Grooming and coat
How do I grow out my dog's coat after a short clip without it matting?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Brushing more often than the coat currently seems to need, starting from the first week after a short clip rather than waiting for visible length, is the main trick, since the awkward in between length as hair grows out mats faster than either a very short or a fully grown coat.
Why the growing out phase is the hardest
As a clipped coat regrows, there is a stretch, often between six and twelve weeks depending on how fast the coat grows, where the hair is long enough to tangle with itself but not yet long enough to lie smoothly, which is when many owners find matting starts even though the coat looks shorter than it used to.
A brushing schedule that gets ahead of it
Brushing three to four times a week from the very start, rather than waiting until the coat looks like it needs it, catches the small tangles that form during this awkward length before they compound. A metal comb check after each brush confirms the coat is staying clear down to the skin, not just tidy on the surface.
Patience and realistic timelines
Reaching a fuller, pre clip length typically takes six months to over a year depending on the breed and how short the original clip was, and scheduling regular trims during this period to keep the ends even, rather than letting it grow completely untouched, often makes the coat easier to manage the whole way through.
Key takeaways
- The in between length during regrowth mats faster than either a very short or a fully grown coat.
- Brushing three to four times a week from the start of the growing out period prevents most matting.
- Reaching a full pre clip length can take six months to over a year depending on the breed.