If you live in Toronto and have a dog, this thought has probably crossed your mind at some point:
“It’s cold out… I’ll just let their fur grow.”
It sounds logical. Winter equals longer coat, right?
But in reality, this is one of the most common (and well-intentioned) dog care mistakes we see every winter.
Letting your dog’s coat grow without regular grooming doesn’t make them warmer. Most of the time, it does the opposite.
A healthy coat works by trapping warm air close to the body. That only happens when the fur is clean, brushed, and able to move.
When coats are left ungroomed through winter, they often become tangled or matted. Once that happens, the coat can’t insulate properly. Moisture from snow and slush gets trapped against the skin, air can’t circulate, and dogs actually lose heat faster.
We see a lot of dogs who are technically “fluffier” in winter, but far less comfortable.
By January and February, we regularly meet dogs who are dealing with matting around the chest, legs, and belly. Snow gets packed into their coats on walks. Skin becomes dry, itchy, and irritated from the cold air and indoor heating.
At that point, grooming becomes harder on the dog. Brushing is uncomfortable, dematting can be stressful, and sometimes more hair has to come off than anyone planned — not because we want to, but because it’s the kindest option for the dog.
Most of this is avoidable with regular maintenance.
This part is important.
Winter grooming is not about removing warmth. It’s about maintaining the coat so it can do its job properly.
That usually means keeping length where it helps, tidying problem areas, brushing out tangles before they become mats, and keeping skin clean and healthy through the driest months of the year.
A good dog groomer in Toronto should always adjust grooming based on the season, the breed, and the individual dog — not follow a one-size-fits-all approach.
Winter sidewalks are rough. Snow, ice, and salt take a toll.
When paw hair is left long, ice builds up between the toes and pulls at the skin. Salt can get trapped and cause irritation or cracking. Dogs start licking their paws more, which just makes things worse.
Simple paw trims and regular maintenance can make a huge difference in how comfortable your dog feels on winter walks.
Short answer: no.
Most dogs do best with grooming every six to eight weeks year-round. Some long-coated dogs need even more frequent maintenance, especially in winter. Brushing at home between grooms helps a lot, but it doesn’t replace professional care.
Skipping grooming for months almost always leads to bigger problems later — for your dog and for the groomer who has to fix it.
If the goal is a warmer, more comfortable dog in winter, the answer isn’t to stop grooming. It’s to groom smarter.
Clean coats insulate better. Maintained fur protects better. Comfortable dogs enjoy winter more.
At Camp Canine, we focus on grooming that actually supports your dog’s health — not just how they look — especially during Toronto winters.
If you’re unsure what winter grooming should look like for your dog, we’re always happy to talk it through.
