Hovawart grooming: brushing, bathing and shedding
A practical grooming routine for the Hovawart: coat care, baths, nails and ears.
The coat is surprisingly easy to care for. Brush once a week with a slicker brush and comb, checking behind the ears, the tail feathering and the backs of the legs, where tangles form first. During seasonal shedding in spring and autumn, brushing two or three times a week keeps hair under control.
Bathe only when necessary, as the coat sheds dirt well once dry. Trim nails every 3 to 4 weeks, clean ears if they look dirty, and check paw pads after long walks in snow or on rough ground. Trimming the hair between pads improves grip on smooth floors and stops snowballs forming between the toes in winter.
Hovawart 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.
| Task | Planning example |
|---|---|
| Brushing | Once a week |
| Bathing | Every 2 to 3 months, or when dirty |
| Shedding | Moderate, year round |
| Nail trim | Every 3 to 4 weeks |
| Ear check | Weekly |
| Teeth | Daily brushing; introduce gently and ask your vet if the mouth seems painful |
Coat
A long, slightly wavy, dense outer coat over a light undercoat, shorter on the head and front of the legs.
Grooming needs
Shedding
Drooling