My boy Lightning has had maybe one bath in his entire life (he's 7), and that was only because he rolled in dog doo. His coat is not oily at all but soft like a puppy's. Stomps, on the other hand, has the oilier coat. But somehow they both tend to keep themselves clean. I should bathe Stomps, but I cringe at the thought. So I guess my answer is that it depends on the particular dog. If it's not dirty or smelly, why bathe her?