Shampoo for Curly and Fluffy Dogs

Why a curly coat mats so quickly

The curl is a fragile structure. Each hair wraps around its neighbours, and a single circular rubbing motion in the shower is enough for the whole thing to knot into a compact mass. That is matting, and it is almost impossible to undo without cutting.

The second trap is drying. A curly coat holds water far longer than it seems, because the curl traps moisture at the heart of the lock. A dog that looks dry on the surface can stay damp at the base for hours, and that is where matting sets in.

The Poodle and the Bichon are the two breeds in this family, and they share something that changes everything: they barely shed. Dead hair does not fall out, it stays trapped in the curl. Hence the importance of brushing, well before that of shampoo.

Which shampoo to choose for a curly-coated dog

The table below gives the product to take according to the state of the curl, not according to the breed. Prices and reviews are shown on each product sheet, just above.

How to look after a curly-coated dog

A curly-coated dog is brushed every day or almost, and that is not negotiable. Since dead hair does not fall out, it builds up in the curl and forms knots that become mats within weeks.

Detangling is always done on a dry dog, never a wet one. Work lock by lock, from the tips towards the skin, with a suitable brush. A knot that has been under water is a knot lost.

For the full routine, from brushing to drying, we have a page dedicated to the complete care of curly coats.

How to avoid matting after the bath

Three moves prevent matting, and they matter more than the choice of product. Detangle completely before the bath. Apply the shampoo without any circular motion. Dry thoroughly, right down to the skin.

Drying is the most neglected of the three. On a curly coat, dry while lifting the lock so the air reaches the base, and check with your fingertips that the skin is dry before you stop. An hour of serious drying beats a detangling session the following week.

Which shampoo for a Poodle

The Poodle has hair that grows continuously and does not shed, which makes it one of the most demanding coats in dogs. It needs a shampoo that softens the curl without weighing it down, so it keeps its spring.

For everyday care, an all-coat shampoo is perfectly fine. On a dry curl or after a clip, move to a more nourishing product. And if your Poodle is white or apricot, a colour shampoo revives the coat between two grooming sessions.

How often should a curly-coated dog be washed

A curly-coated dog is washed more often than other coats, every three to six weeks on average, because the hair does not renew itself and the curl holds dirt.

But frequency matters less than regular brushing between baths. A dog washed monthly and brushed daily will have a far better coat than one washed fortnightly and never detangled.

The shampoo for your breed

If your dog belongs to one of these breeds, its page gives you the selection of products already made for its coat type.

And if you are looking more broadly, our full range of dog shampoos covers every coat type.