What is a Coat Type? The 7 Coat Categories

Chris Christensen revolutionized the grooming industry by categorizing coat types to simplify the process of choosing the best products for each breed. Understanding your dog’s coat type is essential for proper care, ensuring their coat stays healthy, tangle-free, and if you’re a dog show enthusiast, show-ready.

It’s important to use the right tools designed for your breed’s coat, as using the wrong tools can work against you, making grooming more challenging than it needs to be. Our goal is to make grooming as easy as possible for both you and your dog! Using the appropriate tools is key to efficient grooming sessions that keep your pet happy and comfortable! From drop coats to double coats, each coat type has unique grooming needs, and we’ve made it easy to find expert-recommended solutions tailored specifically for them.

Not sure which coat type your dog has, or don’t see your breed listed below?
Visit our Shop by Breed page to explore coat types by breed and find the best match for your dog. If your breed isn’t listed or you’re still unsure, don’t worry—identifying coat type can be tricky! Feel free to send photos of your dog to support@chrischristensen.com, and our team will be happy to help.

The product recommendations below are our recommendations for general at-home maintenance. If you’re a dog show enthusiast and need more specific grooming guidance, we’d love to help—just reach out!

Want to learn more about cat coats? Head over to our dedicated Top Cat Collection with feline coat types! Explore our curated solutions to keep your cat looking purr-fect!

1. Doodle Coats

For the purpose of this blog and to ensure you understand your dog's coat, let's discuss Doodles as a "coat category". Since Doodles are not only a mix of breeds, but as a term 'Doodle' incorporates many mixed breeds, there are actually Doodles of several coat types! This is why we consider them a coat category - overall we recommend products and tools that will help you properly brush the coat and prevent and remove tangles and matts.

For owners of Doodles, especially those prone to matting, preventing matting is paramount (unless you’re okay with a shave-down). It's essential not only to effectively remove mats and tangles but also to do so while minimizing damage to the hair. Maintaining these coats involves using products that add moisture and lubrication to prevent tangles while preserving the coat’s integrity.

Top Recommended Products for Doodle Coats

1. Ice on Ice Shampoo & Conditioner – Use to detangle and reduce matting over time. Argan oil provides moisture, shine and manageability.
2. Big G Slicker Brush or Karben Slicker Brush – Our Big G slicker brush, which you may know as the "coral brush" is the #1 Doodle brush for a reason! You may have seen it on Instagram and TikTok used by Doodle owners all over the world. The unique design - its long, angled pins, soft pin cushion, and brush shape - allow you to brush to the skin and detangle with ease. Use Big G for longer coats and Karben for shorter-medium length coats to help detangle and demat.
3. Ice on Ice Detangling and Finishing Spray – Use with your slicker brush to help cut down on static and moisturize the coat to prevent future matting.
4. 7.5" Medium/Fine Greyhound-Style Buttercomb #000 – Use to check your work after brushing to ensure you’ve removed any tangles or mats (don’t use the comb to take tangles out, use your slicker brush and spray). Use the fine end of the coat to comb through every hair and end up with a nice, fluffy and plush result!

Unsure about which products are best suited for de-matting your canine companion? Explore our expert-recommended selections for Doodle Coats tailored precisely for this purpose!

2. Double Coats

Double-coated breeds are categorized for their insulating undercoat and harsher outer coat. They are well-known for having a shedding undercoat that is important to maintain. For show dogs in particular (but beneficial for all Double Coats!), regular brushing and undercoat removal makes sure that your dog does not "blow" their coat all at once, and the coat stays healthy, even and laying flat and show-ready year round. It is also important to remove dead undercoat to prevent matting, and of course to allow new coat to come in.

There may also be variations within this group, some breeds having more profuse coat than others, and some having longer coat than others. Alaskan Malamutes, Golden Retrievers, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Pomeranians and many more belong to this group. These coats require specific products to manage shedding and maintain coat health.

Top Recommended Products for Double Coats

1. Spectrum One Shampoo & Conditioner – Helps maintain crisp coat texture.
2. Big K Slicker Brush or Karben Slicker Brush – use Big K for longer coats and Karben for shorter-medium length coats to help detangle and demat.
3. Ice on Ice Detangling and Finishing Spray – Use when brushing to prevent coat damage, cut down on static, detangle and help with deshedding.
4. 7.5" Medium/Fine Greyhound-Style Buttercomb #000 – Use to check your work after brushing to ensure you’ve removed any tangles or mats (don’t use the comb to take tangles out, use your slicker brush and spray). Use the fine end of the coat to comb through every hair and end up with a nice, fluffy, and plush result!

Explore all our expert-recommended solutions tailored specifically for Double Coats.

3. Drop Coats

Drop-Coated breeds have a long, flowing, luxurious coats that hang off the body. They may also have coated areas that are not necessarily drop-coated, such as an Afghan Hound or Papillon. Skye Terriers, Bearded Collies, Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers and many more belong to this group. Proper grooming for these breeds focuses on bathing and brushing while promoting coat health and reducing damage. As a pet parent, you may have chosen to keep your drop-coated dog in a shorter haircut. If that is the case, remember that your dog's coat type is still the same, but you may opt for brushing with shorter or medium-length pins.

Top Recommended Products for Drop Coats

1. Spectrum Ten Shampoo & Conditioner – Use to maintain long, flowy coats.
2. Big A Slicker Brush or Karben Slicker Brush - Use Big A for longer coats and Karben for shorter-medium length coats to help detangle and demat. For drop-coated breeds, slicker brushes are primarily used on the feet or for dogs in shorter haircuts.
3. Precious Drop Leave-in Keratin Spray  – Use while brushing to add keratin to the coat and reduce frizz and matting.
4. Oval Pin Brush – Your workhorse for Drop Coats, use 20mm for short coats, use 27mm for medium-length coats and 35mm for longer-length coats.
5. 7.5" Medium/Fine Greyhound-Style Buttercomb #000 – Use to check your work after brushing to ensure you’ve removed any tangles or mats (don’t use the comb to take tangles out, use your slicker brush and spray). Use the fine end of the coat to comb through every hair and end up with a nice, fluffy and plush result!

Unsure about which grooming products to select for your drop-coated companions? Discover our expert-recommended solutions for Drop Coats, crafted precisely for their unique needs!

4. Scissored Coats

Scissor-coated breeds are also known as ‘continuously growing coats’. Like Poodles or Bichons, the hair must be scissored or clipped to achieve the desired look, otherwise it would continue growing at one length. Poodles, Black Russian Terriers, Kerry Blue Terriers and many more belong to this group. This coat type might also be referred to as curly coats. Our recommended products for pet parents of Scissor-coated breeds allow you to keep the coat perfectly brushed and comb, avoid matting, and achieve a perfect look.

Top Recommended Products for Scissored Coats

1. Big G Slicker Brush or Karben Slicker Brush - Use Big G for longer coats and Karben for shorter-medium length coats to help detangle and demat.
2. Clean Start Clarifying Shampoo & After U Bathe Conditioner – Clean Start removes any buildup and leaves you with a fresh “Clean Start” while After U Bathe seals the cuticle and cuts down on drying time.
3. Ice on Ice Detangling and Finishing Spray – Helps prevent damage while brushing, detangles, and moisturizes the coat.
4. 9" Coarse Poodle-Style Buttercomb #004 or 8.5" Jill Teasing Buttercomb #507 – Use our #004 comb with its widely spaced tines to check your work after brushing to ensure there are no more tangles. The wide-spaced tines let you start to comb through thicker coats. Use our #507 comb after the #004 comb (or any another, wider comb) to check for small tangles and to achieve a nice, plush look to the coat. The #507 tines are very finely spaced which helps comb out every single hair!

Unsure about which grooming products to select for your scissor-coated coat types? Find our expert-recommended solutions for Scissor Coats tailored specifically for these breeds! 

5. Setter/Spaniel Coats

Setter/Spaniel coated breeds are an interesting, “combination” coat type. Many of these breeds have a stripped or “carded” jacket (and may also be referred to as “Jacketed Breeds”) and long, flowing furnishings. Some may also have shorter-coated legs and clipped necks and faces. American and English Cocker Spaniels, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Irish, Gordon, English, and Irish Red & White Setters, Salukis, and many more belong to this group. Grooming products for these breeds need to meet the different needs of the undercoated jackets, flowing longer coat, all while encouraging coat health and shine!

Top Recommended Products for Setter/Spaniel Coats

1. Day to Day Shampoo & Conditioner – These moisturizing products are enriched with conditioning and moisturizing ingredients such as colloidal oatmeal, Vitamin E and botanicals to keep the coat healthy and shiny.
2. Big A Slicker Brush or Karben Slicker Brush - Use Big A for longer coats and Karben for shorter-medium length coats to help detangle and demat. The Karben can also be used on the jacket and shorter leg coat.
3. Boar Bristle Brushes - If your Setter/Spaniel coated dog is kept with a natural, carded jacket, our ionic boar and brass bristles brushes help distribute the natural oils and smooth the coat.
4. Precious Drop Leave-in Keratin Spray – Reduces friction and damage while brushing while strengthening the coat with keratin.
5. 7.5" Medium/Fine Greyhound-Style Buttercomb #000 – Use to check your work after brushing to ensure you’ve removed any tangles or mats (don’t use the comb to take tangles out, use your slicker brush and spray). Use the fine end of the coat to comb through every hair and end up with a nice, fluffy and plush result!

Unsure about which grooming products to select for Setter/Spaniel-coated breeds? Explore our expert-recommended solutions crafted precisely for their distinctive needs! This collection for Setter/Spaniels features products designed to bring out the shine in your dog's outer coat and to help with the shedding of the dense, fluffy double coat underneath. We also recommend tools and products similar to our Drop-Coated breeds to maintain the flowing coat of these breeds.

6. Smooth Coats

Smooth-Coated breeds might be overlooked, but we understand the importance of caring for blemishes, staining, dry skin, and more when it comes to our smooth-coated dogs. French Bulldogs, Smooth Fox Terriers, Pointers, Beagles, and many more belong to this group. 

Top Recommended Products for Smooth Coats

1. Miracle Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner – Moisture-rich to add moisture and shine.
2. Boar Bristle Brushes - Our ionic boar and brass bristle brushes help distribute the natural oils and smooth the coat.
3. Silk Spirits Liquid Silk Protein – Adds silk proteins to the coat for shine.
4. Peace & Kindness Spray – Contains colloidal silver to treat sores, odor, and more.

Unsure about which grooming products to select for your smooth-coated companions? Delve into our expert-recommended selections for Smooth Coats, thoughtfully tailored to meet their unique needs with precision and care!

7. Wire Coats

Wire-Coated breeds have a crisp, wiry coat that is maintained by stripping the coat and ensuring we are not using products that will soften the coat. Typically, wire-coated breeds have a stripped jacket, “flat work” on the chest, neck and more, and have furnished legs, beards, skirts, etc. Wire Fox Terriers, West Highland White Terriers, all varieties of Schnauzers, Wire Hair Pointing Griffons, and many more belong to this group. If you are a pet parent of a Wire-Coated breed, you might have your dog in a shorter or clipped haircut. We recommend similar products and tools in these cases, but you might opt for a slicker brush over a bristle brush.

Top Recommended Products for Wire Coats

1. Big A Slicker Brush or Karben Slicker Brush - Use Big A for longer coats and Karben for shorter-medium length coats to help detangle and demat.
2. Boar Bristle Brushes - If your Wire-Coated dog is kept with a natural, stripped jacket, our ionic boar and brass bristles brushes help distribute the natural oils and smooth the coat.
3. Clean Start Clarifying Shampoo & Pro-Line Fair Advantage 2-in-1 Shampoo Conditioner - Clarifies the coat while maintaining the crisp texture. Since wire-coated breeds are typically not bathed with a conditioner, we suggest our conditioning shampoo Fair Advantage for those dogs that do need a bit of conditioning added to the coat – particularly for use in the furnishings.  
4. Just Divine Brushing Spray – Use when brushing to cut down on static without oversoftening.
5. 7.5" Medium/Fine Greyhound-Style Buttercomb #000 – Use to check your work after brushing to ensure you’ve removed any tangles or mats (don’t use the comb to take tangles out, use your slicker brush and spray). Use the fine end of the coat to comb through every hair and end up with a nice, fluffy and plush result!

Unsure about which grooming products to select for wire-coated breeds? Explore our expert-recommended solutions tailored precisely for Wire Coats and their needs!

Choosing the Right Products and Tools for a Happy, Healthy Coat

No two coats are exactly alike, and using the right grooming products and tools for your dog’s specific coat type makes all the difference. Whether you’re dealing with a thick double coat, a curly coat prone to matting, or a sleek smooth coat, selecting the appropriate brushes, shampoos, conditioners, and styling products ensures efficient grooming sessions that keep your pet comfortable and looking their best.

Using the wrong tools or products can make grooming harder than it needs to be—not just for you, but more importantly, for your dog. The right tools work with the coat, not against it, helping to prevent unnecessary tugging, breakage, and discomfort. Grooming should be a stress-free, enjoyable experience that strengthens your bond with your pet while keeping their coat healthy.

At Chris Christensen, we’re dedicated to providing expert-recommended solutions tailored to your dog’s unique needs. Whether you’re a pet owner looking for everyday maintenance or a show competitor striving for perfection, our carefully curated products are designed to help you achieve the best results. Because when you use the right products and tools, grooming becomes easier, faster, and more effective—leading to a happier dog and a happier you!

We’re Here For YOU!

While these are our recommendations, the choice or products ultimately comes down to personal preference and your unique grooming needs. Each Chris Christensen product is designed to produce high-quality results and if you feel that a product isn’t working for you, reach out to us for additional information or recommendations on what to use. The products listed above are for general maintenance but if you are a dog show enthusiast looking for additional recommendations, reach out to us!

If you don’t see your breed listed above, visit our Shop by Breed page to find the perfect product recommendations for your dog’s grooming routine. Identifying coat type can be tricky—if you have any questions, feel free to send pictures of your dog to support@chrischristensen.com, and our team will be happy to assist you!