The Doodle 'do

A summertime pool doodle doing what doodles do best.

You don't need to look far and wide to see that doodles are one of the top dogs in town. We see many doodles here at Buddies, of all sizes, shapes, colors, and mixes. From Labradoodles, to Goldendoodles, to Springerdoodles, and Bernedoodles, every dog is unique. While coat type among doodles can vary, one thing they all share in common is maintenance! 

One of the first important steps in caring for your doodle is to get them used to grooming at an early age. Regular brushing should be done when puppies are 3 to 4 months old to familiarize them with being handled, especially around their paws and back-end. ​

​When brushing, make sure to get both the top coat and closer down to the skin, as that is where most matting occurs. Many owners will brush out the top and be surprised to find out that underneath their dog is actually matted. Vigorous brushing and a good slicker brush is recommended. 

Around a year of age, doodles will lose their puppy coat and grow an adult coat. Since doodles do not shed frequently, they have no way of getting rid of their old coat while the new one grows in. Brushing is the best method to strip out the old coat, or else it will tangle with the new hair growing in. Around this age it is common for groomers to shave down the coat if we see a doodle that is matted.

Matting causes your pet discomfort, as it pulls on the skin. Dogs actually have skin much thinner than a human's, so any mat bigger than a thumb will need attention. Buddies does not practice de-matting, which can be painful for your pet. The best way and least stressful for your pet is to have the mats cut out professionally by a groomer, and to shave or trim the coat down. If you cannot run a comb through your dog's fur, then they are most likely matted. 

The most common coat types for doodles are hair, wool, and fleece:

• Hair Coats are the easiest to maintain. They are soft and thin, and also shed. A gentle bristle brush is recommended. 
• Wool Coats are generally curly and shed very little. They are dense and require thorough and frequent combing, but grow slower.
• Fleece Coats are wavy and soft, and also do not shed often. They require frequent combing and brushing. 

We recommend bringing in your doodle to be groomed every 4-6 weeks. Some owners prefer to have their doodle shaved down two to three times a year so their coat requires less maintenance at a short length. Even when shaved down, it is good to start fresh and continue brushing the new coat that grows in. Maintaining your doodle's coat between grooming will keep your pet happy and healthy!