How to Identify Your Dog's Coat Type (With Care Tips)

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 17, 20263 min read

Knowing your dog's coat type is the first step in grooming well. The right brush, bath schedule and trim depend on it, and getting it wrong leads to mats, excess shedding or damaged hair.

The main coat types

• Short: Smooth, close-lying hair, as on Beagles and Boxers. See short-coat grooming.
• Double: Soft undercoat plus coarser guard hairs, as on Huskies and Retrievers. See double-coat grooming.
• Curly: Tight spirals or wool, as on Poodles and Bichons. See curly-coat grooming.
• Wire: Harsh, crisp outer hair, as on terriers. See wire-coat grooming.
• Silky: Long, fine, flowing hair, as on Yorkies and Maltese. See silky-coat grooming.
• Hairless: Bare or nearly bare skin. See hairless dog care.
• Corded: Hair that twists into ropes. See corded coats.

How to examine the coat

1. Look at the length. Is it short, medium or long?
2. Feel the texture. Is it smooth, soft, harsh, woolly or silky?
3. Part the fur. Check for a second, softer layer near the skin.
4. Watch the shedding. Heavy seasonal shedding suggests a double coat. Little shedding with loose hair caught in the coat suggests a curly or wire coat.
5. Check the growth. Hair that keeps growing, such as a Poodle's, needs clipping. Hair that stops at a set length does not.

Single versus double coats

Single-coated dogs have just one layer of hair, such as Poodles, Yorkies and Greyhounds. Double-coated dogs have two layers and blow coat seasonally. This matters because double coats should not be shaved. See should you shave a double-coated dog.

Mixed breeds and crosses

Crossbreeds can inherit any mixture. A Labradoodle may have a straight, wavy or curly coat, and some "fleece" and "wool" types mat more than others. Judge by what you feel and see, not the breed name. See Goldendoodle and Labradoodle grooming.

Puppy coats change

Puppy fluff is often softer and shorter than the adult coat. Many breeds go through a coat change, sometimes called the puppy-ugly stage, when mats can appear suddenly. Brush often during this phase. See how to start grooming a puppy.

Matching tools to coat

• Short: rubber curry brush
• Double: undercoat rake and slicker brush
• Curly and silky: slicker or pin brush and metal comb
• Wire: slicker brush, comb and stripping knife
• Hairless: soft cloth and moisturizer

See how to brush a dog properly.

Other signals

Some dogs have special features such as feathering on legs and tail, or a mane. Others have a flat coat that needs little care but a regular brush. If in doubt, ask your groomer or vet.

Common identification mistakes

• Judging by length alone. A long coat can be silky, curly or double, and each needs different care.
• Assuming a fluffy puppy will stay fluffy. Check again at about a year and again at two years.
• Trusting a breed label on a rescue. Shelter breed guesses are often wrong, so go by the coat itself.
• Ignoring seasonal changes. A double coat looks thin during a shed and thick in winter.

When to ask a professional

If your dog's coat feels different from any of the descriptions above, or has changed suddenly in texture, thinness or smell, ask your vet. Coat changes can reflect skin or hormonal conditions as well as simple maturity. A groomer can also tell you at a glance what type you have and which tools and clipper lengths suit it, and a first visit is a good moment to ask. See how to choose a professional dog groomer.

The takeaway

Look, feel and part the fur. Once you know your dog's coat type, choose tools and a schedule to match.