When your dog gets more haircuts than you do, it can start to take a toll on your time, energy, and wallet. If you’re not in a position to own such a pet, read on, as the dog grooming experts at Yell recently ranked the 10 most high-maintenance dog breeds based on frequency and value of their repair needs.
“Some breeds need visits every 4-6 weeks while others may go longer, every 6-8 weeks,” dog groomer Shirelle Moore Yell said. “Woolen coats and long coats should be a maximum of every six weeks. This promotes good coat care, skincare, and can prevent ear infections (cleaning the ears). .”
With this in mind, the study looked at the “total number of dog registrations in the UK by breed in 2022, as well as the population of dogs as pets between 2011-2023.” They then used internal data on the average repair cost, which took into account how often each breed needed to be repaired. (The study reported average annual repair costs in pounds; Best Life these prices were converted to dollars for this article.) For a full list of the highest maintenance dog breeds, continue reading.
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How often the dog should be professionally groomed: Every 8-12 weeks
Average annual maintenance cost: $220
Bulldogs are not too high-maintenance, but according to the American Kennel Club (AKC), their grooming needs aren’t as simple as a haircut and a nail trim.
“Bulldog facial wrinkles need to be checked regularly to make sure the skin is clean and dry, as food or moisture can get trapped and cause irritation or infection,” they explain. “A cotton ball dipped in peroxide can be used to clean out wrinkles, and cornstarch can be applied afterwards to help with drying, although should not be used near the eyes.”
How often should a dog be professionally groomed: Every 4-8 weeks
Average annual maintenance cost: $366
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is another breed that made it onto this list not for its grooming needs. Instead, it is very important to keep their ears clean.
“Clean the ears regularly to remove excess wax and debris, which can cause ear infections,” recommends the AKC.
How often should a dog be professionally groomed: Every 4-6 weeks
Average annual maintenance cost: $387
Even though this breed has a short coat, they can still get “dead or loose hair… which can cause knots or an untidy appearance,” according to Groomers Limited.
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How often should a dog be professionally groomed: Every 4-8 weeks
Average annual maintenance cost: $433
As the AKC says, German Shepherd owners would be wise to invest in a good vacuum cleaner! But kidding aside, this breed does shed quite a bit, especially when it gets its new coat twice a year.
Although you can buy hair removal tools at home, groomers will prepare them and you won’t have to worry about hair all over your house.
How often the dog should be professionally groomed: Every 6-8 weeks
Average annual maintenance cost: $447
Moore points out that Cocker Spaniels love water, which can cause their coats to become matted easily. “Because their ears are long, this breed is prone to ear infections,” he added. “So regular brushing and checking of the ears is advised.”
How often should a dog be professionally groomed: Every 8-10 weeks
Average annual maintenance cost: $459
Golden Retrievers don’t need to be groomed as often, but their visits are expensive, according to the study. Like German Shepherds, shedding is what makes this breed so high maintenance.
“Golds heavily shed their thick, water-repellant double coat once or twice a year, and they also shed more moderately on an ongoing basis,” shares the AKC. “Baths help to loosen dead hair, but the dog must be completely dry before brushing begins.”
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How often should a dog be professionally groomed: Every 4-6 weeks
Average annual maintenance cost: $587
Miniature Schnauzer’s coats are prone to matting and knotting, which is where their grooming needs come into play. Their “beards” also require special attention.
Groomers Limited explains that the traditional method of grooming this breed is to “strip, roll and trim the coat”. It involves special tools and techniques that most dog owners don’t have.
How often a dog should be professionally groomed: Every 2-4 weeks
Average annual maintenance cost: $645
Like regular Bulldogs, French Bulldogs are brachycephalic, meaning they have flat faces and short noses, which cause a lot of breathing problems.
It also means this breed is “known for bad skin conditions,” says Moore. “They should clean their faces daily, comb the coat, and check the skin for any issues.”
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How often should a dog be professionally groomed: Every 2 weeks
Average annual maintenance cost: $1,299
The top two high-maintenance dog breeds should be professionally groomed every two weeks, the study says. Labrador Retrievers land so high because, like Goldens, they tend to shed quite a bit.
Moore says owners of this breed should brush their coats regularly even between grooming appointments, as this is “important to make sure the undercoat is maintained.”
How often should a dog be professionally groomed: Every 2 weeks
Average annual maintenance cost: $1,566
The title of the most high-maintenance dog breed goes to the English Springer Spaniel, another pup prone to knots and tangles.
However, this dog’s specific hair care needs set it apart. “The Springer can be clipped by the owner or taken to a professional groomer for clipping and grooming of the coat, especially the feet, the areas around the head and neck, and under the tail ,” says the AKC.
