15 Breeds That Are Pain For Dog Groomers

Much like your favorite blockbuster movies, untold struggles happen behind the scenes when you take your dog for grooming. Your dogs might not mention it, but their antics with the groomer behind your back could fill a comedy reel! While a well-groomed dog is a sight for sore eyes, bringing pride to their owners, the path to that pristine look is often paved with challenges only the dog and the groomer know about. Here are 15 dog breeds pet groomers dislike because of the challenges they pose
Chihuahua

Chihuahuas are known for their feisty and sassy personalities, which can make grooming them quite the adventure. Despite their small size, these dogs often have a big attitude and are unafraid to show it. Their bold and sometimes stubborn nature can lead to resistance during grooming sessions, making keeping them still and cooperative a challenge.
Siberian Husky

Siberian Huskies have a thick double coat that sheds profusely, particularly during seasonal changes. This results in an overwhelming amount of fur that requires frequent grooming. This shedding can clog grooming tools and necessitate a longer cleaning time. But that’s not the worst part; huskies are infamous for their loud and constant vocalizations, including howling and whining, which can be disruptive and stressful in a grooming salon environment.
Shih Tzu

With long, dense coats prone to matting if not brushed regularly, Shih Tzus are rocket science to groom. Matting can be annoying for the dog and challenging for the groomer to detangle, often requiring significant time and patience. They also have sensitive skin and are prone to allergies and irritations that make them edgy. Shih Tzus are stubborn and difficult to manage during grooming sessions, especially if they are not accustomed to being handled regularly.
Komondor

Can you imagine grooming a giant ball of dreadlocks? That’s pretty much what it’s like handling Komondors. These breeds have distinctive corded coats, which resemble long, heavy dreadlocks. While their unique appearance is striking, it presents a significant challenge for handlers. Bathing and drying a Komondor is time-consuming, as their dense cords can take hours to dry completely.
Poodle

Anxieties are typically a touch away from poodles. Poodles can be anxious or nervous during grooming, making the experience more stressful for the groomer and the dog. To complicate the situation, they have curly, dense coats that require precise clipping and styling, often necessitating a high skill level and more grooming time. Routine grooming is essential to prevent their fur from matting, making them a high-maintenance breed.
Chow Chow

Groomers must take extra precautions to ensure the Chow Chow remains calm and comfortable throughout the session. Chow chows’ aloof or aggressive temperament, particularly towards strangers, can make the grooming process challenging and potentially dangerous. Additionally, their thick coat can make them prone to overheating, which is a concern if an electrical drier is to be used for drying.
Cocker Spaniel

For Cocker Spaniels, their case is more about their most conspicuous body part, their ears. This breed is susceptible to ear infections, and their long ears require careful and regular cleaning to prevent issues. They are also predisposed to various skin problems, including allergies and seborrhea, which can make grooming sessions more like a vet visit. Handlers must be vigilant in checking for and addressing skin issues during each session.
German Shepherd

Groomers need strength and skill, and there may be a professional course on treating police officers to handle German shepherds. German Shepherds shed heavily, particularly during shedding season, creating a significant amount of fur that requires extensive grooming. They can be anxious or protective, making them difficult to manage in a grooming setting. Additionally, their large size can make them physically challenging to handle during grooming sessions.
Bichon Frise

Some bichons can be very active and difficult to keep still during grooming sessions, making the process more challenging for groomers. Their small size also requires careful handling to avoid injury. With their fluffy coats, this breed requires regular grooming trips to maintain their appearance and prevent matting. They often have sensitive skin, necessitating special shampoos and gentle handling.
Dalmatian

Despite their short fur, Dalmatians shed a lot, leaving a fine layer of hair that is hard to clean. They can be assertive and challenging to train, which can extend to their behavior during grooming. Dalmatians are also prone to skin allergies and issues, requiring special attention during grooming to ensure their skin remains healthy and irritation-free. Their high energy levels can also make them restless during grooming sessions.
Labrador Retriever

Although always the sweet and gentle family breed, labrador retrievers are highly energetic and challenging to keep still during grooming sessions. This requires handlers to have a lot of patience and skill. Adding to the complication is that labs have water-resistant coats that can make bathing and drying more complicated. Getting them wet enough to be bathed and drying them off appropriately takes extra steps.
Pekingese

Pekingese have long, dense fur that can become severely matted if not groomed regularly. The breed’s thick undercoat and long topcoat require meticulous brushing to prevent tangles and matting. Due to their flat faces, Pekingese can have breathing difficulties, making grooming around the face and head more stressful for the dog. Their small size makes them delicate to handle, and any rough treatment can cause injury.
Briard

While beautiful, Briards are known for their long, wavy coats, which present unique challenges for groomers. This thick fur is prone to matting and tangling if not regularly brushed and maintained. Beyond their fur, Briards are powerful, intelligent, and strong-willed dogs with a herding background, meaning they can be pretty independent and sometimes stubborn during grooming sessions.
Shar Pei

Instantly recognizable due to their unique, deeply wrinkled skin, Shar Peis’s skin is endearing but presents a considerable challenge for grooming sessions. The folds of the Shar Peis’ skin can trap dirt, moisture, and bacteria, making them prone to skin infections and irritations. This makes grooming sessions labor-intensive, as handlers must meticulously clean and dry each fold to prevent these issues, which can be time-consuming and delicate.
Greyhound

Greyhounds present a unique grooming challenge not related to fur or temperament but their physical build. As a breed, Greyhounds are known for their incredibly lean bodies and thin skin, which is highly susceptible to cuts, abrasions, and temperature. This delicate skin requires handlers to exercise extreme caution when handling grooming tools and water temperature to avoid accidental nicks or chills after bath.