Thinking about the pros and cons of a dog's coat isn't something we generally give enough thought to when looking for a new puppy or dog. Instead we often focus on their personality, how big they might grow or whether they are good with children. But a dog's coat type can have major implications to your lifestyle and as such, is an important consideration to think about when choosing your dog.


All dogs have either a single coat or double coat. However both these types of coat can be further categorized into long, short, wire, woolly, curly and corded with many breeds having a combination of two or more types.

Long coats

Long haired dogs can have double coats or single coats, but either way, all dogs with long coats need daily grooming. While beautiful when properly groomed, they are also the quickest to look scruffy if neglected for too long. Their coats can become muddy or tangled, as well as attracting foxtails and other greenery while out walking, so they may require more baths. They'll also need to have their coats trimmed to prevent them trailing on the ground.

Single coats aren’t particularly functional, providing little in the way of protection against water or the cold so they’ll require extra protection such as a special dog coat in winter. However, single coated dogs with long hair tend to present less of a problem to those suffering from allergies.

Short coats

Breeds with short and smooth coats such as Greyhounds, Dalmations and Bullmastiffs are the easiest to groom and can look their best with only a quick rub down with a grooming glove every couple of days.

Those with a thick double coat have greater protection against the cold during winter, plus their double coat provides a fairly effective water barrier, useful if caught in the rain. However they can shed a lot of fur, especially during the spring and summer months so may pose a greater allergy risk.

Single coated, short haired dogs like the Greyhound usually shed very little hair and are virtually odourless. They're also less likely to cause allergic reactions. However, since dog allergies are generally caused by the dander (shedding of the skin) it's best to check with your breeder if you have concerns. Single coated, long hair dogs also tend to feel the cold and need added protection during winter.

Hairless  

Hairless dogs have the benefit of requiring very little in the way of grooming, plus they stay cleaner, don't smell or attract fleas. And these breeds  pose little risk for allergy sufferers. However, some may require regular oiling of their skin to prevent it becoming dry or scaly. They also feel the cold and will need to wear an extra coat in winter for warmth, plus they'll need to be protected against the sun, especially during the summer months.

Wire coats

Wire-haired dogs have to be groomed daily. In addition to this they'll need to be professionally hand-stripped stripped every three to four months so you'll need to consider the grooming costs. And if they also have long hair they'll also experience the same problems as long haired dogs. On a positive note, the majority of wire-haired dogs, though not all, tend to shed very little.

Curly, woolly and corded

These types of coat need to be groomed most days with breeds such as Poodles needing regular clipping. Poodles and Bichon Frise have a single coat which sheds little hair but they can become cold during winter. They also pose less of an allergy risk.

Corded coats such as that found on the Puli and Komondor are extremely thick and waterproof, keeping them warm and reasonably dry in winter. They also shed very little fur. While they don't require brushing they do need to have their cords separated regularly to prevent matting. And bath time can be a long process as their cords can take hours to dry. Since these coats are also long, they'll attract the same problems as long coated dogs.

Whatever type of coat a dog has, they all have certain implications for their owner. While some coats are easy to maintain, others require hours of grooming. Single coated dogs feel the cold in winter and need extra protection, while double coated dogs often shed lots of fur and may pose more of an allergy risk. Spending a little time before your purchase considering the pros and cons of your dog's coat, could save you from any unexpected or unwelcome surprises later on and help your dog fit easily into your lifestyle and home.