Spanish Water Dog grooming: brushing, bathing and shedding
A practical grooming routine for the Spanish Water Dog: coat care, baths, nails and ears.
This coat breaks the usual rules: it should never be brushed or combed. Brushing pulls the natural curls apart and leaves a frizzy mass that felts against the skin. Instead, the whole coat is clipped to a short, even length, typically once or twice a year, or it is grown long and allowed to form cords, which you separate by hand every week or two as they develop so they do not fuse into sheets.
Wash with a mild shampoo and skip conditioner, which softens the curls and encourages matting. Squeeze out the water and let the coat dry naturally or with a cool blower, without rubbing. Dry the ears after every swim, since curly hair and water trap moisture, trim nails every three to four weeks, and clip any hair that falls into the eyes.
Spanish Water 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.
| Task | Planning example |
|---|---|
| Brushing | 2 to 3 times a week |
| Bathing | Every 6 to 8 weeks |
| Shedding | Minimal |
| 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 single, woolly, tightly curled coat that grows continuously and naturally forms cords if left long; it is clipped, never brushed.
Grooming needs
Shedding
Drooling