How To Care For Your Doodle’s Coat

I love Doodles, I really do. And I understand why they’re so popular. However there is one thing that comes as a surprise to many — just how high maintenance their coats are. People always go on about how they’re low shedding and hypoallergenic, but often fail to mention how much maintenance their coats require.

So if you’re looking at adding a Doodle into your life, just keep in mind that most of them require daily brushing, as well as regular grooming ever 4-6 weeks. If you’re ready for that sort of commitment here’s a few quick tips on how to care for your Doodle’s coat.

Get Puppies Used to Grooming

If you get a doodle puppy, make sure you get them used to the groomer and grooming process while they’re young. Make bathing and grooming a positive experience for them when they’re pups, since early exposure is crucial for them to get comfortable with the process.

Building trust with puppies is key to successful grooming sessions. Start by introducing puppies to grooming tools and equipment gradually, allowing them to sniff, explore, and become familiar with the grooming environment. Positive reinforcement, such as praise and treats, can help puppies associate grooming with a positive experience, fostering trust and cooperation. – MoeGo

Add Brushing Into Your Daily Routine

Doodle coats are notorious for getting tangled and matted, so daily brushing is recommended, especially on dogs with longer coats. If you brush daily it should be a pretty quick part of your routine, since that will prevent tangles and knots from forming.

In general a good slicker brush and comb will do the job, however a bristle brush might be needed on Doodle’s with tightly curled hair.

Brushing your doodle regularly not only helps prevent matting but also distributes natural oils throughout their coat, keeping their fur soft and healthy. Ideally, you should brush your doodle every day, or at minimum every few days. – Lucky Dog Mobile Groomers

Be Ready to Have Them Groomed Every 4-6 Weeks

As mentioned above Doodles have high maintenance coats, which means grooming every 4-6 weeks is standard. If your Doodle has a straight or wavy coat you can probably get away with grooming every 3 months as long as you keep up with the daily brushing.

Grooming your Doodle is necessary to keep their coats healthy and prevent matting. While a professional grooming session is needed every 4-8 weeks, regular brushing, bathing and trimming routine is essential for a healthy and happy Doodle. – Doodle Dandy Rescue

Grooming At Home Vs. Using Professionals

Whether you want to groom your dog at home or go to the groomers is completely up to you. I prefer a mix of both; I don’t mind grooming at home (and it saves money in the long run if you invest in a decent trimmer), but I also make sure to go to the groomers at least once every 3 months so my dog stays confident with the process if it’s ever needed.

Regular at-home grooming helps maintain your doodle’s coat and reinforces bonding. However, periodic appointments with a professional groomer ensure a thorough, expert grooming session that addresses all aspects of coat and skin health, as well as hygiene. – Shallowford Animal Hospital

Pay Special Attention To Their Ears

Doodle’s are notorious for getting matted hair in their ears, so catching that issue before it turns into a painful infection is key. When you do your daily brushing routine, give the inside of their ears a quick look over to make sure there’s no mats forming.

Some people will pluck the hair inside their Doodle’s ear to prevent mats from occurring, but I prefer just keeping the hair inside trimmed short. Not only can plucking be painful for your dog, it can also lead to micro tears that can make your dog more prone to infections.

Excessive ear plucking may inadvertently result in micro-trauma and inflammation to the ear canals and this may predispose your dog to an ear infection. – Cahill Animal Hospital

Find a Good Groomer

One of the most important things to do when it comes to caring for your Doodle’s coat is finding a groomer you trust. Not only will a good groomer make the grooming process more pleasant for your dog, but you’ll also have someone who can give you advice regarding your dog’s coat type (curly, wiry, or straight).