Goldendoodles are all the rage right now because of their inherited traits from their Golden Retriever parent: playful, affectionate, loyal, and family-friendly.
They’re also in demand at the moment because Goldendoodle coats are considered to be hypoallergenic, so they’re an excellent dog for those with allergies, but we’ll get more into that further on.
People also just love the look of Goldendoodles because they don’t grow to be too large, and some think that they resemble teddy bears, making them even cuter.
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What’s The Difference Between Hair and Fur?
So straight to the question at hand: “Do Goldendoodles have hair or fur?” Well, the answer is that they have both, and it’s all dependent on what type of coat your Goldendoodle has.
Wavy coats or curly coats are considered to be hair, while straight and flat coats are considered to be more like fur. So you must be wondering what the difference between fur and hair is.
Hair and fur are both made from keratin, and both can be found covering a dog’s body. The difference is that hair often feels soft and finer in texture, while fur is coarser and sheds more often.
If you’re still unsure from just looking or feeling it, you can also use the length as a determining factor. A long coat will likely be hair, while a short coat is more likely to be fur. While hair is more allergy-friendly than fur, it also requires more grooming and maintenance.
In terms of Goldendoodles, this means that a curly coat or a wavy coat will be hair. While a straight coat is likely to be fur.
Is It Possible to Know What Coat My Goldendoodle Puppy Will Have?
There’s a big difference in appearance between the parent breeds of Goldendoodles, so there’s a lot of room for variation between a Poodle coat and a Golden Retriever coat.
It may be hard to guess what kind of coat your Goldendoodle puppy will have just by looking at its fur because all puppy coats have very strong similarities. On top of that, it’s likely that the color of your Goldendoodle’s coat will change as it grows older.
As a general rule, Goldendoodles will change their coat as they get older. It’s not possible to know with 100% certainty what kind of adult coat your Goldendoodle will have, but there are ways of guessing with a fair amount of accuracy.
There are some early signs that can give you some kind of indication of what type of coat your Goldendoodle puppy will have.
DNA testing
The best way to know, with any amount of certainty, what kind of coat your puppy will have, is to buy from an experienced and reputable breeder.
The puppy’s genetics will determine what kind of coat it’s going to have as an adult dog, and it’s become common for good breeders to start DNA testing their dogs. They do this to determine what kind of coat the puppies will have but also to screen for potential health problems.
If the Goldendoodle puppy isn’t a first-generation puppy, then taking a look at its parents can give you an indication of how its adult coat will turn out. Goldendoodle parents that have more of a fleece coat will result in a dog with a wavy coat.
In the same vein, if you get an F1b Goldendoodle, then there’s a higher chance of your dog having a wavy or curly coat.
Signs in the snout
One of the ways you can check what type of coat your Goldendoodle will have is by checking its snout. The way that the hair grows around the snout is one of the ways you can determine what adult coat your puppy will have.
If the hair around the snout has a strong mustache-like appearance, then your Goldendoodle will likely have a curly coat.
If the hair around the snout and muzzle has a strong, shaggy, beard-like appearance, then your Goldendoodle will likely have a wavy coat.
If the hair around the snout is quite short, then your Goldendoodle is likely to have a straight coat.
Goldendoodle coat stages
The process of your Goldendoodle puppy shedding its puppy coat can be very sudden, or it can happen quite gradually, taking anywhere from weeks to months! You might not notice if it happens gradually until it’s already done, but a puppy coat tends to be softer and fluffier than an adult coat.
Sometimes, the adult coat will be just as soft and fluffy as the puppy coat or a similar coat type, so you won’t notice the transition of coats at all.
Types of Goldendoodle Coats
There are four main types of Goldendoodle coat types. It’s imperative that you know what kind of Goldendoodle coat you’re dealing with because this will allow you to know how to best groom your dog and give it the life it deserves.
It’s also a good idea to be familiar with the different Goldendoodle coats before you get a puppy so that you can be sure your Goldendoodle puppy’s coat will transition into one you like and can live with.
Especially if you suffer from allergies, your dog’s coat can be a very important factor in deciding which breed or type you want.
Wavy coats
These are the most common types of coats found in the most popular Goldendoodle generations and are sometimes known as fleece coats. This is the coat that most people imagine when they think of Goldendoodles. This coat typically sheds very minimally.
Curly coats
A Goldendoodle that has very tightly curled hair will have inherited that gene from its Poodle parent. This coat is the most high maintenance.
A curly coat is very similar to fleece coats in that it’s very dense and closely resembles the coats you typically see on a Poodle. A curly coat can have either loose curls or more wooly and bunched-together curls.
This coat sheds very minimally or not at all and makes this coat the most sought-after for its hypoallergenic properties.
Flat coats
This coat is most similar to a Golden Retriever’s coat. It is most common in F2 Goldendoodles and typically doesn’t have furnishings.
This coat is easier to maintain than the curly coat, but they also tend to shed a lot more.
Straight coats
In this case, it’s likely that your puppy has one “non-curl” gene from the Golden Retriever parents and one “curl gene” from the Poodle parent.
The terms “straight coat” and “flat coat” are sometimes used interchangeably. The main difference between a flat coat and a straight coat is that Goldendoodles with a straight coat typically have furnishings, and their fur is fluffier.
Furnishings and an improper coat
When someone talks about a Goldendoodle’s “furnishings”, they are referring to the mustache, beard, and eyebrows that are commonly associated with Goldendoodles.
“Improper coat” is a term that’s used when referring to a coat that doesn’t have furnishings. This term is sometimes used interchangeably with flat coat.
Grooming the Different Coat Types
Here at Barksinthepark, we love Doodles. But, depending on what Goldendoodle coat types you’re dealing with, grooming your dog can be a high-maintenance endeavor. Of course, you don’t have to groom your own dog. A wavy coat or a curly coat can cause even the bravest of people to give up. You can regularly take your dog to the groomers and see what advice they have for you.
Wavy coats
This is a very shaggy coat, and it will need to be brushed regularly to avoid developing matted and knotted hair. It’s recommended that you bathe your dog regularly with high-quality shampoo and make sure to brush thoroughly at least twice a week.
You’re welcome to brush more often if you determine that there are lots of problem areas. A common problem area is the collar region. When well taken care of, this coat should be soft and great for cuddling with your canine companion.
You should use a slicker brush when brushing your dog’s coat and start from the bottom or root and work your way up. It’s a good idea to keep some shears handy to snip off any tangles you may encounter as well as debris trapped in the coat.
Wash your dog at least once a month and whenever they get really dirty. You do have to find a good balance if your dog is muddy or dirty often so that you don’t cause their skin to dry out.
Curly coats
This coat requires brushing often, preferably daily, to prevent the hair from becoming matted. You should also use a slicker brush just as you would with a wavy coat. Most owners will choose to get their dog’s hair clipped to manage it easier.
You can allow the curls to grow out and get it professionally groomed if this amount of maintenance becomes too much for you, but it’ll be difficult to gauge how dirty your dog is because a curly coat tends to trap dirt close to the skin.
This is especially important if you have an adventurous Goldendoodle. They’ll probably need to be groomed more often to make sure that there isn’t any dirt or debris trapped in their fur.
Flat coats
This coat doesn’t need to be brushed out nearly as much as the other coats. To maintain a healthy and shiny flat coat, you only have to brush it about once a week.
You can wash this coat more often than you would a curly or wavy coat, but it’s always good to get the opinion of a professional groomer
Straight coats
This coat is more like the coat you’d typically see on a Golden Retriever. This coat requires daily brushing to ensure that the hair doesn’t become matted or knotted. This type of coat also sheds quite often.
The straight coat is one of the less high-maintenance coats that doesn’t require much work, so it may be preferable if you suffer from allergies.
FAQs
When will my Goldendoodle get its final adult coat?
Of course, this can vary from dog to dog, but typically a Goldendoodle puppy will get its adult coat anywhere between five to eight months old.
Are Goldendoodle coats hypoallergenic?
It can’t be said that any dog is 100% or completely hypoallergenic, but as long as you pick a coat that doesn’t shed a lot, you can consider your dog hypoallergenic. Despite their shedding, Goldendoodle coats still shed less than other breeds.
Do Goldendoodles smell?
Just like any other breed of dog, a Goldendoodle coat can have a smell if it is not properly maintained or if they have a health issue.
Final Thoughts
So whether or not your Goldendoodle has hair or fur, it’s imperative that you educate yourself on the different types of coats that Goldendoodle puppies can grow into and how to groom them. This is especially true if you have your heart set on owning a Goldendoodle with a wavy coat or a curly coat.