How To Groom A Goldendoodle (A Complete Guide)

Quick Summary

• To groom a Goldendoodle you’ll need to brush its hair regularly, trim facial hair, and give it a general haircut.
• Choosing the right grooming tools and products is important to keep a Goldendoodle clean and healthy.
• Avoid shampoos and conditioners with chemicals. In addition to developing dry and itchy skin, your Goldendoodle may develop breakout or “hot spots”.

Some pet parents have made the decision to groom their Goldendoodles at home, and admittedly it is no small task. Depending on its coat type, how one grooms a precious pup varies. Let’s take a look at my guide and tips on how to groom a Goldendoodle at home or simply keep their coat healthy between visits to professional dog groomers. 

I love both the Poodle and Golden Retriever—so it’s no surprise that I’m an even bigger fan of the Goldendoodle which has the best things about both parent breeds. A Goldendoodle may have any of the four types of coat textures and coat colors from its parent breed. Although one may think varying coat textures could be the result of improper breeding, coat variations could actually appear in any generation of Goldendoodle. The puppies in any litter could take more of the genetics of their Golden Retriever parent at any time. Puppies in any litter with multiple generations of Goldendoodle breeding can have the flat, straight coat of the Golden Retriever parentage. 

There are three genes that contribute to a Goldendoodle’s coat. These genes affect coat curl, coat length, and furnishings. 

The “curl” gene is called KRT71, and a Goldendoodle may have a curly coat due to this gene. However a Goldendoodle could also possess a straight or more wavy coat due to the KRT71 gene. The type of coat a Goldendoodle inherits is due to the KRT71 gene in both parents. Even parents with a wavy coat can produce pups with either wavy or curly coat if they both carry the right gene. 

The “long hair coat” gene is referred to as FGF5, and since both Poodles and Golden Retrievers carry a long hair coat gene, it is possible that the Goldendoodle pup will have a longer coat. When compared to Labradoodles, the Goldendoodle often possesses a longer coat because of the genetics of the Golden Retriever and the Poodle. Interestingly enough, the long hair coat gene is recessive, so both parents—no matter the generation—must carry the FGF5 gene in order for the resulting pups to possess the long-haired coat. 

The “furnishings” gene, also called the improper coat gene or RSPO2 gene, is the one that causes the greatest amount of variations in a Goldendoodle coat. Furnishings is a term that refers to the longer hair on the face of a dog, the eyebrows, and the “mustache.” These “furnishings” give the Goldendoodle a “scruffy” look. Only one parent needs the “furnishings” gene in order to inherit these coat types. In addition, pet parents should know that a Goldendoodle that does NOT have “furnishings” is more likely to shed than the dogs with this gene. 

If you want to know what type of coat your future Goldendoodle puppy is going to have, it is important to ask the breeder about genetics. A reputable breeder can answer questions for you regarding the parents and their genetics. A more precise way, however, to learn more about your pup’s health and genetics is by using the best dog DNA test kits. Whatever kind of coat your Goldendoodle may have, however, it’s almost a guarantee that their fur is impeccable to for use as pesticides, yarn, and other DIY ways to recycle dog fur.

Goldendoodles often have one of four coat types: curly, flat, wavy, or straight. The flat coat, which makes the puppy resemble the Golden Retriever pet parent rather than the Poodle [1], is considered the “improper” coat. 

However, the straight coat is not the “improper” coat. The straight-coated Goldendoodle can possess a coat that has a “fluffy” texture. This pup will also possess the “furnishings” on its face. 

A pup that has a wavy coat often has one parent with the curl gene and one parent with a non-curl gene. At the same time, the curly-coated Goldendoodle will have parents that both have the curl gene. 

What are the tools I’ll need for Goldendoodle grooming?

You’ll need to purchase not only nail clippers or possibly a nail grinder (we’ll discuss momentarily) and you’ll need a slicker brush as well as a steel comb. These are the tools that all you need in order to carry out basic Goldendoodle grooming. 

How do I give my Goldendoodle a haircut?

To start your Goldendoodle grooming process, first you need to gather all the necessary grooming tools. You should already have the slicker brush and steel comb. You should also pick up a pair of the proper grooming scissors for the job—usually blunt-tipped or a ballpoint is best—as well as a pair of thinning shears. You’ll want to pick up a set of dog clippers; make sure there are detachable blades with a #10 blade included. You’ll need some coolant for the dog clippers, a clipper comb extension set, and the proper dog shampoo and conditioner (we’ll discuss choosing the right products momentarily). 

There are some steps to giving your Goldendoodle the perfect haircut, so we need to discuss those first. 

1. It is imperative to properly brush your Goldendoodle before a haircut.

This is especially true for dogs with longer and curlier coats. You’ll need the steel comb and the slicker brush for this part of the grooming process. 

First, take the slicker brush and go over the entirety of your Goldendoodle’s coat. You may find mats this way; if so, then you’ll want to utilize the steel comb to remove those matted dog hair. You may also need a grooming rake to fully detangle the Goldendoodle’s coat. Never continuously pull at the mat, however. This is painful for your Goldendoodle. It’s really best to use the scissors or the thinning shears to remove tougher mats. Smaller mats may be brushed out while bigger mats may need to simply be cut out. 

NOTE: If you notice your pup has a lot of mats, it is best to go ahead and shave them. Working tangles out can be extremely painful for your dog, and the most humane thing to do is simply shave off the tangles. One should also note that it is highly important for pet parents to regularly brush their Goldendoodle if they do not want Fido’s coat shaved. 

2. Trimming the facial hair of the Goldendoodle. 

One can take a pair of thinning shears to trim the facial hair of the Goldendoodle without removing that cute tuft of hair that provides the “scruffiness” of the dog’s facial furnishings. Use the steel comb to pull the hair away from the eyes of the Goldendoodle so that the hair isn’t cut too short or perhaps falls into the eyes of the pup. 

You’ll also want to trim down the hair around your Goldendoodle’s mouth and nose. 

3. Trimming the rear. 

As pet parents, it is important to learn how to trim dog hair. You may notice that your Goldendoodle seems to grow hair on its derriere a little more quickly, and you may notice that there are bits of waste that begin to cling to the hair. In order to keep this area clean and sanitary, it may be necessary to shave this area between trips to the groomer or every four weeks if you groom your Goldendoodle at home. You’ll want to use the clippers with the #10 blade for this job. Shave around the dog’s anus and his belly in order to prevent “cling-ons.” 

A word about your dog clippers. It is best to purchase dog clippers that are made for that most particular service. You’ll also want to invest in a pair of dog clippers that do not make a great deal of noise, especially if you have noticed Fido is quite nervous during grooming sessions. Dog clippers that have a low amount of noise, as well as a low amount of vibration, are best for nervous pups. Plus, if you purchase “human” clippers, they tend to overheat and can burn your pup’s tender skin. 

4. Choosing the right shampoo and conditioner for your pup. 

It is extremely important that you choose a shampoo and conditioner that are made from natural products that will not harm your pup’s skin. 

Many shampoos claim to be all-natural, but they really aren’t. Many dog shampoos are marketed by adding bright colors to the product, and there may be fragrances added as well. These two additives can wreak havoc on your pup’s skin, and they can make her absolutely miserable. 

When looking for a shampoo and conditioner, you’ll want to first read the ingredients list. Look for chemically-looking names that may or may not mention phthalates and parabens. There are also sulfates and terms such as yellow number 5 that indicate the product contains potentially harmful chemicals. Steer clear of these as these could harm your pet’s tender skin. 

Now, take the cap off and really look at the product inside. If the shampoo or conditioner is brightly colored and has a strong fragrance, you’ll want to leave this one on the shelf as well. 

A truly all-natural shampoo may be thin and have a watery consistency when compared to shampoo products that are laden with chemicals. The natural shampoo is likely to be very pale, perhaps a yellowish tinge of color —if the shampoo has any color at all. If the shampoo has any type of fragrance, it will be very light. Strong scents are indicative of a lot of chemicals added to the product, and you’ll want to avoid this. 

Why should I be so concerned about the additives in my dog’s shampoo?

These chemicals in a shampoo and conditioner can cause your dog’s skin to become dry and itchy. The chemicals can also elicit a strong allergic response to the product. In addition to the dry, itchy skin, your dog may develop breakouts. They may itch so horribly that they chew at their skin and develop “hot spots”—places in the coat where the dog’s hair falls out and leaves a patchy-looking coat. Learn how to treat your dog’s hot spots in case he gets them.

It is important to make sure you aren’t unwittingly giving your dog a product that can cause this type of reaction. Most times, vets will realize there is an allergy of some sort, but going through all the items that could cause this type of reaction takes time. You might be asked to change Fido’s diet as well, and, if the diet isn’t causing the allergic reaction, then you may notice that it is the shampoo. Again, your dog could go through months of being uncomfortable before you and the vet determine the shampoo that is making the skin irritated. 

What about the conditioner?

Use the same type of process to choose a conditioner and a detangler. Make sure there are no chemicals added to the product. Look at the ingredients in the products, and avoid those with any chemicals. 

How Short Should I Trim my Goldendoodle’s coat?

It is always best to trim it a little longer than you think is best. You can always adjust the blades on the clipper to trim a little more, but you can’t put the hair back on if you see that you’ve trimmed too much. 

Always start by brushing his hair and removing all tangles and mats. Larger mats may need to be cut out. Lots of large mats will require an all-over shave. 

Trim the “furnishings” on the face of the Goldendoodle. Again, trim a small amount; you can always trim a little more if necessary. 

Be sure to shave around the dog’s rear and under the belly to prevent matting as well as “cling-ons.” 

Cut the dog’s nails, making sure not to cut into the “quick.” One can use todays best dog nail grinder to make sure that the nails are safely trimmed. 

Choose a shampoo and a conditioner that is all-natural. You want to be sure that you read the ingredients list and avoid products with a lot of chemicals. 

FAQs

1. How do you groom a Goldendoodle at home?

Be sure to brush the Goldendoodle regularly to prevent tangling of your dog’s coat. Every four to six weeks, you’ll need to bathe your dog. You can choose to shave the dog or you can simply use scissors to trim the dog. Be sure to brush out any mats or tangles or you may need to cut them out prior to grooming. 

2. How should Goldendoodles be groomed?

A lot of that is up to the pet parent. However, it is imperative that mats and tangles are kept out of the coat of the Goldendoodle. 

3. Can I groom my own Goldendoodle?

Yes! This is especially easy if you choose the keep the Goldendoodle shaved. You can do this with a pair of dog clippers at home. 

4. How do you cut a Goldendoodle hair face?

Use ball-point or blunt-pointed scissors to keep hair from getting into the eyes and mouth areas of the Goldendoodle’s face.