tend to shed heavily, which can be a challenge to control and manage.

It is important to regularly groom Wheaten terriers to keep their coat healthy and prevent any potential health issues that may arise from neglecting their grooming needs. While it is possible to groom a Wheaten terrier at home, it can be a time-consuming and challenging, and it may be more convenient and effective to go to a professional dog groomer for their grooming needs.

  1. Pomeranian

The Pomeranian has a thick, fluffy coat that requires regular grooming to keep it looking its best. Pomeranians can be difficult to groom at home due to their small size and the time and effort it takes to properly care for their coat. Additionally, their thick coat can be prone to tangles and mats, which can be difficult to remove without the proper grooming tools and techniques. It is important to groom Pomeranians regularly to keep their coat healthy and prevent any potential health issues that may arise from neglecting their grooming needs.

Even though home grooming can be useful to keep on top of your pet’s coat requirements, it’s always best to get regular dog grooming appointments from a professional.  You can find a professional pet groomer near you on Tuft app. Download the app for free today and make sure your dog gets a fur-tastic cut.