How often should you wash a Labrador

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated January 15, 2025

Contributions sourced from

Bathing and Grooming Your Labrador

All dogs need grooming, but youd be forgiven at first glance for thinking grooming your Labrador will be a quick job. After all, Labradors have a wonderfully easy looking coat. It is short, dense and very waterproof. No tangles to comb out of ears, or fur balls to gather around their legs. But Labradors shed like crazy, and to keep them comfortable and your home relatively fur free you will need to give them a quick brush down at least once a week. During shedding season I groom my Labs daily, although bathing is limited to the times theyve got mucky!

Our guide to bathing and grooming your Labrador will help you to keep your dog clean and fresh, without the fuss. Well explain why your Lab needs grooming and how often, and help you decide when, and whether, your dog needs a bath! Then well take you through the process in simple steps. Well give you clear instructions on what to do, and help you to choose a few essential tools for the job.

How To Groom A Labrador

Grooming your Labrador is easy if your pup is used to being brushed from a young age. Firm brushing with good bristle body brush will remove dried mud, sand and dust from your dogs coat and help distribute the oils through his fur.It may also improve the shine, and he will enjoy the massaging effect of the firm strokes going through his fur.

Sit your dog in front of you, outdoors if they are shedding a lot. Have a pot of treats next to you and pass them one every few seconds if they are nervous or reluctant to stay put.

I usually begin at the base of their body near the tail. Make short gentle pulls downwards with the brush, and after each groom pick out the loose fur that the brush has collected and set it down next to you to dispose of later. Work your way slowly up the body and around their flanks, stopping at the neck as you reach their head. Your Labs face wont need any grooming, and their legs are normally fine to be left, although our particularly hairy chocolate Lab always needs a quick groom around her thighs.

Best Grooming Brush For Labradors

I like a plain body brush intended for horses for a quick daily once over. They usually have a handle strap on the back and if you find one that fits your hand comfortably they are great. For a more intensive brushing I use a slicker brush.

The slicker brush(paid link) gets right into the coat and does a good job of removing dead hair on a daily basis. However, sometimes the dead hair situation calls for a more assertive tool!

You cant stop your dog shedding, but you can reduce the impact on your home by using an efficient rake on his coat during periods of severe moulting. An ordinary brush quickly gets clogged with dead hair and you will struggle to make much progress without a special tool for loosening dead hair.

Deshedding Tools

Our favorite deshedding tool is a Furminator,*(paid link)with spaced metal teeth.

You can also buy a useful tool made by Kong. Its called a Zoomgroom*(paid link) and comes in bright pink or blue.

The Zoomgroom*(paid link) is a sturdy plastic tool with wide spaced prongs. It is a great way to loosen the dead hair so that it falls away easily.

Somewhat more controversial, are special rakes with a blade incorporated. These shedding tools can be very effective if used with care.

How Often Should I Groom My Dog?

You dont need to groom your dog every day if you dont want to, but if you make this part of your daily routine, your dog will get used to the process and benefit from the regular physical contact.

If you dont fancy going into battle with dead hair during the worst of the moulting season, you can always treat your Labrador to a pampering at your local dog salon.

But there are still occasions when your dogs coat will need some additional attention.

Because Labs might be gorgeous, adorable friends. But they are also rather mucky pups.

So lets take a look at the ins and outs of how to bathe a dog.

How Often Should You Wash Your Dog?

There are Labradors that are bathed every week, and other Labradors that are almost never bathed. I tend to bathe my Labs when they get a bit smelly, or if they have rolled in something unpleasant. Something which many dogs have a huge enthusiasm for!

Many Labs take a delight in rolling in disgusting treasures that they happen upon during your daily walks. Dead animals, and fox poo, are some of their favorites. Labradors also love mud. They will go out of their way to find some, especially if you have just bathed them, or had new carpets fitted.

Paddling around in muddy puddles and the edges of boggy ponds can result in a filthy and smelly coat, again a hose down may be sufficient. But sometimes youll need the help of something more powerful than water.

Dog Bathing Schedule

Bathing as and when they need it is absolutely fine for most Labs. But if you want to have a routine thenonce a month is a nice easy schedule for most people to remember. It is a little different with puppies however.

How Often Should You Bathe A Puppy?

If you want to give your puppy a bath, by all means do so. He probably doesnt need one, but its a good idea to get him used to the sensation of being soaked in water and rubbed.

A puppy first bath is something of a rite of passage, but its important not to go overboard. A weekly shower with lukewarm water, will make sure that when he really needs a bath later on, you wont have a fight on your hands!

Puppy Shampoo and Dog Shampoo

When you bathe your puppy, use a specially designed puppy shampoo or adult dog shampoo labelled as safe for puppies*(paid link) from 8 weeks.

This wont be as strong and will be kind to your puppys skin and her coat.

It is not a good idea to shampoo your older Labrador regularly unless you really need to. Especially in the winter. This is because the shampoo strips out the natural oils and reduces the waterproofing and cold repellent qualities of his double coat.

Best Shampoo For Dogs

I have used a variety of shampoos on my dogs. The main thing is to avoid shampoos intended for human adults. They will sting like crazy if you get them in your dogs eyes, and hell run a mile next time he sees the bath towels coming out! Your alternative option is to make your own shampoo.

How To Bathe Your Dog With A Hose

Labradors dont mind cold water when the weather is fine. This means the most of the time if hes got a bit mucky you can hose him down in the back yard.

But if your Labrador is not fit for human habitation after a hosing down, a good shampooing*(paid link) will be necessary too.

You can do this in nice weather, outside in the backyard too.

Have a couple of large towels ready before you begin. Because it is so waterproof, it is not easy to get a Labradors coat wet.

Do your best and work some shampoo*(paid link) into the coat. Use a glob the size of a coin, and rub with your fingers working it into the coat. Especially where he is mucky. Then hose her down and repeat.

The second time will be easier as you have broken down the oils in the dogs coat. Work up into a good lather and rinse very thoroughly. Remember that dogs lick their coats so thorough rinsing is particularly important.

Putting Your Dog In A Bath Tub

Although outdoor bathing is fine in the warmer months, in the cold weather you will need to bathe your Lab indoors. Lay a few towels on the floor to walk him to the bath room, and lift him into the tub.

Dont let him leap in and out, as when the tub is wet he could slip and hurt himself. Use a shower nozel to rinse and wash just as you would in the back yard.

Portable Pet Shower

A portable pet shower*(paid link) is great if you live in an apartment that doesnt have a traditional bath tub.

It has a moveable shower spray unitthat doesnt need fixing to a fawcet, it simply comes with a reservoir that you fill. You also dont need to do it in the bathroom, as the mess from it is really minimal.

Just choose a room with a wipe clean floor if possible, and stand away from the furniture. The mechanism is similar to a carpet shampooing machine, and it makes a similar level of noise to a vacuum cleaner.

Booster baths

If you suffer from a bad back, you may want to consider a booster bath* (paid link)for your dog. They save you bending over for ten minutes at a time and eliminate any problems you might have leaning down for a prolonged period.

These are also useful if you struggle to lift your dog, or if they have joint problems.

You can use a dog ramp* to go with the tub so there is no lifting involved.

Dryingyour dog

To towel dry your dog you will need two dog towels*(paid link). Towel dry until your first towel has absorbed as much water as it can, then move on to towel number two.

(paid link)

Dog towels are specially designed to copy with the kind of water loss that a dogs coat usually produces.

Another great option is a dog dryer*(paid link). These are basically hair dryers for dogs.

Make sure you keep your hand moving through the fur in the area where you are directing the blast of air to ensure the temperature isnt too high.

Specially made dog dryers are designed to work well on thick coats like your Labs.

Affiliate link disclosure: Links in this article marked with an * are affiliate links, and we may receive a small commission if you purchase these products. However, we selected them for inclusion independently, and all of the views expressed in this article are our own.

The Labrador Site Founder

Pippa Mattinson is the best selling author of The Happy Puppy Handbook, the Labrador Handbook, Choosing The Perfect Puppy, and Total Recall.

She is also the founder of the Gundog Trust and the Dogsnet Online Training Program

Pippa's online training courses were launched in 2019 and you can find the latest course dates on the Dogsnet website

How Often Should You Wash A Labrador (Grooming Guide)

The answer to this question depends on a few factors. If your Labrador is an outdoor dog or tends to find ways to get dirty around the house, then weekly or biweekly baths may be necessary.

On the other hand, if your Labrador is an indoor dog and is not prone to excessive shedding or dirt, then once a month should be sufficient. However, the primary concern for most Labrador owners is typically excessive shedding.

Because they dont spend as much time grooming themselves as other breeds, they tend to build up dirt and debris in their fur. Regular baths help to keep this build-up at bay and can also be used to check for fleas and ticks.

If your Labradors coat is shorter or is not prone to excessive shedding, a monthly bath should suffice. This may be necessary if your Lab has an outdoor kennel or spends a significant amount of time outdoors.

A monthly bath should be sufficient for most dogs. However, a monthly bath may not be enough if your Labrador is prone to excessive shedding or has a longer coat.

Besides a bath, there are other essential grooming requirements for labradors too. This includes:

Monthly baths
Weekly coat brushing
Bi-Monthly Nail Trimming
Weekly Teeth Brushing

How To Bathe And Groom A Labrador

To bathe and groom a Labrador, you must use shampoo and conditioner. You should have all materials handy like a brush and towel too.

Follow these steps to bathe your Labrador efficiently.

1. Place Your Dog In The Tub

First, you need to place your dog in the tub. We recommend avoiding sinks or smaller tub areas because they can get messy.

Plus, it is best to let your dog get used to the primary tub for bathing because as they grow, this will be the most comfortable place for grooming needs.

2. Wet Your Dogs Coat With Warm Water

Start by using warm water to wet the coat of your dog. If you have a wand in your tub, this works best. You can also use small plastic containers to pour water to get them wet.

Dont fill the tub up with much water, either. This can only create a mess and make it difficult for your dog to sit still.

3. Gently Massage Coat With Shampoo

Next, you can begin applying shampoo to your dogs coat. Be gentle and massage it all over their back, head, and belly. Some recommend using shampoo twice, but this is up to you as the owner.

Conditioner is also recommended but optional. We recommend using them simultaneously because it is easier to rinse your dog once.

Washing your dogs face should be done carefully. It is recommended to use a face cloth with soap to do this instead of rubbing shampoo all over.

4. Rinse & Scrub Your Dog

After you finish shampooing, start rinsing your dog off. While rinsing the coat, use your hands to scrub a bit to make sure no shampoo gets left behind or stuck in the thick Labrador fur.

5. Dry Dog With Towels Or Dryer

Finally, you are finished washing your Labrador. Use multiple towels to dry them off, or you can invest in an electric or blow dryer to accomplish this.

Tips For Washing And Grooming A Labrador

Getting your dog to behave for baths and grooming is not easy for beginners. If youve decided to go ahead and wash your Labrador, then some tips can help make things easier.

Use Two Towels To Dry Your Dog

The size of your Labrador matters, but if they are at least six months old, you likely need to use two towels to dry your dog after a bath. This is faster and easier, so they don't run off on you.

You can also opt for an automatic dryer as well. This is a bit more expensive, but it will be much faster than using towels, and after the first few times, your dog will get used to it.

Avoid Unhealthy Shampoos

When washing your Labrador, it is not recommended to use shampoos intended for humans. They may contain toxic chemicals that can harm your pet.

Shampoos for dogs are available at pet stores and online. Always check the ingredients before using these products on your dog.

It is vital to wash the shampoo out of the coat after each use because it can cause skin irritation in sensitive areas like ears and eyes.

Use Treats To Help Your Labrador Learn Proper Bathing Behavior

Teaching your dog how to get washed and groomed is another crucial step. This can be done by using treats when getting your dog to sit, stay, and obey during the process.

You can treat the bathing procedures similarly to obedience training. If your labrador hasn't been trained yet, getting them to behave could be more difficult.

Benefits of Labrador Bathing And Grooming

Labrador bathing and grooming is necessary pet care that helps keep your dog looking its best. Creating and sticking to a regular bathing and grooming routine is important and provides key benefits.

Removes Excess Fur To Reduce Shedding

Labs shed a lot of fur, which can be pretty tricky to clean up. Bathing your dog regularly will help reduce the amount of fur left around the house.

It will also help with skin and coat health and make it look more attractive. Some people bathe their dogs once a week, while others do so daily to keep their dog's coat healthy and clean.

Helps With Allergies

Bathing and grooming your Labrador is beneficial because it will help with allergies for anyone allergic to dogs in your home.

This is because of the amount of dander. Regular washing allows for better management, so you can see allergy symptoms decline with regular grooming routines.