Goldendoodles are popular for their Teddy-bear appearance and this is largely due to their coats. But, not all Goldendoodle coats are the same. Let’s look at some of the different coats that you may find on your Goldendoodle and how to care for them.
Goldendoodles have three main coat types called curly, wavy, and straight. Rarely, Goldendoodles may also present with an improper coat. Curly coats are the most hypoallergenic but require frequent brushing, while straight coats are the opposite.
Curly Coats
Goldendoodles with curly coats take after their Poodle parents the most. The curls may be thick and tight or slightly looser.
Curly coats are the most common in backcrossed generations, especially F1b. They are quite popular because they are the most hypoallergenic of all Goldendoodle coats. However, they require the most care.
Caring for Goldendoodles with Curly Coats
Goldendoodles with curly coats need to be brushed about once a day. Depending on how tight the curls are, sometimes every second day may be fine too.
You also need to make sure that you wash a Goldendoodle with a curly coat quite often. Once a month is ideal for some, while others can push it to about six weeks. It depends largely on how much time the Goldendoodle spends outside.
When washing your Goldendoodle, make sure that you get all the way down to the skin. This can sometimes be very difficult if the curly coat is very thick.
Wavy Coats
Wavy coats are some of the most popular Goldendoodle coat types. Wavy-coated Goldendoodles resemble Teddy-bears the most, drawing attention to the breed.
They do not take after the Poodle or the Golden Retriever more but are instead a good balance of the two. Goldendoodles with wavy coats occur the most often in F1 generations.
They are not as hypoallergenic as the curly-coated Goldendoodle because they shed a little bit more. They are easier to groom, though.
Caring for Goldendoodles with Wavy Coats
Goldendoodles with wavy coats can be brushed about twice a week as long as it is done thoroughly. Bathing can be done roughly every month and a half to two months, depending on their activity level.
If you struggle with the shedding of the wavy-coated Goldendoodle, trimming it will help. Alternatively, brushing it daily will also make a difference.
Straight Coats
Straight-coated Goldendoodles take after their Golden Retriever parent the most. Their coats are relatively straight, although there may still be large, loose waves present.
They do not look like Golden Retrievers, though. This is largely due to the fur around their snout, which looks like a goatee and mustache. This hair is sometimes referred to as furnishings.
The Goldendoodles with straight coats shed a lot, making them the worst option if you have allergies. They are also the easiest coats to maintain.
Caring for Goldendoodles with Straight Coats
Goldendoodles with straight coats can be brushed about once a week. Bathing them is a little bit more difficult to determine, but it can be done as necessary.
If they do not roll around in dirt outside, roughly every two months should be more than enough for your Goldendoodle.
One way to figure out if it is time to bathe your Goldendoodle with a straight coat is to run your hands as close to the skin as possible. It may be time for a bath if you notice a brown residue on your fingers.
Otherwise, if your Goldendoodle loves water, you may be able to smell mildew. This is particularly common in the chest region.
Improper Coat
An improper coat is the rarest of all Goldendoodle coats. You will find it in F2 Goldendoodles more than any other generation.
An improper coat is similar to a straight coat. These Goldendoodles take after their Golden Retriever parents a great deal. The difference between straight and improper coats is in the furnishings.
As mentioned above, furnishings refer to the Goldendoodle’s ‘facial hair’. Without it, the Goldendoodle looks nothing like the teddy bear that it is famous for, and instead just looks like a thinner Golden Retriever.
The care of an improper coat is identical to that of a straight coat.
Helpful Tools for Goldendoodle Coat Care
The Right Shampoo
Goldendoodles can be prone to skin sensitivities, so make sure that you are using the correct shampoo. Something with Oatmeal in it is more gentle on the skin, which means that you will be able to wash your Goldendoodle more often without worrying.
Detangler
Like most other Poodle hybrids, the Goldendoodles can be prone to matting. This should not be a problem if you brush them daily. However, sometimes you may still find yourself in need of a little bit of help.
A good detangling spray can be used after a bath to make sure that getting any mats out is a relatively pain-free process for your Goldendoodle.
High-Quality Brush
Goldendoodles have very thick hair. This is true regardless of their coat type. The thick coats mean that it is difficult to brush all the way to the Goldendoodle’s skin.
A high–quality brush does not guarantee a thorough brush. But, it makes it a lot easier.
A slicker brush is very important, regardless of the Goldendoodle’s coat type. It is sometimes all that you need.
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