If you own a doodle you already know how loveable and hilarious this breed can be. Their temperament is very sweet and they're known to be great family dogs. What a lot of people don't know before adopting a doodle is the upkeep of their coat, and general grooming requirements.
Lets start with the poodle coat. Poodles are naturally curly and usually coarse in texture. While most people believe they don't shed because their hair continues to grow the truth is that it does shed, just differently. When a dogs hair doesn't continually grow, (i.e. lab, golden, etc) their hair falls off the body regularly and usually collects in unwanted dust bunnies around the house. When a Poodle's coat sheds it doesn't fall off the body but stays tangled within the coat. This requires brushing to remove the loosened coat so that it does not become matted. The same is also true in other breeds that "don't shed". Their hair requires more maintenance to help remove the coat and prevent matting.
When thinking about adopting a Doodle it's important to think of the maintenance their coat requires. Grooming is recommended every 4-6 weeks starting at 8 weeks of age. You can expect to brush your dog at least 4 times a week at home to keep their coat tangle free.
Training is another very important aspect to keep in mind and plan for. Doodles tend to get big and smart fast! It's critical to start training when their minds are like sponges. Similar to babies, dogs have critical learning and developmental stages, and starting them young in training (8weeks) will save you the headache of having a large, unruly dog in the future. Training young will also help your dog during grooming as they will be learning manners that ensure they have a smooth and safe grooming experience.
Getting your doodle professionally groomed is not always cheap. A lot of grooming salons base their prices on breed, coat conditions, and weight. If you have a full size doodle you can expect to spend at least $75 on a basic groom if there is no matting. A lot of times there is an extra charge if needing to remove matting. (Keep an eye for our next post on matting.)
So while this breed is amazing and goofy, they do require a lot of upkeep. If you're willing to take the time to care for their coat, either at home or at the groomer, they could be the perfect fit for you. However, do yourself a favor and find yourself a great groomer early. We are always here to help!
- J & K
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