A Labradoodle has a beautiful coat that requires good care. It seems difficult, but don't stress. In this blog, you'll read everything about grooming your doodle's coat. But first, a brief explanation about the life cycle of the coat.
Life cycle of a doodle coat
Your doodle is born with a puppy coat. This coat is soft and delicate. After a few months, it gives way to an adult coat. Only then will you know what type of coat your doodle has.
There are 3 types of coats:
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Curly (curly variant)
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Wavy (wavy variant)
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Curly Fleece (between curly and wavy)
The denser and fuller the coat, the faster it mats. But what they have in common: doodles shed little to not at all. That's nice for your house, but it means that dead hairs get stuck in the coat. And together, they form... yes: mats.
It's high time to give your dog the coat care he deserves.
How do you care for a doodle's coat?
1. Brush several times a week
Good brushing is the key to success. Brush extra thoroughly in vulnerable areas such as the groin, armpits, and neck.
When they are still young, you start with a double-sided brush. It has a soft side that allows your puppy to gently get used to brushing. The pins on the other side effortlessly detangle the coat.
Do they have an adult coat? Then you'll use a
slicker brush. How to use a slicker brush, you can read here.
Do this at least three times a week. This prevents mats and felting.
What are mats?
These are knots in the hair that do not come undone on their own.
The more curls, the greater the chance of mats. You comb these out with a
mat comb.
What is felting?
This
is a mat that becomes so large that you cannot brush it out. Then you use a
dematting comb.
2. Use a water blaster
A water blaster is indispensable for every doodle owner. With warm air, you blow sand, mud, and loose hairs out of the coat. At the same time, you blow out mats and you can check the skin for fleas and ticks.
You use the water blaster after washing, but also after your daily walk. Then you can easily blow the paws and coat clean again.
3. Wash your doodle
When the coat is dirty, it is important to wash it. Do this about once every two months. This ensures that the coat mats less quickly. 🫧
Use the right grooming products. This includes shampoo, conditioner, detangler, and coat spray. Using these makes the coat easy to comb through, healthy, and radiant. 🤩
4. Clip every 3 months
The longer the coat, the more care it needs. Therefore, it's best to trim/clip your doodle (or have it trimmed/clipped) every three months. ✂️
Such a grooming session can of course be costly. Do you want to try clipping yourself? Then choose a decent scissor set.
5. Pluck the ears
A lot of hair grows in your dog's ears. This can grow inwards and cause infections. Does your dog shake his head frequently or scratch his ear with his hind paws? Then you probably have a problem.
You prevent this by regularly plucking the hairs from the ear canal.
So, now your doodle's coat holds no more secrets for you.
