5 Dog Breeds That Are Difficult To Groom: High Maintenance Breeds

Some coats are a weekly wipe-down; others are a part-time job. The most grooming-intensive dog breeds — Poodles, Afghan Hounds, Komondors, Old English Sheepdogs, and Bichon Frises — share a theme: hair that never stops growing, tangles that never stop forming, or cords that take years to master. None of it is optional, either: for these breeds, grooming is skin health, not vanity.

Quick Answer: High-maintenance coats demand brushing every 1–2 days, professional grooming every 4–8 weeks, and real budget — often $1,000+ per year. Skipping it causes matting, which traps moisture against skin and leads to painful sores and infections. If that schedule doesn't fit your life, choose the breed accordingly — and remember that coat quality is also built from the inside, through skin-supporting nutrition.

The 5 Most Grooming-Intensive Breeds

Breed:	The Coat Challenge:	Brushing:	Pro Grooming:
Poodle:	Curly, ever-growing hair that mats near the skin	Every 1–2 days	Every 4–6 weeks
Afghan Hound:	Long, silky, fine — tangles like human hair	Daily during coat transition; several times weekly adult	Regular baths + line-brushing
Komondor:	Corded "mop" coat — cords must be separated by hand and take hours to dry	Hands-on cord maintenance weekly	Specialist knowledge required
Old English Sheepdog:	Dense double coat that mats fast under the fluff	Thorough line-brushing 3–4× weekly	Every 6–8 weeks
Bichon Frise:	Plush double coat; white hair shows everything	Daily	Every 4–6 weeks

What "high maintenance" actually means day to day

Poodles (and poodle mixes like Goldendoodles) don't shed much — the trade is that the coat grows continuously and mats at the skin line if brushing skips the undercoat. Line-brush to the skin, not over the top.
Afghan Hounds carry show-stopping silk that knots on contact with burrs, collars, and couch cushions. Many owners bathe weekly and brush only when clean — dry-brushing snaps the fine hair.
Komondors never get brushed at all — instead, cords are hand-separated so they don't fuse into plates, and bath day is an event: cords hold water and can take a full day to dry completely.
Old English Sheepdogs hide mats under a deceptively tidy surface. The undercoat is where the trouble lives; a slicker brush and a metal comb to the skin are non-negotiable.
Bichons combine a curly outer coat with a soft undercoat — a matting machine that also tear-stains. Daily face wipes and a standing groomer relationship keep them white and comfortable.

Grooming Is Skin Care — and Skin Starts in the Bowl

Matting, moisture-trapped hot spots, and irritated skin are the real stakes of coat neglect — and skin problems are already the single most common reason dogs visit the vet. The outside work (brushing, trims) only half-determines coat quality; the other half is nutrition. Omega-3 fatty acids, quality protein (hair is protein), and complete micronutrition support the skin barrier and coat shine these breeds depend on. If your high-maintenance dog also battles dry, flaky skin or constant itching, the food bowl is the first place to look alongside the grooming table.

Spot & Tango's recipes are built from whole ingredients with omega-rich components, formulated with pet nutritionists to meet AAFCO standards — the inside half of a great coat, portioned to your dog. Take the recipe quiz to build a plan for your dog's breed, age, and coat needs.

The bottom line: These five coats are commitments measured in hours per week and dollars per month — go in with eyes open, keep the schedule sacred, and feed the coat from the inside. Build your dog's plan with skin and coat support included.

Questions about nutrition for coat health? Our customer care team is happy to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the highest-maintenance dog breed for grooming?

The Komondor arguably tops the list — its corded coat requires specialized, hands-on maintenance most groomers never learn, and full drying can take 24 hours. Among common breeds, Poodles and Bichons demand the most consistent lifetime schedule.

How much does professional grooming cost per year?

Plan on $75–$150+ per session at 4–8 week intervals — roughly $600–$1,500+ annually for these breeds, plus home tools. Budget for it as a fixed cost of the breed, like food and vet care.

What happens if I don't groom a high-maintenance coat?

Mats form, tighten, and pull at skin — trapping moisture and causing painful sores, hot spots, and infections that often end in a full shave-down at the vet. Matting is a welfare issue, not a cosmetic one.

Are there low-maintenance alternatives to these breeds?

Short single-coated breeds — Beagles, Boxers, French Bulldogs — need only weekly brushing, though every breed has its own care trade-offs (Frenchies, for instance, swap coat work for skin-fold and diet care).