Dog skin problems can be complicated. When we don’t have a more specific term for the problem, we call it eczema — a general term for inflamed skin. But pinpointing the root causes of our dogs’ skin problems can be hard. It can even seem impossible.

Typically what we see with dog skin problems is inflammation or dermatitis, which causes itching and irritation. We notice because our dog starts to scratch himself to ribbons using his claws and teeth, which results in hair loss, more itching, more inflammation, and so on. This unhappy state of events is known as the itch-scratch-itch cycle. It can quickly lead to broken skin and make it simple for bacteria to invade.

Here are a few common signs of skin problems and skin disease in dogs: scratching, hair loss, reddened skin, rashes, black and gritty “dirt” stuck in the coat, dry fur, wet or dark areas created by licking, insects or parasites in the coat, dandruff and mats.

The best way to handle skin problems in dogs is to prevent them. And the best way to prevent them is to make sure your dog stays clean and well-groomed. Bathing your dog regularly is one important step, though not so often that you dry out his skin and coat. Grooming is also very important to his overall epidermal health.

Dog grooming is widely misunderstood. Most people think that grooming is a cosmetic thing, but really it’s an important way to bond with your dog, as well as a daily opportunity to check for fleas, ticks, and other abnormalities or signs of skin problems.

But how often should you bathe your dog? Well obviously, if your dog rolls in the cow pasture or your neighbor’s four-week old garbage, you’ll want to give him a bath right then and there. Otherwise, it depends on his breed and coat. If your dog is smooth-coated, like a Doberman or Dalmatian, then you’ll only need to bathe him about twice a year. On the other hand, you’ll want to bathe him a little more often if he’s medium-coated, like an Irish setter or a cocker spaniel.

A broken-coated or wirehaired dog, like the Jack Russell terrier or the wirehaired pointer, needs a bath three to four times a year. And if your dog has a curly coat like a poodle or curly coated retriever, then he’s a big risk for the mats and knots that lead to skin problems unless you’re diligent with the grooming.

Finally, if your dog has a long coat, like a Pomeranian or a bearded Collie, he’s at greater risk than most dogs for developing tangles, hiding unwanted ticks, and developing other skin problems. You’ll need to bathe these dogs roughly once a month, as well as conditioning and blowing out their coat (only on low heat, please) to keep it from matting, and to catch any skin problems that would otherwise be invisible under all that fur.