Dog Coat Types Explained: Complete Guide to All Seven Types

Introduction

You would not use the same shampoo on straight hair and curly hair. The same principle applies to your dog. Understanding dog coat types is the foundation of successful at-home grooming , and it starts with knowing exactly what you are working with.

At FurHQ, we have identified seven distinct dog coat types that cover the vast majority of dogs. Each has specific characteristics that make identification straightforward once you know what to look for. Whether you have a sleek Boxer, a fluffy Samoyed, or a curly Goldendoodle, this guide walks you through everything you need to identify your dog's coat type in minutes.

Professional groomers identify dog coat types instantly because they know the markers. By the end of this guide, you will have that same knowledge. And if you want the answer immediately, the FurHQ AI Coat Identifier matches your dog to the correct coat type from a photo.

Why Coat Type Is the Starting Point for Everything

When grooming feels overwhelming, it is rarely because owners are not trying. It is usually because no one ever explained how dog coat types work and why one routine never fits every dog.

A dog's coat type is determined by genetics. It dictates how the coat grows, how it sheds, how easily it mats, how it responds to moisture, how it regulates temperature, and which tools actually work versus which tools cause damage. Professional groomers do not guess. They identify the coat type first, then build the entire grooming approach around it.

Knowing your dog's coat type helps you prevent painful matting , reduce household shedding, avoid unnecessary shaving, choose tools that match the coat's structure, and stop wasting money on emergency grooms caused by problems that were preventable.

This is exactly why FurHQ starts with coat type first. No guessing. No one-size-fits-all advice. One dog. One coat type. One clear system.

How Dog Coat Types Connect to the FurHQ 5-Step

Every coat type follows the same FurHQ 5-Step Grooming Method (Audit, Prep, Bath, Dry, Finish), but the tools, products, and techniques within each step change based on which of the seven dog coat types you are working with.

"Learn the Method. Follow the Protocol. Complete the Mission."

Audit

Start every grooming session with a full health check regardless of coat type. Run your hands over the entire dog. Check for lumps, bumps, and any changes in skin condition. Check the ears for signs of infection, smell, or buildup. Look at the nails for overgrowth or splitting. Check teeth and gums for tartar or inflammation.

Then assess the coat based on type. Double coats: check for trapped undercoat and compressed dead coat against the skin. Curly Wavy: check for hidden mats at skin level. Wire: check for dead guard hairs and furnishing tangles. Drop: check for tangles in the drape, especially behind ears and armpits. Smooth: check skin condition directly because the short coat allows full access.

Prep

Each of the seven dog coat types requires different Prep approaches. Smooth Single Coat: skip Prep entirely, straight to Bath. Short Double Coat: optional quick pass with Medium-Pinned Slicker Brush, not crucial. Medium Plush Double Coat and Feathered Long Double Coat: quick line brush, no comb check, mist Pawfect Finish Coat Spray first. Curly Wavy and Drop: full line brush to remove mats and tangles before bath, mist Pawfect Finish Coat Spray before every brush session. Wire: same as Medium Plush but focus on furnishings (legs, beard, eyebrows), mist spray on furnishings only. Never dry brush any coat type without misting spray first (except Smooth).

Bath

Shampoo selection follows dog coat types. Texture-Tastic Shampoo for Wire and Curly Wavy. Shimmer and Shine Shampoo for Drop. Deep Clean Delight Shampoo for Smooth Single, Short Double, Medium Plush, and Feathered Long Double. Coat-Quench Conditioner for all seven dog coat types. Wire coat special rule: apply conditioner to furnishings, friction areas, and undercoat ONLY. Never apply conditioner to the jacket , saddle , or backline.

Dry

Dog coat types determine drying approach. Curly Wavy and Drop: HV drying essential, wait until 90 percent dry before brushing, never air dry. Double coats (Short, Medium Plush, Feathered Long): HV drying thorough to skin to prevent moisture trapping and blow out loosened undercoat. Wire: HV drying thorough to skin, never card or strip a wet coat. Smooth: towel dry is often sufficient.

Finish

The verification tool changes by coat type. FurHQ Detail Comb for Curly Wavy, Drop, and Wire. Undercoat Depth Combfor Short Double, Medium Plush, and Feathered Long Double. No comb needed for Smooth Single.

You got this.

The Foundation: Single Coats vs Double Coats

Before identifying which of the seven dog coat types your dog has, determine whether the coat has one layer or two. This is the most important distinction in coat identification.

Single coats have one uniform layer of hair growing from the skin. When you part the coat down to the skin, you see one type of hair texture all the way through. No fluffy, dense layer packed beneath the outer hair. Single-coated dogs include Smooth Single Coat, Curly Wavy Coat, and Drop Coat.

Double coats have two distinct layers working together. A soft, dense undercoat sits close to the skin, and longer, coarser guard hairs grow on top. When you part the coat, you can clearly see the fluffy, downy undercoat beneath the longer protective outer hair. Double-coated dogs include Short Double Coat, Medium Plush Double Coat, Feathered Long Double Coat, and Wire Coat.

How to check: part your dog's fur on the back or side and look at the hair structure close to the skin. If you see two distinct layers with different textures, the dog has a double coat. If you see one uniform layer, the dog has a single coat. This single test immediately eliminates half of the possible dog coat types.

Wire Coats are technically double-coated but have completely different grooming rules than the other three double coat types. The coarse, wiry outer coat requires hand stripping or carding rather than the deshedding that other double coats need.

Coat type determines everything: the tools you use, how often you groom, and even what products belong on your dog. When you groom for the coat instead of the breed, results change fast.

Coat Type 1: Smooth Single Coat

The simplest of all dog coat types to identify because it has the fewest features, but the low-maintenance reputation leads owners to skip grooming entirely, which creates its own problems.

What it looks like: Short hair lying completely flat against the body. Glossy, sleek appearance. Typically under 2.5 cm (1 in). Skin is often visible through the coat. No texture variation across the body.

What it feels like: Smooth, firm, and glossy. Almost like satin. No fluffy undercoat when you part the fur. One uniform texture throughout.

How it sheds: Light, continuous shedding year-round. Individual short hairs fall out one at a time rather than in clumps.

Common breeds: Boxers, Greyhounds, Dalmatians, Weimaraners, Vizslas, Doberman Pinschers, Whippets, Boston Terriers, Italian Greyhounds, Basenjis, and Chihuahua (smooth variety).

Quick identification: If the coat is so short and sleek it looks almost painted on, and there is no undercoat when you part the fur, you have a Smooth Single Coat. This is the lowest-maintenance of all seven dog coat types. Weekly brushing with a Boar Bristle Brush distributes oils and removes loose hair. No carding, no deshedding, no line brushing needed.

Smooth coats do not hide neglect. They reflect it. Dullness, odour, and excess shedding usually trace back to skin care, not coat length.

Kit: FurHQ Starter Grooming Kit: Smooth Single Coat

For the complete guide, see Smooth Single Coat Dogs.

Coat Type 2: Short Double Coat

Among the most deceptive of all dog coat types because the short hair fools owners into thinking grooming will be minimal. In reality, these are among the heaviest-shedding coats.

What it looks like: Short to medium length, typically 2.5 to 5 cm (1 to 2 in). Dense, plush appearance with obvious volume. Coat stands slightly away from the body rather than lying flat.

What it feels like: Firm and dense on the surface. When you part the fur, you see and feel two distinct layers: soft, fluffy undercoat close to the skin with shorter guard hairs on top.

How it sheds: Heavy. Moderate year-round shedding with dramatic seasonal coat blows in spring and fall when enormous volumes of soft undercoat release.

Common breeds: Labrador Retrievers, Pembroke Welsh Corgis, Cardigan Welsh Corgis, Rottweilers, Pugs, Beagles, Australian Cattle Dogs, and German Shorthaired Pointers.

Quick identification: If the coat is short but incredibly thick and plush with a clearly visible undercoat when parted, and the dog produces tumbleweeds of fluffy hair during shedding seasons, you have a Short Double Coat.

When dead undercoat is not removed regularly, it compresses against the skin, trapping moisture and heat, blocking airflow, and creating conditions for hot spots. A Medium-Pinned Slicker Brush loosens the topcoat , a Short-Medium Coat Carding Rake removes packed dead undercoat (maximum once every two weeks), and an Undercoat Depth Comb verifies that the job is complete.

Short hair does not mean low shed. It means compact shed. If undercoat is not released routinely, it packs tight and shows up on your floors instead of in your brush.

Short Double Coats should never be shaved. Shaving removes the protective topcoat, increases shedding rather than reducing it, and risks permanent coat damage.

Kit: FurHQ Starter Grooming Kit: Short Double Coat

For the complete guide, see Short Double Coat Dogs.

Coat Type 3: Medium Plush Double Coat

The fluffiest and densest of all dog coat types. These dogs have a distinctive rounded, teddy bear appearance, and of all seven types, this one carries the thickest undercoat.

What it looks like: Medium length, typically 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4 in). Extremely dense and fluffy. The coat stands well away from the body in all directions. Overall rounded, full appearance. No long flowing feathering on ears, legs, or tail. Uniform plushness across the entire body.

What it feels like: Incredibly soft and dense. Your fingers sink into the coat rather than gliding over it. When you part the fur, you find a thick, woolly undercoat with guard hairs of similar medium length on top.

How it sheds: The most dramatic seasonal coat blows of any coat type. The undercoat volume that releases during spring and fall is extraordinary.

Common breeds: Siberian Huskies, Samoyeds, Chow Chows, Pomeranians, Akitas, Shiba Inus, American Eskimo Dogs, Keeshonds, Finnish Spitzes, Japanese Spitz, and Norwegian Elkhounds.

Quick identification: If the dog looks like a fluffy cloud with an even, plush coat all over and no long feathering anywhere, you have a Medium Plush Double Coat. The key distinction from Feathered Long Double Coat is the absence of flowing feathering on ears, legs, chest, and tail.

Dead undercoat can compact within the coat, creating a felted layer against the skin that blocks airflow and traps heat. This is invisible from the surface because the fluffy outer coat still looks normal. Grooming requires a Medium-Pinned Slicker Brush for the surface layer, a Short-Medium Coat Carding Rake for packed dead undercoat (maximum once every two weeks), and an Undercoat Depth Comb to verify all layers have been reached.

Plush coats do not mat like curly coats. They compact instead. If undercoat is not released regularly, it stacks, suffocates skin, and explodes during seasonal shed.

Medium Plush Double Coats should never be shaved.

Kit: FurHQ Starter Grooming Kit: Medium Plush Double Coat

For the complete guide, see Medium Plush Double Coat Dogs.

Coat Type 4: Feathered Long Double Coat

One of the most recognisable dog coat types because of its dramatic length variation across the body. These dogs have a true double coat combined with feathering, creating multiple texture zones on a single dog.

What it looks like: Distinct zones with different hair lengths. The body has a medium to long topcoat with dense undercoat beneath. The ears, chest, backs of the legs, belly, and tail have longer, finer, flowing hair called feathering. Guard hairs are typically 7.5 cm (3 in) or longer.

What it feels like: The body coat feels dense and cushioned with a clear undercoat. The feathered areas feel softer, silkier, and finer. You can feel the difference between the two zones clearly.

How it sheds: Heavy year-round shedding with seasonal increases. The feathered areas also trap shed undercoat, contributing to tangling.

Common breeds: Golden Retrievers, Australian Shepherds, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Shetland Sheepdogs, Rough Collies, English Springer Spaniels, Border Collies, Great Pyrenees, Irish Setters, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

Quick identification: If the dog has a double-coated body AND longer, flowing feathering on ears, legs, chest, and tail, you have a Feathered Long Double Coat.

Grooming requires different tools for different zones on the same dog. The body coat needs a Long Coat Carding Rake for undercoat removal (once every two weeks) and a Deshedding Comb on alternate weeks. The feathered areas need a Long-Pinned Slicker Brush and Undercoat Depth Comb for tangle detection. Mist Pawfect Finish Coat Spray on feathered areas before brushing for slip.

Feathered Long Double Coats should never be shaved. Trimming feathering for neatness is fine and common. Shaving the body coat is not.

Kit: FurHQ Starter Grooming Kit: Feathered Long Double Coat

For the complete guide, see Feathered Long Double Coat Dogs.

Coat Type 5: Curly Wavy Coat

The most demanding grooming schedule of all dog coat types. These coats demand daily attention, and the consequences of falling behind arrive faster than with any other coat type.

What it looks like: Clear curl or wave pattern ranging from loose waves to tight ringlets. Significant volume, often standing away from the body. Continuously growing. Minimal hair on the floor because shed hair stays trapped inside the curl pattern.

What it feels like: Springy, bouncy, and resistant. Your fingers do not glide through easily, especially close to the skin.

The curl test: Gently pull a section of hair straight and release it. If it springs back into a curl or wave, you have confirmed this coat type.

How it sheds: Minimal in the traditional sense. Hair does not fall to the floor. Instead, it stays trapped inside the curl pattern, which is why these dogs are called "non-shedding." The dead hair is still there, accumulating inside the coat, which is why Curly Wavy Coats mat so easily without daily brushing.

Common breeds: Poodles of all sizes, Bichon Frises, Portuguese Water Dogs, Lagotto Romagnolos, and most Doodle mixes including Goldendoodles, Labradoodles, Bernedoodles, and Cockapoos.

Quick identification: If you can see clear curl or wave patterns and your floors stay relatively hair-free, you have a Curly Wavy Coat.

Without daily brushing from skin to tip, trapped dead hair compresses against the skin and bonds with live hair, creating mats that are completely invisible from the surface. A single day without brushing may not create disaster, but three days creates mats, and a week creates mats severe enough to require clipping.

The puppy coat transition between roughly 6 and 14 months of age is a critical turning point. The soft puppy coat gets caught in the stronger adult curl, causing mats to form very quickly and very close to the skin.

Grooming requires a Long-Pinned Slicker Brush used daily with Pawfect Finish Coat Spray before every brush session, followed by a FurHQ Detail Comb to verify that every layer has been reached.

Kit: FurHQ Starter Grooming Kit: Curly Wavy Coat

For the complete guide, see Curly Wavy Coat Dogs.

Coat Type 6: Drop Coat

The other daily-brushing coat type among all dog coat types. When properly maintained, the coat looks smooth, flowing, and elegant. When grooming slips, it quickly becomes stringy and clumpy.

What it looks like: Long, straight hair that flows downward from the body. Silky, flowing texture that moves with the dog. Parts naturally down the back. Continuously growing. No undercoat at all.

What it feels like: Silky, smooth, and fine, similar to human hair. One uniform texture throughout with no fluffy undercoat when you part the fur.

The drape test: The hair literally drapes over the body and falls straight down with natural movement. Unlike Curly Wavy Coats or double coats, this hair does not stand away from the body. It flows.

How it sheds: Minimal. The continuously growing hair stays on the dog. Loose hair that is not brushed out becomes part of the coat and tangles over time.

Common breeds: Yorkshire Terriers, Maltese, Shih Tzus (in full coat), Afghan Hounds, Lhasa Apsos, Silky Terriers, Havanese, and Coton de Tulear.

Quick identification: If the coat feels like human hair, flows straight downward, and would keep growing indefinitely if never cut, you have a Drop Coat.

Matting risk is high. The fine, silky texture means even small tangles progress to tight mats within hours. Grooming at full length requires daily brushing with a Long-Pinned Slicker Brush or Pin Brush (for very fine coats like Maltese), Pawfect Finish Coat Spray before every session, and a FurHQ Detail Comb for verification.

Drop coats grow, not shed, which means maintenance is not seasonal, it is daily.

Important crossover: when Drop Coats are trimmed short (under approximately 10 cm (4 in)), they often develop wave or texture. At short lengths, the grooming approach shifts to follow Curly Wavy Coat guidelines because the short coat tangles and mats differently than the same coat at full length.

Kit: FurHQ Starter Grooming Kit: Drop Coat

For the complete guide, see Drop Coat Dogs.

Coat Type 7: Wire Coat

The most unique and most misunderstood of all dog coat types. The naturally coarse texture leads owners to believe the coat is dry, unhealthy, or uncomfortable when it is actually functioning exactly as intended.

What it looks like: Harsh, coarse outer coat that stands off the body. Dense undercoat beneath the wiry layer. Distinct furnishings including a beard, bushy eyebrows, and longer leg hair. Rough, textured, matte appearance.

What it feels like: Rough, bristly, and scratchy. The texture is firm and wiry. When you pet against the grain, it feels coarse. This is the most distinctive texture among all dog coat types.

The pluck test: Dead hair in a Wire Coat can be gently plucked out with your fingers. The dead hair comes free with minimal resistance because it has already loosened in the follicle. This is unique to Wire Coats.

How it sheds: Very low. Most dead hair stays in the coat until manually removed through hand stripping or carding.

Common breeds: Miniature Schnauzers, Standard Schnauzers, Wire Fox Terriers, Airedale Terriers, Scottish Terriers, West Highland White Terriers, Border Terriers, Brussels Griffons, and Wirehaired Pointing Griffons.

Quick identification: If the coat feels rough and bristly with prominent furnishings including a beard and bushy eyebrows, you have a Wire Coat. The rough texture is the coat functioning correctly, not a sign of dryness or poor health.

Wire Coats should be hand stripped rather than clipped with electric clippers. Clipping cuts the wire hair partway down the shaft, producing softer regrowth that gradually and permanently changes the coat's texture. Hand stripping removes the entire dead hair from the root, allowing new wire-textured growth to replace it.

Grooming requires a Medium-Pinned Slicker Brush and FurHQ Detail Comb for furnishings, plus a Short-Medium Coat Carding Rake for body coat maintenance (maximum once per week).

Conditioner rule: Coat-Quench Conditioner on furnishings (beard, eyebrows, leg hair), friction areas, and undercoat only. Never apply conditioner to the jacket, saddle, or backline. Pawfect Finish Coat Spray on furnishings only before every brush session.

Kit: FurHQ Starter Grooming Kit: Wire Coat

For the complete guide, see Wire Coat Dogs.

The Four-Step Identification Process

Here is a systematic process for identifying which of the seven dog coat types your dog has. These four steps work for any breed or mix.

Step 1: The Part Test. Part the fur on the back or side and look at the structure. One uniform layer means single coat (Smooth Single, Curly Wavy, or Drop). Two distinct layers with fluffy undercoat beneath coarser topcoat means double coat (Short Double, Medium Plush Double, Feathered Long Double, or Wire). This single test eliminates half the possibilities.

Step 2: The Texture Test. Run your hand over the coat, both with the grain and against it. Smooth and glossy points to Smooth Single. Springy and bouncy with visible curl points to Curly Wavy. Silky and flowing points to Drop. Rough and bristly points to Wire. Soft, dense, and plush points to one of the three double coat types.

Step 3: The Pattern Check. Look for distinctive features. Curls or waves throughout confirm Curly Wavy. Flowing feathering on ears, legs, chest, and tail with shorter body coat confirms Feathered Long Double. A beard and bushy eyebrows with rough texture confirm Wire. Uniform plushness with no feathering confirms Medium Plush Double. Short, dense coat lying relatively flat with heavy shedding confirms Short Double.

Step 4: The Shedding Confirmation. Heavy seasonal coat blows with tumbleweeds of undercoat confirm double coat types. Continuous moderate shedding with no seasonal peaks suggests Smooth Single. Minimal floor shedding with frequent tangling suggests Curly Wavy or Drop. Very low shedding with rough texture suggests Wire.

Not sure after these four steps? The FurHQ AI Coat Identifier matches your dog to the correct coat type from a photo. The tool is especially useful for mixed breed dogs with unclear coat characteristics, puppies whose adult coat has not fully developed, and coats that show traits from multiple dog coat types. You can also use the FurHQ Breed Selector if you know your dog's breed.

Special Identification Situations

Mixed breeds and Doodles can display characteristics from multiple dog coat types. One coat type is usually dominant. For Doodle mixes, most inherit a Curly Wavy Coat, but the curl intensity varies widely even within the same litter. For other mixed breeds, use the four-step process and focus on the dominant texture and layer structure. See Mixed Breed Dog Coat Types for detailed guidance.

Puppies have soft, fluffy coats regardless of adult coat type. The adult coat develops between approximately 4 and 14 months, and the coat type may not be fully identifiable until 12 to 18 months. During the puppy coat transition, daily brushing is essential for all dog coat types because the two textures tangle together.

Recently groomed dogs can be challenging to identify because clipping removes length and temporarily alters visible texture. Check areas that typically retain more natural growth: ears, tail, top of the head, and neck. For Drop Coat dogs kept in short clips, remember the crossover: short Drop Coats need Curly Wavy Coat grooming methods.

Common Identification Mistakes

Confusing Smooth Single Coat with Short Double Coat is the most common error. These look similar on the surface but have completely different structures. Always do the Part Test. If there is a fluffy undercoat beneath the topcoat, it is a Short Double Coat regardless of how short the hair appears. Labrador Retrievers, Beagles, Pugs, and Rottweilers look smooth but are actually Short Double Coat.

Confusing Drop Coat with Feathered Long Double Coat is another common mistake. Drop Coats are single-layer and uniformly silky with no undercoat. Feathered Long Double Coats have a dense undercoat with dramatic length variation and feathering in specific zones.

Assuming all Doodles have the same coat is inaccurate. While most Doodles fall into the Curly Wavy category, first-generation crosses can vary significantly. Some lean more toward the non-Poodle parent's coat characteristics. F1 Labradoodles can even produce Wire Coats.

Clipping Wire Coats like other dog coat types permanently softens the texture. Wire Coats require hand stripping to maintain their correct texture.

Classifying breeds into the wrong double coat category is common. Huskies, Samoyeds, and Japanese Spitz are Medium Plush Double Coat. Labradors and Corgis are Short Double Coat. Golden Retrievers and Australian Shepherds are Feathered Long Double Coat. Each requires different tools and approaches despite all being double-coated.

Quick Reference: All Seven Dog Coat Types

Brushing and Carding Frequency by Coat Type

The Coat Release Method

Four of the seven dog coat types benefit from the Coat Release Method: Wire, Short Double, Medium Plush Double, and Feathered Long Double. This method uses warm water saturation, shampoo lubrication, mechanical action with the Rubber Curry, HV drying, and post-bath carding to remove more dead coat in one session than weeks of dry brushing alone.

The Coat Release Method does not apply to Smooth Single Coat, Curly Wavy Coat, or Drop Coat because these coat types do not accumulate trapped dead undercoat in the same way.

For the complete process, see The Coat Release Method and Coat Release Method Without an HV Dryer.

Forget the breed label. Put your hands in the coat. Part it. Feel it. The coat tells you everything you need to know. The breed name tells you almost nothing about how to groom.

Related Reading

Coat Type Guides

• Smooth Single Coat Dogs
• Short Double Coat Dogs: Complete Grooming Guide
• Medium Plush Double Coat Dogs
• Feathered Long Double Coat Dogs: Complete Guide
• Curly Wavy Coat Dogs: Complete Care Guide
• Drop Coat Dogs: Complete Grooming Guide
• Wire Coat Dogs: Complete Home Maintenance Guide

Coat Science and Safety

• Dog Coat Types and Temperature Regulation Explained
• Why You Should Never Shave a Double Coat
• Can Dog Coat Types Change? Puppy Coat Transitions Explained
• Mixed Breed Dog Coat Types

Grooming Techniques

• The Coat Release Method
• Line Brushing Technique
• Dog Grooming Brushes: A Complete Guide by Coat Type
• How to Dry a Dog After a Bath
• How to Use Pawfect Finish Coat Spray
• The FurHQ Touch Test
• Dog Matting Explained: Why Mats Form Even When You Brush

The Bottom Line

Seven dog coat types cover the vast majority of dogs. Each one sheds differently, mats differently, responds to moisture differently, and needs different tools and schedules. There is no universal grooming routine because there is no universal coat type.

Every dog's coat, purebred or mixed, maps to one of the seven dog coat types once you know the four markers: layer structure, texture, pattern, and shedding behaviour. You do not need professional training to identify your dog's coat. You need to part the fur, feel the texture, look for distinguishing features, and observe the shedding.

Once you identify which of the seven dog coat types your dog has, every grooming decision follows. The FurHQ 5-Step Grooming Method adapts to each coat type with the right tools, products, and techniques. The guessing stops and the results start.

If grooming has ever felt confusing, it is not your fault. You were never taught how dog coat types work. Now you have the information, and everything changes from here.

One dog. One coat type. One clear system.

Not sure which coat type your dog has? The FurHQ AI Coat Identifier matches your dog to the correct coat type from a photo. Start there, and the right grooming approach follows naturally.

You got this. And we've got you. 🐾

Variation Clarity Statement

Every dog is an individual. Some dogs display characteristics of more than one coat type, especially mixed breeds and Doodle crosses. Puppies may not show their adult coat type until 12 to 18 months of age. The information in this blog represents general guidance for identifying dog coat types. When in doubt, consult a Certified Professional Groomer. If you are unsure about your dog's coat type, use the FurHQ AI Coat Identifier to get accurate identification and the right kit recommendation.