When selecting a dog breed, there are many things you will have to consider, including the breed’s nature, size, trainability, feeding habits, and grooming needs.
Goldendoodles make great family pets, and being able to look after them properly includes dealing with their grooming needs.
This article will explore your Goldendoodle’s hair growth and the other important information you need to know.
Table of Contents
What Type of Coats do Goldendoodles Have?
Goldendoodles’ hair comes in 4 types: straight, flat, curly, and wavy.
The straight coat differs from the flat coat as it is sometimes fluffier. Wavy coats come from getting a non-curl gene from one parent and a curl gene from the other. Curly coats need both parents to present the curl gene.
Cutting A Goldendoodle’s Hair
Young Goldendoodles won’t need to get their hair trimmed, but after the age of six months, regular hair cuts between every 6 to 8 weeks are recommended to keep the dog’s hair maintained. You can read more about your Goldendoodle’s puppy coat transition so you know what to expect as they get older.
Leaving Goldendoodle’s hair can result in tangles and matting, and the adult coat will come in after 6 months, so you can start to keep it trimmed.
Trimming your dog’s hair can also help to keep them cooler during the summer months.
How Fast Does Goldendoodle Hair Grow?
Goldendoodles’ hair grows at different speeds depending on the particular dog’s age and health. Younger dogs will have faster hair growth than senior dogs, but you can typically expect a hair growth rate of around half to three-quarters of an inch per month.
Diets, lifestyles, and illness can all cause issues with a dog’s hair growth cycle and the rate at which shaved Goldendoodle’s hair grows back.
The hair growth cycle has four distinct phases, these include;
- Anagen – The anagen phase of the hair growth cycle is the active growth phase that continues until it reaches its maximum length.
- Catagen – The catagen stage is the point at which the hair stops growing.
- Telogen – The telogen stage of the dog’s hair growth cycle is when the hair rests with no activity.
- Exogen – The exogen stage is the final stage and is when the dog’s hair sheds. Most Goldendoodles are considered low-shedding dogs, making them a good option for people with mild allergies.
How Long Does A Goldendoodle’s Coat Grow?
As with the speed at which Goldendoodle hair grows, the length will vary between dogs. Once again, factors such as health, diet, and genetics all come into how long your dog’s hair will grow, much as it does with humans.
On average, uncut hair can grow to around 8 inches, but it is perfectly normal for your dog’s hair to grow to a shorter or longer length.
Goldendoodle face and paw hair will typically grow significantly shorter, but it still may need to be trimmed for comfort or appearance.
How to Look After a Goldendoodle’s Coat
If you own a Goldendoodle, taking care of their hair should be a priority, along with their health and training.
This advice does not constitute pet medical advice and should only be seen as a guide. If you are concerned about your dog’s hair growth or any other issues with the coat, consulting your vet is advised.
Healthy Diet
The health of your Goldendoodles’ hair will be directly impacted by the diet you feed it. A balanced diet that contains the essential nutrients needed for your dog’s development is essential.
High-quality dog food that contains protein, zinc, and oils that contain omega-3 fatty acids can help improve your dog’s coat.
Protein is essential for healthy hair and skin, while bacterial infections, itchy skin, and hair health can all be improved by a diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and zinc.
Salmon with skin, cod with skin, chia seeds, ground flaxseeds, and canned sardines are great sources of Omega-3.
Zinc can be found in a great range of ingredients, including duck, chicken, broccoli, spinach, sardines, salmon, and beef.
Your dog should be provided protein-rich ingredients such as beef, chicken, duck, salmon, rabbit, and pork.
Cleaning
Bathing your Goldendoodle will help to keep the coat looking great and free from dirt and parasites.
Bathing your Goldendoodle around once a month will help to keep the dog’s skin and coat clean and healthy. However, you might need to add a few quick cleans in between this if the dog gets mucky.
Before bathing your Goldendoodle, you should give it a good brush. This is another important part of your dog’s hair care routine that we will cover in the following section.
Choose a good dog shampoo and have a towel to hand; otherwise, you might end up wetter than the dog by the end of the bath.
Using a nonslip mat in the bath can help the dog feel more secure and minimize the risk of anxiety.
You should always try to keep a calm, soothing, and praising tone when washing your dog so it associates it with being a positive experience.
Use lukewarm water to soak the dog leaving the head until last.
You should then apply the dog shampoo and massage it into the coat. Never use human shampoo, as it will disrupt the acid mantle and make your dog more vulnerable to viruses, bacteria, and parasites.
Rinsing the shampoo from the dog’s coat can take a bit of time, but leaving soapy residue can cause issues. Start at the top of the coat and work your way down.
Use a damp washcloth to clean your dog’s face last of all. This way, the dog won’t react to water in its eyes during the wash.
Try to wipe the dog down to remove some of the excess moisture before using a towel to dry the dog.
Try to be quick with the towel after you have finished. If you leave a gap, the dog will shake and soak your bathroom and you.
Gently use the towel in the direction of the hair to minimize the risk of twists and tangles.
You can then use a pet grooming hair dryer to dry the coat before brushing it one last time.
Brushing
Brushing your dog’s hair will help to remove dead hair, tangles, dirt, and pests. Brushing at least once a week is essential, and it is better to brush the coat twice a week using a slicker brush.
Some dogs might not like being brushed, so lots of praise and play in between help to make it an enjoyable experience.
FAQs
Should I take my dog to a professional groomer?
If you have no experience trimming dog hair, taking the time to visit a professional groomer can help to ensure your ‘doodle’s hair does not suffer.
Letting your Goldendoodle’s hair grow can give it a great look, but it is significantly more difficult to maintain.
Dog owners will benefit from regular trims when it comes to brushing and bathing. This will help your Goldendoodle maintain a healthy fur coat.
Are Goldendoodles hypoallergenic?
Strictly speaking, no dog is truly hypoallergenic. However, some dogs shed significantly less than others making them more suitable for mild allergy sufferers.
The dander (dead skin flakes) that are released with shedding hair cause the allergic reaction.
Goldendoodles get their hypoallergenic qualities from the Poodle portion of their DNA.
Regularly brushing and washing your dog can help to minimize the risk of allergies as well.
What is the best type of haircut to get for a Goldendoodle?
This will be entirely up to you and your dog. Some dogs suit different styles, and some react more favorably to others.
One great haircut that suits curly Goldendoodles is the Teddy Bear cut. This results in an adorable haircut that will please passersby as much as it does you.
Do I have to shave my dog in the summer?
This will be up to you. While shaving your dog for the summer can help to keep it cooler, it is not always necessary.
Dogs have evolved so that their hair can help to protect them from the sun. If you shave your dog’s hair, you should be careful in case it gets sunburned.
If you do shave your dog’s hair, it won’t take too long for your Goldendoodle’s hair to grow back.
Final Thoughts
Letting your dog’s hair grow can make it difficult to manage and result in matted hair. A complete shave can help to minimize the difficulty of your grooming routine and bathing.
Goldendoodles typically have a thick coat, and each grooming session can be particularly challenging.
Ensuring you make grooming and bathing a positive experience for your dog by being gentle, reassuring, and praising them.
Goldendoodles are an excellent breed for a family pet, but you should be aware that their hair grows rather quick and will require some upkeep to keep it looking great. Visit our homepage if you’re looking for more information about this breed before adding one to your family.