“take your dog to a groomer every few months..”
Just be VERY, VERY particular about the groomer if you go this route. Many groomers are use to small dogs like poodles, Llapso’s, Yorkies and such. Like some people, they are afraid of bigger dogs (especially guard dogs like GSD’s or Mastiffs). They can be rough or so apprehensive that the dog gets freaked out. Ask specifically if groomer X has groomed very large dogs and be breed specific. Ask how many they have groomed in the past year. I have heard horror stories from other big breed owners that frighten me.
Pet Smart is good here - they deal with just about every kind of dog there is (no ribbons or nail polish) but good at getting dogs clean and excess hair gone. They are good with our ACD’s, one of which isn’t sweetness and light :) She seems to think they are okay.