The coat of the Spanish water dog grows throughout it's life (about one centimetre per month), and it does not lose its hair. This helps in keeping the house clean - but as with all the other dogs this does not stop it bringing dirt back in to the house. Additionally it is though to help against normal allergies. The coat is always curly and of woolly texture. Curly when short, it can form large cords when long. The pups are born with a curly hair but with varying quality. Dogs should be sheared once or twice a year, the first time at 3-4 months. Shearing should always be complete, but not for aesthetic purposes. A water dog should never be combed or brushed. They are washed with normal water and dried alone in the open air, never with a hair dryer. The maximum length of the hair recommended for show is 12 cm and the minimum is 3 cm.