The Labrador is India’s favourite family dog for good reason: friendly, patient, endlessly food-motivated. It also has a coat that surprises first-time owners. It looks short and simple, but it sheds steadily all year, sheds heavily twice a year, and holds water like a sponge.
None of this is hard to manage. It just needs a routine.
Understanding the Labrador coat
Labradors have a double coat: a short, dense, slightly oily outer coat that sheds water, and a soft, thick undercoat that insulates. That oiliness is natural and useful – it is what made the breed a water dog. It also explains a lot: the “Labrador smell”, the dust that sticks, and why washing too often can leave the coat dull and the skin dry.
Brushing: the most important habit
Brushing does most of the work of keeping a Labrador clean, and it is what keeps the hair off your furniture.
- Two or three times a week for most of the year, using a rubber curry brush or a slicker brush in the direction of the coat.
- Daily during the seasonal shed, usually as the weather changes, with an undercoat rake or de-shedding tool to lift the loose undercoat.
- Brush outside or on the balcony if you can. You will be amazed how much comes out.
Regular brushing also spreads the coat’s natural oils, which keeps it glossy without a single bath. If your Labrador’s hair fall seems excessive, or you see bald patches, read dog hair fall vs shedding to tell the difference.
Should you shave a Labrador in summer?
No. A double coat helps protect against heat and sun as well as cold, and shaving can damage how it grows back. Keep a Labrador cool with shade, water, early and late walks and thorough brushing to remove the loose undercoat. Our summer dog care guide has more.
How often should you bathe a Labrador?
When the coat genuinely needs it – usually every four to eight weeks, or after a muddy walk or a roll in something unspeakable. Bathing too often strips the oils that protect the skin. Our guide on how often to bathe a dog goes into detail.
When you do bathe, choose a mild, sulphate-free, pH-balanced dog shampoo; never human shampoo. Wet the coat right down to the skin – the outer coat repels water, so take your time – and lather slowly from neck to tail. Rinse until the water runs clean. With our Gentle Daily Shampoo, two passes give the best result. For a wider comparison, see the best shampoo for Labrador in India.
Between baths, a Dry Foam Shampoo handles a coat that feels oily or smells stale without a full wash.
Drying is not optional
Labradors love water – puddles, pools, beaches, the monsoon. The dense undercoat holds that water against the skin for hours, which is where damp-dog smell and skin trouble start. After every bath or swim:
- Let your dog shake.
- Press water out with absorbent towels; don’t rub hard.
- Finish with a pet dryer on a cool or low setting, brushing as you go, until the undercoat is dry to the skin.
Our full guide to drying a dog after a bath walks through it.
Ears, nails and paws
- Ears: Labrador ears fold over and trap moisture. Check them weekly and dry them after swims. Wipe only the visible outer ear; see how to clean your dog’s ears.
- Nails: trim every few weeks if you can hear them clicking on the floor.
- Paws: a no-rinse Paw Cleaner after every walk keeps road dust and monsoon grime out of the house.
Ticks
Labradors spend a lot of time in grass. Check the ears, neck, armpits and between the toes after walks, and use a repellent like Defense before walks in tick-prone places.
A simple Labrador routine
| How often | What |
|---|---|
| After every walk | Clean paws; quick tick check |
| 2–3 times a week (daily when shedding) | Rubber brush or slicker, then undercoat rake in shedding season |
| Weekly | Check and dry ears; check nails |
| Between baths | Dry foam for a stale or oily coat |
| Every 4–8 weeks | Full bath, rinse thoroughly, dry to the skin |
When to see a vet
Constant scratching, red or moist skin, bald patches, a strong smell from the ears or skin, or head-shaking need a vet rather than more grooming.
