The essentials
- Start early — Gradually get your doodle pup used to grooming early; this makes it easier to groom them as they get older.
- Don’t shave their coat — Doodles have a double coat, so shaving them in the summer can make it harder for them to stay cool.
- Professional grooming can help — Don’t hesitate to contact a professional groomer to help you properly care for your doodle’s coat.
Doodles are a popular choice for individuals and families. They are low-shed and friendly, making them great pets. However, their unique grooming needs require regular attention and care to keep their coat healthy and manageable. Grooming your doodle goes beyond just bathing. They need routine brushing, eye, ear, and nail care for their health and well-being.
Understanding your doodle’s coat
Much like humans, doodle coats vary based on genetics and the breed characteristics they are mixed with. A golden retriever mixed with a poodle may have a different coat than an English sheepdog mixed with a poodle.
Understanding your doodle’s coat can help you appropriately maintain it and keep it healthy. Each type of coat requires specific grooming techniques and care. Some doodles may have a double coat with an undercoat and topcoat, requiring more specific grooming.
Different types of doodle coats
Each coat type has unique needs due to different fur textures, patterns, and lengths. Some of the different types of doodle coats include:
- Straight coat. Straight coats resemble a golden retriever with long fur all over. They typically need frequent grooming and attention, focusing on areas behind the ears, under the armpits, and the tail to prevent matting.
- Wavy coat. Wavy coats may require more frequent grooming, depending on the specific dog. Some doodles may have a wavy coat that takes on more of the poodle fur type. You may need to brush them a few times each week, or they may need professional grooming every couple of months.
- Curly coat. Curly coats require the most maintenance since they can be dense and mat easily. You may have to comb through their coat each day to prevent tangling. Regular professional grooming can also help with maintenance to keep it healthy.
Tools needed
- Slicker brush. Depending on your doodle’s coat type, you’ll need a brush that works with their fur. A slicker brush removes loose and dead hair, dirt, and debris while smoothing fur and preventing tangling. These brushes can be harsh on the skin, so use a softer one and brush gently.
- Comb or de-matting rake. A metal comb helps with detangling fur without pulling. Regular combing can prevent matting and keep your doodle’s coat healthy.
- Detangle treatments. Like humans, detangling sprays help manage tangles and loosen mats. These treatments come in sprays and creams, keeping the coat smooth and manageable.
- Ear cleaner. Floppy-eared breeds are prone to ear infections, including the doodles. Regular ear cleaning while you groom them prevents bacteria and debris from building up, which can lead to infections.
- Dog clippers. Clippers can help trim and remove mats from your doodle’s coat. You shouldn’t shave your doodle, especially since they have double coats. Clippers can help keep certain areas manageable.
How to brush your doodle dog
Regular brushing and grooming help prevent mats and keep your doodle’s coat clean and healthy. Make sure to brush all layers of their coat to keep it mat-free and trim in areas more prone to tangling.
Use detangling treatments
Applying a detangling treatment can loosen mats and tangles. These treatments — whether sprays or creams — can also make brushing easier and ensure it’s not painful for your dog.
Start with the slicker brush
Start with brushing in areas where mats commonly develop. Use gentle strokes to avoid hurting your dog’s skin. Target behind the ears, under the neck, behind the elbows, under the armpits, down the legs, and the tail.
Use a wide-tooth comb
After brushing, use a metal wide-tooth comb. Work in small sections the same way you would brush your own hair. Start from the legs and work upwards. The comb helps to prevent mats from forming close to the skin. If your comb has fine teeth, flip it over and continue working in small sections to remove any remaining tangles and loose hair.
Remove mats with clippers
Depending on your doodle’s coat, more mats and tangles may develop even with regular grooming and brushing. Dog clippers can help you clip mats that won’t detangle with brushing. You can also use clippers to keep areas shorter that are more prone to tangles and mats.
How to detangle mats
When detangling mats, you want to be gentle and patient to avoid causing discomfort to your dog. Use a detangler to help loosen the hair and make it easier to brush through. Separate a few hairs from the tangle using the slicker brush or wide-tooth comb placed at the base of the mat. Work slowly and avoid pulling the hair to prevent pain.
Be patient, gradually working through the tangle until it’s completely separated. Continue to gently brush in the direction of the hair until it’s loosened or removed. If needed, use clippers or safe scissors to cut the mat out.
Always keep your tools clean, throw out old shampoo, and avoid brushing in a backward direction. These can cause a condition called post-grooming furunculosis. Although rare, it’s incredibly painful for your pup and preventable by keeping things clean.
Bathing a doodle coat
Regular grooming and occasional bathing are necessary for a doodle coat. Here are some tips for bathing your dog’s doodle coat:
- Brush them out. Doodle coats can easily tangle and mat. Brushing them out before you bathe them can help you spot trouble areas and tackle them before you start the bath.
- Use warm water. Dogs can easily burn from hot water. Test the water with your wrist or hand to make sure it’s lukewarm and not hot to the touch. Water that feels hot to the touch is too hot to bathe your dog in.
- Choose dog shampoo. Human shampoo can irritate your dog’s skin and coat. Using a dog shampoo ensures it’s specially formulated with ingredients to moisturize their skin. Look for a shampoo that’s gentle, like Duoxo, with aloe, omega-3, and vitamin E.
- Use conditioner. Because doodle coats can become unmanageable from tangles and mats, a rinse-out conditioner or leave-in spray can help remove them, keeping their fur soft and maintainable.
- Rinse thoroughly. Even if accidental, leaving shampoo on your dog can irritate their skin and cause dryness. Make sure to rinse them several times, avoiding the eyes and ears, moving from front to back to remove all traces of the shampoo.
- Blow dry the coat. You can allow your dog to air dry. However, with doodle coats, using a dog blow dryer can also help prevent it from tangling.
Nail, ear, and eye care
Grooming your doodle coat dog goes beyond just brushing and bathing. It also includes caring for their eyes, nails, and ears. By regularly checking their nails, eyes, and ears, you can spot potential issues before they become bigger problems.
Nails
Overgrown and broken nails can lead to pain and injury. Keeping your dog’s nails trimmed helps with their comfort and mobility. When trimming their nails, avoid cutting too close to the quick. This will hurt your dog and cause bleeding. If you don’t feel comfortable clipping their nails, or your dog has dark-colored nails, call a vet or groomer.
Ears
Doodles have both floppy and hairy ears. If not properly cared for, their ears can trap moisture and bacteria, which can lead to infection. Regular ear cleaning with an ear cleaner or wipes can help prevent build-up and infections. Additionally, the excessive hair that grows in doodle ears may need plucking or trimming, or both. Plucking is something best left to the professionals, so speak with your vet or groomer to see if it’s right for your dog.
According to Dr. Irish, it’s safe to pluck ear hair from dirty or inflamed ears. If your dog’s ears seem relatively “quiet” and healthy, plucking the hair may inflame them, creating a breeding ground for infection.
Eyes
Doodles are prone to tear stains and other eye issues. Regular cleaning around their eyes can help maintain their eye health. Use a damp cloth or specific tear stain products to gently wipe down their eyes. It’s also a good time to check for redness, irritation, or anything that looks off.
When to speak to a professional
If you’re new to owning a doodle, it’s OK to seek the help of a professional groomer. Professionals know how to manage and care for all types of dogs, including doodles. They can detangle and trim their coat, clean their eyes and eyes, and trim their nails. A professional groomer can also give you tips on how to maintain and manage your doodle’s coat between grooming sessions.
👉 Looking for a groomer but don’t know where to start? Check out this directory to find a pet groomer near you.
Owning a dog brings joy, love, and companionship into our lives. But, it also comes with the responsibility of caring for them and maintaining their health. Knowing how to properly groom your doodle makes it easier to manage their coat and keeps them happy and healthy. Don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional veterinarian or groomer for help on caring for your doodle coat dog.
Frequently asked questions
How do you take care of a doodle coat?
Regular brushing, combing, detangling, and bathing can help you care for and manage a doodle coat.
What’s the best way to keep a goldendoodle from matting?
Brushing and combing regularly can keep a goldendoodle from matting.
How do you manage doodle hair?
Using a slicker brush can help you get out tangles and break down mats. For curly-coated doodles, you can brush daily, and for straight or wavy coats, brush every few days.
What are the best products for a doodle coat?
Some of the best products for a doodle coat include a slicker brush, wide-tooth comb, detangler rake, detangler treatments, and a gentle shampoo and conditioner.
How do you take care of a goldendoodle puppy?
Dog parents need to exercise their puppies every day and provide both physical and mental stimulation. Don’t leave them home alone for an entire day as this will only exacerbate separation anxiety.
