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Catahoula Leopard Dog grooming: brushing, bathing and shedding

A practical grooming routine for the Catahoula Leopard Dog: coat care, baths, nails and ears.

Coat care takes only minutes: a weekly once-over with a rubber mitt or bristle brush removes dead hair and keeps the skin healthy. Shedding is light to moderate, with a little more in spring and autumn. Bathe only when the dog is genuinely dirty, which for a working Catahoula may be more often than you would like.

Check feet after work or long hikes, spreading the webbed toes to look for cuts, thorns and burrs. Trim nails every 3 to 4 weeks, inspect ears weekly, and brush teeth regularly. Dogs with a lot of white or pink skin on the nose and ears can sunburn, so give them shade on bright days.

Catahoula Leopard Dog grooming in numbers

This is an illustrative schedule based on our editorial grooming score, not a breed-specific care protocol. Coat condition, skin problems and professional advice may call for a different routine.

TaskPlanning example
BrushingEvery week or two
BathingEvery 2 to 3 months, or when dirty
SheddingLight
Nail trimEvery 3 to 4 weeks
Ear checkEvery 2 weeks
TeethDaily brushing; introduce gently and ask your vet if the mouth seems painful

Coat

Short to medium single coat that lies close to the body and can feel smooth or slightly coarse.

Grooming needs

Shedding

Drooling

Grooming guides for similar-sized breeds