A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle cross. The most popular dog in Australia and the single most common breed in Adelaide grooming salons. Cavoodles come in three coat types, from soft fleece to tight wool, with the fleece coat the most common. They mat easily without regular brushing, especially around the harness line and behind the ears. The right cut and a consistent grooming schedule make this breed easy. Owners who skip grooming end up with shorter clips than they wanted.

A double coated retriever with a dense undercoat and a longer water repellent topcoat. Goldens shed year round and blow their coat twice a year, in spring and autumn. The coat is not the same as a Lab. Goldens have feathering on the legs, chest, tail, and trousers that needs separate attention from the body coat. Never shave a Golden. The double coat is what regulates their temperature in summer and winter, and shaving causes patchy regrowth that can take years to recover. Regular professional deshedding is the answer, not clippers.

Frenchies have a short single coat that does not mat or grow long, but they have skin folds that need specific care. The wrinkles on the face, the nose rope, and the tail pocket all trap moisture and debris that becomes a yeast or bacterial infection within days if left alone. Daily wiping with a damp cloth and proper drying is essential. Frenchies are also brachycephalic, meaning they overheat fast in Australian summers. A proper groom for a Frenchie focuses on the skin, the folds, the ears, and the nails, not on cutting hair.

Mini Dachshunds come in three completely different coat types: smooth, longhaired, and wirehaired. Each needs a different routine. Smooth coats need a wash, nail trim, and skin check. Longhaired coats need full grooming with feathering attention. Wirehaired coats need hand stripping every 4 to 6 months by a specialist groomer who knows the technique. The bigger issue with this breed is IVDD. Roughly 25 percent of all Dachshunds will experience an Intervertebral Disc Disease episode in their lifetime. Grooming handling matters. A safe groomer always supports both ends of the dog.

The most intelligent dog breed in the world by most measures, and a stubborn presence in the Australian top 10. Border Collies come in two coat types, rough and smooth, both full double coats. The rough coat with feathering on the legs, chest, tail, and trousers is the most common. Both coat types shed exactly the same amount despite the visual difference. Coat blowing happens twice a year. Never shave a Border Collie. The double coat regulates temperature, and shaving can cause permanent damage. Regular professional deshedding plus daily home brushing during coat blow is the answer.

A Golden Retriever and Poodle cross, sometimes called a Goldendoodle. Groodles are larger than most other oodles and need more grooming time as a result. Three coat types: wool, fleece, and hair, with the fleece coat being most common. The bigger body means more hair to brush, more time on the table, and a higher full groom cost than smaller doodles. Groodles love water and the coat can mat fast after a swim if not dried properly. The classic teddy bear cut suits most Groodles. Regular professional grooming plus consistent home brushing keeps this breed easy.

The Labrador has been Australia's family dog for decades. The coat is short, dense, and double layered with a soft undercoat and a coarse weather resistant topcoat. People assume short coat means low maintenance. It does not. Labradors shed enormous amounts year round and blow their coat in spring and autumn just like longer coated breeds. The hair is short and gets everywhere. Regular professional deshedding clears the dead undercoat and is the single most effective thing for both the dog's comfort and your home. Never shave a Labrador.

Staffies have a short, sleek single coat that needs minimal grooming on paper but more attention than owners often give. The skin under the coat is sensitive and prone to allergies, hot spots, and reactions to soaps, plants, and grass. A proper groom for a Staffy focuses on a gentle hypoallergenic wash, nail trim, ear clean, and a careful skin check across the whole body. Most allergic Staffies are diagnosed at the groomer first because we see the early signs before the owners notice. Bath products matter more than for almost any other breed.

German Shepherds are nicknamed German Shedders for a reason. The double coat sheds year round and blows out twice a year. They come in three coat types: stock, plush, and long stock. The long stock coat with feathering on the ears, chest, legs, and panties needs the most attention. Hot spots and skin allergies are common in the breed and hide under the impacted undercoat. Regular professional deshedding clears the dead hair so air can reach the skin and prevents most hot spots before they start. Never shave a German Shepherd.

A Labrador and Poodle cross, the Labradoodle is famously the breed that started the entire designer dog movement. Created in Australia in the 1980s by Wally Conron at the Royal Guide Dogs Association of Australia. Labradoodles come in three coat types: wool, fleece, and hair. Wool and fleece coats are low to non shedding, while hair coats inherit more Labrador genes and shed significantly. The fleece coat is most common and what most owners want. Like other oodles, the coat needs regular professional grooming to prevent matting and keep the soft teddy bear look.