Every dog needs to be groomed, but the frequency and style of grooming that every dog needs is different depending on their breed, activity, and even age. Recently, Golden Doodles have become a popular breed of dog due to their temperament, size, and because they are known to be hypoallergenic. This lack of shedding may fool you into believing that they do not need as much grooming, but this is not the case. Without close attention to grooming, hair can become matted which causes sores and bruises. If left unchecked, a groomer will have to shave the entire coat, leaving your dog exposed to the elements. We sat down with Elle, a groomer of over 5 years to ask her some questions about grooming Doodles. Elle, who works at Woof's Play and Stay in Manhattan, says she grooms at least 1 Golden Doodle a day and has over 20 regular clients!
Because Golden Doodles are a mixture of Labrador and Poodle, their hair may reflect one or the other more. There is no way to predict what your dog's fur will look like, because it can change as they age, so you need to understand the different styles of Golden Doodle hair. Generally, there are three types: wavy, curly, and straight. Wavy coats are low-shedding but the hair can become tangled very easily. Curly hair will matt quite often if you aren't keeping up with brushing. Depending on the tightness of your dog's curls, you should brush them daily. Straight coats are the most rare, and require the least amount of grooming. Elle recommends using a comb and slicker brush to brush your Doodle's coat from root to tip daily. She also says to be sure to brush your dog's face and feet often to get them used to being touched.
While it's fine to give most breeds a quick bath at home, with Golden Doodles and other doodle mixes, this can cause matting, so be sure to locate a qualified groomer early on. Elle says Golden Doodles should have their first "intro" groom at around 8-10 weeks old. This is not a full groom, but it focuses on the face, feet, and sanitary areas and is more of a chance for your pup to get used to grooming so that it can be an enjoyable experience for them. After that, you should expect to schedule grooming appointments every 4-6 weeks. This may vary based on your dog's hairstyle as well as your at-home brushing habits.
Be sure to talk with your groomer about your preferences for your dog's hair length, and if you're not sure how to brush and care for their hair properly, don't be afraid to ask an expert, like Elle!