There is nothing better than having a cute and cuddly Goldendoodle puppy running around your house with its soft and silky coat. They’re one big bundle of fluff and fur, and many wonder if this luscious coat will last forever…
The sad news is that it won’t, but the good news is that their coats are still incredibly soft and beautiful when they grow their adult coats! Goldendoodle puppies shed their puppy coat and go through a full transition process. This usually takes place between the ages of 4 to 8 months.
Each Goldendoodle puppy is different, and the transition can be subtle or obvious and fast or slow. As they get older, their coats can even change color or texture.
This guide will tell you everything you need to know about the Goldendoodle puppy coat transition so you can be prepared and know what to expect when the time comes for your Goldendoodle to shed its puppy coat.
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What is a Puppy Coat?
Goldendoodle pups have the most incredible coats. They are fluffy, silky, and soft, making Doodles the most adorable bundles of fluff and fun. This breed is well-known for its coat – it’s their signature feature.
The coat is easy to maintain and care for during your pup’s first few months. You do not need to worry about knots or matting, and you also won’t have to brush through their puppy coat regularly.
But don’t be fooled!
No matter the generation or size of your Goldendoodle puppy, it will eventually shed and change its puppy coat. According to various breeders, F1, F1B, or F2 Goldendoodle pups only show a subtle change.
These generations generally have a soft adult coat, and most owners do not notice the change as it isn’t obvious. Their coats stay relatively the same from puppyhood into adulthood.
Unfortunately, the Goldendoodle puppy coat cannot last forever, and all youngsters will shed their puppy coat at some point. But the Goldendoodle puppy’s coat change is nothing to worry about. It is completely normal and just making way for their even more perfect adult coat!
The Goldendoodle Puppy Coat Transition
Some pet parents call this shedding process a “coat transition” or a “coat change”, but many Goldendoodle breeders refer to it as “blowing the coat.”
You cannot predict when your Goldendoodle puppy will shed its puppy coat, but in general, Goldendoodles usually blow their coats when they are between the age of four and eight months. However, you should note that a healthy Goldendoodle’s coat transition period can be short or last as long as two years.
In most cases, when Goldendoodles shed their coats, their adult coat is stiffer and denser than what it previously was. The coat quality is different for each dog, and you cannot predict your pup’s coat quality until they have fully transitioned and grown their full adult coat.
You need to know when your pup is going through the transition process. You will notice that they start shedding their soft, silky puppy coats. Goldendoodle puppies have a single coat at first, and it doesn’t all just fall off when they shed. They slowly lose these hairs and they get caught up in their fresh new adult coat.
This can lead to tangles (and a lot of fur around your house), so you must brush out your dog’s coat regularly when they start shedding. It prevents mats and keeps your house cleaner and more fur-free!
But as we mentioned, some owners may not notice the coat change due to the pup’s coat type. Other pet parents will be well aware of the coat change due to the fur everywhere and sudden matting in their fur baby’s coat. All Goldendoodles shed differently.
You can confirm that the shedding process has begun when you notice clumps of puppy fur and matting in your pup’s fur. Many Goldendoodle parents get quite worried when they first see this, as this breed is not considered a shedding dog, but it is nothing to worry about. Your Goldendoodle is healthy and perfectly fine. They are just getting older!
You will need to get into a regular grooming routine when your pup starts shedding its coat.
The transition process
All pups are different, so the shedding process will also be unique to every puppy. But the following are the main transition phases you can expect to see:
- Goldendoodle puppies always start off with a silky, soft coat
- You will start noticing mats in their coat
- You may start to notice clumps of dog hair around your house and falling from your pup’s coat
- Their coat starts to transition into an adult coat
- They will fully shed their puppy coat, and their adult fur will grow and set in
And depending on your pup’s genetics and lineage, the matting and shedding can go on for a few weeks or a couple of months. You may also see that your dog’s coat type changes. This can give them a charismatic look as their old coat mixes with the new.
By the time your fur baby reaches the age of one, their adult coat will be fully in or almost there. Once they have gone through their full transition, the matting and shedding will return to normal (a major sigh of relief!).
We highly recommend letting your pup swim a lot during the shedding process if you are struggling with all of the hair and the matting. The water can free the clumps of hair and helps prevent matting. You can also take your pup to a professional groomer to control the shed a bit more!
What areas are the biggest matting culprits?
Certain parts of their body will mat more than others, especially the areas that are high friction. Take note of the following spots, and be sure to give them some extra TLC during the Goldendoodle coat transition:
- The base of their tail
- Under their armpits
- The back of their haunches, legs, and elbows
- Under their ears
The Changes That Occur When Goldendoodles Shed Their Puppy Coats
In with the new, out with the old!
As your pup sheds and gets its new coat, you may start to notice a few changes as its coat will not always look how it used to. The most common changes are in the coat’s color and texture.
Change in color
You may have chosen your particular pup due to its beautiful coat color, so understandably, you’ll worry that your fur baby loses this color as their coat transitions. Unfortunately, in some cases, they will lose this color.
It is best to look at the features on their face. If their coat is darker in those areas, then their adult coat will likely be darker too.
But…
It can also go lighter and leave some cute dark markings on the face. Unfortunately, it can go either way and is not always that easy to tell. However, your pup’s coat will not go through a very dramatic change. You won’t see your Goldendoodle puppy go from black to white or chocolate brown to cream. But slight color shifts and changes are common and expected.
Their coat color can change for several different reasons, not just when your dog is losing its puppy hair. Other causes include:
Grooming
A pup’s coat can get darker if it is not groomed often enough. Regular grooming can help brighten and lighten the pup’s coat color. We cannot recommend regular grooming enough. It makes life more comfortable for your fur baby and has visible benefits for their overall look and aesthetics.
The Goldendoodle coat needs to be brushed if you want it to look shiny and healthy!
Sun Bleaching
Doggos love being outdoors, playing and lounging in the sun, and sun bleaching is a real thing. If your pup spends a lot of its time in the sun, you may notice that its darker colors will lighten a bit, and some of its fur may even turn white or yellow, depending on the sun bleaching or damage.
Age
As your puppy grows, you may notice that its coat color starts to fade a bit, just like humans start getting white or grey hairs. This can happen at any stage of your pup’s life.
Nutrition Issues
Your pup’s coat can also be affected by their health. If a dog is very malnourished, their coat can dry, fade, and change color. Since their natural luster fades, their coats start to appear darker than before. When their nutrition is balanced again, their coat will become lighter and brighter.
Texture
The coat texture is very dependent on a pup’s genes. Some Doodles will get curly coats as they grow up, while others may get a straighter coat or a bit of a wavy coat. The texture changes depending on whether the puppy inherited more Golden Retriever genes or more Poodle genes.
Some people wonder, when does a Goldendoodle’s hair get curly? And the fact is that there is no guarantee that it will get curly or not. It will all be a surprise when it gets to that point – straight-coat Goldendoodles do exist!
Straight or wavy coats are common if they take after the Golden Retriever, and if they take after the Poodle, you can expect a curly coat. Their adult fur will feel denser and stiffer than their puppy fur. This texture change happens so that their coats can be stronger and withstand the natural elements.
How to Figure Out What Coat Type Your Goldendoodle Will Have
Many pet parents want their Goldendoodle puppy due to its coat type and want to ensure that it will keep its coat into adulthood. So how can you determine what coat type your doggo will have when it loses its puppy fur?
There are three coat types and a few things to look out for that can give you a good indicator of what to expect from your pup’s coat as they age. Take note of the following:
- Does your dog have a defined and curly mustache?
- Is their muzzle neat and tidy?
- Does your Doodle have a scruffy and shaggy beard?
Your pup will likely have a curly coat if it has a defined and curly ‘stache. The pup will likely have a straight coat if its muzzle is neat and tidy. And if they have a shaggy beard, they will likely have a fleece or wavy coat.
But wait. These aren’t sure signs!
Their coats are unpredictable, and these things can only give you a feel of what to expect. Just because your puppy is curly now, it doesn’t mean it will stay that way. But whatever coat your pup ends up with, you will still have a loving, adorable, and beautiful fur baby!
Helpful Tips When Grooming Your Goldendoodle’s Coat
BarksInThePark can give you all the advice you need about Goldendoodles, and we have in-depth guides about properly grooming and caring for this wonderful breed.
You must start brushing and grooming your Doodle’s soft puppy fur a bit before and when they start their transition process. Not only will this decrease the shed around your house, but it also encourages a healthy and happy coat. The following are some helpful tips to help you introduce your fur baby to the grooming process:
Gentle brushing
Gently run your fingers through your pup’s fur and gently pull away any tangles. Ensure that you do not pull at your pup’s hair. If you find any stubborn mats or tangles, you can use a detangler spray to soften the knots and gently and slowly brush them out.
Goldendoodles are very curious dogs, so give them some time to sniff the grooming tools and supplies before you start so that they can get used to the tools you’ll be using. Be sure to use a soft bristle brush and do not scratch or press too hard on their skin.
Make it enjoyable and fun
It is best to make the grooming experience fun and exciting so that your pup almost looks forward to it. Choose a time when you can brush your puppy without time constraints, and you can take it slow.
Be patient with your fur baby and praise them often. Also, give them treats when they do well and cooperate. This way, they will learn that this is a fun experience.
Go to a professional groomer
Your Goldendoodle will need to go to a professional groomer occasionally, especially when they are an adult. It is best to take them every four to six weeks to get their nails trimmed, coat clipped, bathed, and ears cleaned.
Improper grooming or a lack of grooming can lead to some bad health issues, like rashes and infections. A visit to a professional groomer will also better prepare your pup for its next grooming session.
Handle their paws
Nail clipping is a crucial part of the grooming process. Most dogs hate this, so it is best to introduce them to nail clipping while they are young so that they can get used to it. It will also help make the process easier for you.
FAQ
Are F1b Goldendoodles always curly?
Many people believe that if they get their Goldendoodle puppy from an F1b litter, it is guaranteed that they’ll end up with a curly coat puppy. It is not always the case as their coats can easily change, and it is unpredictable. Each pup in the litter is different. An F1b litter can have a mix of curly and straight hair pups.
What is an improper coat on a Goldendoodle?
An improper Goldendoodle coat is characterized by short hair on their face, head, and legs as they do not have a very dominant RSPO2 gene. It is often called IC Locus.