A fluffy Labradoodle is one of the cutest dogs out there. A real teddy bear! But, not all Labradoodle puppies will grow up to have the same coat types. Some will have a beautiful fluffy wool coat, or a fluffy fleece coat. And, some standard Labradoodles and mini Labradoodles will grow up to have straight, dense coats. This is more likely if they are a first generation mix. So, how can you make sure you find a Labradoodle with the fluffiest coat possible? And are you ready for the intense care needs of this coat type?
Read on to find out all you need to know about the popular fluffy Labradoodle!
Labradoodle Coat Types
Most people that bring this Doodle puppy home hope to get a big fluffy Labradoodle in their life. But, some don’t realise that there are 3 quite different coat types Labradoodles can inherit. And, which one your puppy has will depend on the genes they inherit from their parents. Here are the three most common coat types for Labradoodle dogs:
- Labradoodle wool coat – Can be quite coarse to the touch. The curliest coat type, most like the Poodle parent.
- Labradoodle fleece coat – Silky fur, feels like angora wool. This coat type usually has soft waves, somewhere in between the other two varieties.
- Labradoodle hair coat – Straight, dense fur in double-layered coat. This is the most similar to the Lab parent’s coat.
So, when people say “fluffy Labradoodle”, they usually mean a Labradoodle with a fleece coat. This fur type is the softest to the touch, and falls in lovely loose waves that can either be kept short, or let to grow longer.
F1b Labradoodle Coat Types
The three coat types we identified above are general varieties that you might see in a first generation mix. But, most breeders are aiming to achieve a wool or fleece coat in their Labradoodle puppies. This is more common in second generation Labradoodles or multigen Labradoodles. Another way breeders can encourage this coat type is by backcrossing to a Poodle, to increase the amount of Poodle DNA, and therefore the chance of getting curlier fur.
An f1b Labradoodle is a first generation Doodle that has been bred back with a purebred Poodle. This will result in puppies with more Poodle DNA. So, they are more likely to get a fleece or wool coat. But, you must be aware that there’s still a slim chance they can have straight fur like the Lab!
Choosing an f1b puppy is a great way to increase your chances of bringing home a fluffy Labradoodle.
Australian Labradoodle Coat Types
The Australian Labradoodle mix contains influence from up to 6 different purebred dogs, rather than just the Poodle and Lab. On top of this, breeders will involve English and American Cocker Spaniels, Irish Water Retrievers, and Curly Coated Retrievers.
According to the Australian Labradoodle Association, this breed variety is available in fleece or wool varieties. So, choosing an Australian Labradoodle can be a good way to ensure you’re getting a fluffy Labradoodle puppy. But, you must still make sure you’re prepared for their care needs!
Are Fluffy Labradoodles Hypoallergenic?
Let’s assume that by “fluffy Labradoodle” most people mean Labradoodles with a fleece coat, or a wool coat. These types of Labradoodle can be low shedding. The wool coat type is actually the lowest shedding coat type available on this mix. The tight curls in the coat also tend to catch any shedding fur. It’s high maintenance, but you won’t see much dog fur around your house.
However, neither of these fur types are hypoallergenic. In fact – there’s no dog breed that is truly hypoallergenic. Coats can be low shedding and still trigger your allergies! And this is because the allergens that trigger allergy symptoms are mostly found in canine dander and saliva. Curly coats will still catch most shedding dander, and saliva-covered hairs. But, you might find yourself reacting to other things your dog licks or chews – like soft toys or bedding. And, since curly coats require more grooming, you’ll need to get up close to those allergens more often.
Many studies have suggested that the best way to minimise allergy symptoms lies in a good cleaning regime. You can also ask someone else in your household to take care of your fluffy Labradoodle’s grooming needs each day. Wash soft toys and bedding regularly. And, try to spend some time with your chosen Doodle before they come home, to see just how much they might trigger your allergies.
Fluffy Labradoodle Grooming
The grooming needs of fluffy Labradoodles will vary depending on their exact coat type. Wool Labradoodles have the most Poodle-like coat – so their needs will be very similar to the purebred Poodle. They will likely need to be groomed at least once a day to remove tangles. Some owners like to use a slicker brush for this. But, you might prefer using a comb to get through really stubborn mats.
A fleece coat Labradoodle will have loose waves rather than tight curls. So, knots and tangles in their coat may be a little less common. But, they will still need to be brushed at least twice a week. This may need to be more frequent if your Doodle is on the curlier side. A slicker brush is another great tool for this coat type. But, for more advice, speak to a professional dog groomer near you! They can show you the best ways to maintain your fluffy Labradoodle’s coat in between trips.
No matter how fluffy your Labradoodle’s coat is, they will also need regular bathing, ear cleans, nail trimming and tooth brushing.
My Labradoodle Puppy Has Straight Hair
“My Labradoodle looks like a Lab!” is a common complaint from Labradoodle owners that didn’t research different coat types before bringing their puppy home. Many Labradoodles, especially f1 Labradoodles, will grow up to look like Labs. They might not be as fluffy as you imagined they would be! So, to increase the chance of a fleece coat, go to a breeder that specializes in this coat type, or choose a later generation mix.
It’s also important to note that all Labradoodle puppy coats look quite similar. All Doodle puppies will have a single layer puppy coat that will shed as they grow to reveal their adult coat type. You may need to wait a little while to see what coat type your Labradoodle truly has!
Labradoodle Coarse Hair
Labradoodles with hair type coats and wool type coats are the two most likely to have coarse fur. This is because the purebred Poodle and purebred Lab were both originally working dogs. They needed fur coats that would keep them warm when working alongside humans to retrieve game. Particularly when retrieving in the water!
The fleece coat is often the softest type of Labradoodle coat. And that’s why this is usually the most popular type of Labradoodle.
Fluffy Labradoodle Coat Colors
A fluffy Labradoodle will be able to have the same coat color varieties as any other Labradoodle dog. They can express any coat color seen in their parent breeds! Here are some of the most common and popular coat colors for fluffy Doodles:
- White
- Black
- Apricot
- Red
- Yellow
- Grey
- Parti colored
- Chocolate
- Caramel
- Cream
Where Can I Find Fluffy Labradoodle Puppies?
If your heart is set on getting a big fluffy Labradoodle, it’s a good idea to look for one with a fleece coat. Some breeders will specialize in producing puppies with this coat type. But, it’s not something that you can guarantee, especially in first generation dogs. So, you might also want to consider looking at older Labradoodles in rescue centers. This way, you can guarantee their coat type before bringing them home!
If you are choosing a Labradoodle breeder, make sure you choose a reputable breeder. The best breeder will be able to give you evidence of health testing, and will be happy to let you see the puppies and mother dog in person. The dogs will all be a loved part of the family, kept in a warm and safe environment. They should all be healthy and friendly. Puppy mills and backyard breeders are on the rise, producing Labradoodles to make a quick profit off the trend for these dogs. So, you must be extra vigilant when finding puppies to avoid these places.
Do You Have a Fluffy Labradoodle At Home?
Does your Labradoodle have the fluffy fleece coat type? Or, have you been lucky enough to get a wool or hair Labradoodle with a soft, fluffy coat? We would love to hear more about your wonderful Labradoodle pets! Let us know about them in the comments below.
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References and Resources
- The Australian Labradoodle Association
- Ali. M. (et al), ‘Genetic Analysis of the Modern Australian Labradoodle Dog Breed Reveals an Excess of the Poodle Genome’, Plos Genetics (2020)
- Vredegoor, D. (et al), ‘Can f 1 Levels in Hair and Homes of Different Dog Breeds: Lack of Evidence to Describe Any Dog Breed as Hypoallergenic’, Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2012)
- Lockey, R. ‘The Myth of Hypoallergenic Dogs (and Cats)’, The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2012)