How to Dry Your Dog Properly

Most dog owners spend plenty of time choosing the right shampoo, but the drying process is just as important.

Drying your dog correctly helps protect their skin, keeps their coat looking its best and can even reduce matting, shedding and unpleasant odours.

The trick is that every coat behaves differently. A Boxer dries very differently from a Poodle, and a Golden Retriever has completely different grooming needs again.

In fact, one of the biggest differences between a fluffy, healthy coat and one that becomes tangled, dull or smelly is how you dry your dog afterwards.

Let’s look at the best way to dry each coat type.

Start with a Good Towel Dry (all dogs need this, right?)

As soon as your dog comes out of the bath, gently squeeze excess water from the coat before using a towel.

Avoid aggressively rubbing the coat backwards and forwards. While it may seem quicker, vigorous rubbing can:

Create knots and tangles

Increase breakage in longer coats

Irritate sensitive skin

Leave the coat looking frizzy

Instead, gently press and blot the coat until most of the water has been absorbed.

Short Smooth Coats

Examples: Boxers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Beagles, Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, French Bulldogs, Whippets

These coats don’t hold much water and usually dry quite quickly.

Best drying method

Pat dry with a towel.

Allow to air dry if the weather is warm.

Use a cool or low-heat hair dryer if needed.

Owners of sensitive-skinned breeds like Staffies and Boxers should avoid excessive heat, as warm air can dry the skin and contribute to irritation.

Double Coated Breeds

Examples: Labradors, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Border Collies, Pomeranians

These coats have a dense undercoat that traps water surprisingly well.

Although the surface may feel dry, the undercoat can remain damp for hours.

Leaving the undercoat wet may contribute to:

Musty smells

Tangles

Increased shedding

Skin irritation from prolonged moisture

Best drying method

Use a high-velocity dryer if possible, working section by section through the coat.

If using a standard hair dryer:

Use low heat.

Brush while drying.

Continue until the undercoat feels completely dry.

This is also an excellent opportunity to remove loose undercoat before it ends up around your home.

Curly and Wool Coats

Examples: Poodles, Cavoodles, Groodles, Labradoodles, Moodles, Schnoodles

Curly coats need the most attention after bathing.

Unlike shedding breeds, Poodles have hair rather than fur. Loose hairs remain trapped within the curls instead of falling onto your floor, making proper drying and brushing especially important.

Allowing curly coats to air dry often causes curls to tighten around loose hairs, creating knots that become more difficult to brush later.

Best drying method

Apply a lightweight leave-in conditioner.

Brush in small sections while drying.

Direct airflow from the roots towards the ends of the hair.

Continue until completely dry.

This creates the fluffy finish that professional groomers achieve and makes future brushing much easier.

Long Silky and Drop Coats

Examples: Malteses, Yorkshire Terriers, Shih Tzus, Afghan Hounds

These beautiful coats can tangle surprisingly easily while wet.

Best drying method

Gently blot with a towel.

Apply a leave-in conditioning spray.

Brush small sections while drying.

Work from the ends towards the skin.

Never rub these coats vigorously with a towel, as this can quickly create mats.

Wire and Rough Coats

Examples: Jack Russells, German Shepherds, Schnauzers, West Highland White Terriers, Border Terriers

These coats are naturally coarse and shouldn’t be over-softened.

Best drying method

Towel dry first.

Use moderate airflow rather than excessive heat.

Brush in the direction of coat growth.

Maintaining the coat’s natural texture helps it continue performing its protective role.

Should You Let Your Dog Air Dry?

Sometimes, yes.

Short-coated breeds on a warm day often dry perfectly well without a dryer.

However, air drying isn’t ideal for every dog.

For longer, thicker or curly coats, prolonged dampness can lead to tangles, trapped moisture and an untidy finish.

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Common Drying Mistakes

Even experienced owners make these simple mistakes:

Rubbing the coat aggressively with a towel.

Using very hot air.

Leaving thick undercoats damp.

Allowing curly coats to dry without brushing.

Putting collars or harnesses back on before the neck is completely dry.

Avoiding these small mistakes can make a noticeable difference to your dog’s comfort and coat condition.

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Healthy Coats Start with the Right Routine

The perfect grooming routine doesn’t stop at choosing the right shampoo.

Using products designed for your dog’s unique coat type, followed by gentle drying and regular brushing, helps keep the skin comfortable and the coat looking its very best.

At Serotoninkc, every breed we formulate for has its own unique shampoo and conditioner because every coat has different needs. Pairing the correct formula with the right drying technique helps you get the best possible results from every bath.