It depends on the breed of your dog or how fast his hair grows..
I think it's best to have your pet groomed by a professional pet groomer.

[AuntieDale]

Hi - my golden retriever gets trimmed in the Spring - I bathe him about 3 times a year. He swims all summer!

I always have taken my animals (well, my cats are the ones to be groomed) to the professionals. My wife tried to bath and trim their hair once... and they looked kind of funny for months ;-p.

[pinsnpugs]

Originally Posted by orangedog

As a groomer also I can give my input: Most of my hair cut clients come every 3-6 weeks (poodles, bichons, spaniels, PWD, terriers, etc.) My bath dogs (labs, mastiffs, goldens, sheps, etc.) come every 6 - 8 weeks. I also have a few occasional clients who just come when their dogs are fintly, smelly and matted but that is not the norm.

FYI: Only dogs with HAIR (poodles, terriers, etc.) should get hair cuts. It is a myth that shaving a dog with fur (most breeds) makes them cooler, it is actually very unsafe for them. When clipped they are unable to properly regulate their body temperature and are also more susceptible to sun damage. If your dog is extremely matted and requires a strip down (sometimes called a puppy or summer cut by some groomers) or has a run in with a clipper happy, lazy groomer you need to apply dog safe sunscreen daily until the coat has grown back.

Thankyou!!
I tell people all the time that coated dogs are coated for a reason. Cutting their coat throws off the ability to regulate their body temperature. The coat acts is an insulator...cools and warms depeding on the need. A panting dog does not mean it is overheated necesarrily, thats how dogs cool down is to pant.
Leave the coated breeds coated and just wash/brush.

[animalfarm]

i usually trim my dogs hair right before the start of summer when they usually start shedding

[rayter]

I never get my dogs hair cut. I groom them myself and they stay in their full coats, just like they are intended to.