Doodles need regular grooming
Doodles are NOT a wash and dry dog. They have hair like you have. Even you brush your hair every day. But brushing and combing your puppy often at home, your puppy will still need a regular grooming every 6-8 weeks. This is to get them used to the groomer and the groomer will do things you don't do. Bath, dry, and of course, trim sanitary areas. Both of their private areas will need to be kept short to prevent poo being stuck or having smelly urine stains.
No matter what a groomer, your friend and family will say, your doodle will definitely need regular grooming care. You should start sending your puppy, once fully vaccinated, to a groomer for small things like clipping nails, a bath, a blowout, sanitary groom, just small things. Puppies do not need a huge cut at this point.
As it grows, it will need regular grooming care every 6-8 weeks in addition to being brushed three times a week.
It just takes a simple comb and brush to ensure there's no mats in your dog. You need to first comb the coat to find any mats. If you do find one, brush it out. If it's too tangled, use Cowboy Magic or Corn Starch. You have to do it at least three times a week. You also have to clip the nails and clean ears if needed.
If you have not been grooming at home, you probably have a very matted puppy. This is incredibly painful for your puppy. The entire coat on the puppy can become one piece of mat. I wish I was kidding. I am not. It will tear the puppy's skin, causing bruising and infections. This is what you want to prevent at all cost.
If your puppy's coat becomes entirely matted, it would mean that your groomer will have to shave all of it off to reduce the pain. It's way too painful for a groomer to try to brush through all of the mat. Shaving down is more humane and less painful for the dog.
This is the reality of owning a Doodle.
Wool coat: Coco
Coco has a beautiful curly coat which is also known as the Wool Coat. The Wool coat is most similar to a Poodle's coat. It can be in soft curls or tight curls. This coat will require regular grooming and combing. This coat is low to no shedding.
Fleece coat: Teddy
Teddy hasa gorgeous Fleece coat. The fleece coat can be soft spiraling curls or long and wavy. This coat will require regular grooming and brushing. This coat is low to medium shedding.
Improper coat: Alice
Alice hasan IC Coat aka Improper Coat. It's also known as Unfurnished Coat. Furnishings means the dog will have bushy eyebrows, have a beard, fluffy tails, etc. Since Alice received no furnishings, this means that genetically she received a coat that is more similar to the Labrador opposed to the Poodle. You can see it's mostly smooth on her face and body. This coat can be medium to high shedding. But it's very low maintenance when it comes to grooming.
Photo © Rust & Stardust Photography.
Steel Line Comb
This is to help you find mats in the coat.
Chris Christensen Slicker Brush
This is one of the best grooming brushes to help detangle mats for doodles. The Big G or Big K are strongly recommended.
Cowboy Magic
If a mat is being tough to detangle, Cowboy Magic can help you detangle it.
Pet Nail Clippers
You of course will need a nail clippers to keep their nails short.
Styptic Powder
If you accidentally cut the nail too short and it bleeds, this will help stem the bleed.
Zymox Otic Ear Cleaning Solution
If your dog's ears needs cleaning, this is the best ear cleaning solution to use.
Ear Powder
If your dog's ears tend to be wet or damp, this will keep it dry to prevent ear infections.
Puppy Shampoo
This is my favorite puppy shampoo.
Pet Hair Dryer
After baths, or being in the rain, or having snowballs stuck to your dog's fur, this will help dry the wet off. You cannot leave your dog damp which will create mats.
