How Often Should A Labradoodle Be Groomed?

Coat Types of the Labradoodle Parent Breeds

The Labradoodle is a hybrid dog with one Poodle parent and one Labrador Retriever parent. These two breeds have very different coat types, which we will look at in greater detail.

The Poodle Coat

The Poodle has a single coat of dense, curly hair that is generally coarse in texture. Unlike the fur of other dogs, the hair continues to grow and gives the impression of not shedding. However, Poodles do shed, but the hair sheds tangles in the curls instead of falling out.

For this reason, Poodles have a reputation for being “hypoallergenic” dogs. But although they are less likely to cause allergy problems, you must consider that many people are allergic to the proteins that dogs produce in their saliva, whatever the breed. The Poodle coat is high maintenance requiring regular clipping by a professional groomer.

The Labrador Retriever Coat

The Labrador Retriever has a double coat, which means they have two layers of fur. The topcoat is often wiry and abrasive, medium in length, and water repellent, whereas the undercoat is softer, lighter, and insulating.

Labs shed all year round, having a complete blowout twice a year in the spring and fall, so they are not a good choice of dog for those allergic to pet dander. However, their coat is easier to maintain than a Poodle as they do not need clipping.

The Labradoodle Coat

Your puppy’s genetic line will determine the type of coat they will have in adulthood. If they have more genetics from the Poodle parent, the coat will most likely be a single layer that is dense, thick, curly, and non-shedding, often referred to as either fleece or wool.

However, if your puppy takes after the Labrador Retriever parent, you can guarantee all year shedding and a twice-yearly blowout. If you are after a non-shedding Labradoodle, you want to go for a puppy from a later generation, as 89% of first-generation Labradoodles will have a hair coat.

Labradoodle Coat Types

As a Poodle Labrador Retriever mix, a Labradoodle will have one of three types of coats:

• Hair coat – This coat is straight and typical of the Labrador breed, shedding often. Labradoodles with a hair coat have a more scruffy appearance than the teddy bear look of many Labradoodles.
• Fleece coat – This shaggy coat is a beautiful combination of both parent pups and varies from slightly wavy to noticeably wavy. It is soft to touch and has the appearance of wool, being a popular choice with owners as it usually sheds very little or not at all.
• Wool coat – This coat has the least amount of undercoat, so it does not shed, making it the ideal choice for those with allergies. It is thicker and denser than the fleece or hair coats. Some Labradoodles have tight curls similar to the Poodle, whereas others have looser curls. A wool coat does not have the same dog odor as the other two.

How Often Should a Labradoodle Be Groomed?

A Labradoodle with straight hair will shed all year continuously, but their grooming requirements are far more manageable than those with a wavy or curly coat.

A Labradoodle’s fur should not grow longer than 4 to 6 inches. A long coat is more prone to matting which is painful for your dog, and why regular clipping and trimming is so important.

But whatever coat type your Labradoodle has, they will need their teeth brushed at least three times a week, their ears cleaned once a week, and regular trimming of the nails.

How Often Should a Labradoodle be Groomed if it has Straight Hair

If your Labradoodle has straight hair, you will need to give them a good brushing and combing session twice a week to keep their shedding under control. The frequency needs to increase to daily sessions during seasonal shedding. Regular bathing also helps remove shedding hair.

How Often Should a Labradoodle be Groomed with a Wool or Fleece Coat

A Labradoodle which has a fleece or wool coat is more challenging to maintain than one with straight hair and will require brushing at least once a week using a slicker brush to remove mats and tangles.

Depending on how fast the fur grows, you will need to take your Labradoodle to a professional groomer to clip their coat every four to twelve weeks. Regular clipping will keep your Labradoodle’s skin and coat healthy, keeping them cool during the summer months.

Labradoodle Haircuts

Here we look at some of the low maintenance haircuts for a Labradoodle.

Short Labradoodle Cut

A short haircut is simple and straightforward, with the hair being no more than one inch in length over the whole body, keeping it clean and tangle-free. Having the coat short means your Labradoodle won’t require frequent brushing.

Long Labradoodle Cut

A long haircut is the same as a shortcut, but the hair is two inches long, giving your Labradoodle a cuddly look! This cut will require frequent brushing to keep it tangle-free.

Teddy Bear Labradoodle Cut

The coat is cut to the length of your choice for the cute teddy bear look, leaving the face and ears with longer hair. This cut is more high maintenance as you will need to do frequent touch-ups.

When Should a Labradoodle Have Their First Haircut?

A young Labradoodle can have their first haircut when they are around four to six months old and fully vaccinated. As they develop an adult coat, you can start regular grooming.

How Often Should a Labradoodle be Groomed?

If your Labradoodle has a fleece or wool coat, it will need grooming approximately every four to twelve weeks to keep the fur clean and free of tangles. A hair coat is far easier to maintain as it just requires brushing twice a week to remove loose hairs.

More About Labradoodle Coats

• Labradoodle coat types
• Fleece coat Labradoodle
• Flat coated Labradoodle
• Wool coat Labradoodle
• What type of coat does my Labradoodle have?
• Are Labradoodles fussy, or low maintenance?

References and Resources

• Nicholas et al. Dog Allergen Levels in Homes with Hypoallergenic Compared with Nonhypoallergenic Dogs, American Journal Rhinology and Allergy, 2011.
• Basil, AM. Genetic analysis of the modern Australian labradoodle dog breed reveals an excess of the poodle genome, PLOS GENETICS, 2020.
• Van Rooy et al. Association between coat colour and the behaviour of Australian Labrador retrievers. Canine genetics and Epidemiology, 2019.
• Mariti et al. Evaluation of dog welfare before and after a professional grooming session. Dog Behavior, 2015.