Grooming and coat
Why does my dog get poop stuck in the fur around its bottom?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Long or curly hair around the rear end can catch stool as it passes, especially if the hair is longer than the natural clearance, or if the dog has soft or loose stool for any reason. Trimming this area short, sometimes called a sanitary trim, largely prevents the problem in affected breeds.
Coat length is usually the main factor
Breeds with longer or curlier hair around the rear, including many Poodles, Old English Sheepdogs, and long haired terrier types, simply have more hair for stool to catch on as it passes, particularly if that hair has not been trimmed shorter than the body coat in this specific area.
Stool consistency plays a role too
Softer stool, whether from a diet change, treats, or a temporary stomach upset, sticks to fur far more than firm, well formed stool does. A dog that normally has no issue in this area but suddenly starts having trouble may simply be having a few days of looser stool rather than needing a grooming change.
The sanitary trim as the practical fix
A short trim of the hair directly around the anus, done by a groomer or carefully at home with blunt tipped scissors or a small clipper, resolves the issue for most affected dogs and is a standard part of a full groom for longer coated breeds, usually repeated every four to six weeks alongside the rest of the coat.
Key takeaways
- Long or curly hair around the rear catches stool more easily than a short, trimmed area does.
- Softer than usual stool can temporarily worsen the problem even in a dog that is normally fine.
- A short sanitary trim around the anus, repeated every four to six weeks, largely prevents the issue.