Goldendoodles are known and loved for their unique appearance (among many other things), especially their coats.
When they’re puppies, they tend to have soft uniform coats, but as they grow older, they will go through some natural changes and it can be difficult to determine what kind of coat they will have as adults.
So, do Goldendoodles get curlier with age? Goldendoodles coats can get curlier with age. As they grow older, they will shed their uniform puppy coats then gradually grow their final adult coats which can be curly, wavy, or straight. The kind of coat the dog will have when it grows will mainly depend on the dog’s genetics.
Keep reading to learn more about the kind of coats Goldendoodles have when they shed their puppy coats, and how to tell what kind of coat they will have when they’re adults.
What Kind of Coats Can Goldendoodles Have?
Goldendoodles shed their puppy coats then they can have three kinds of coats which are wavy, curly, or straight.
The coats have varying degrees of curliness and the kind of coat your Goldendoodle will have will mainly depend on the genes inherited from its parent dogs.
So, let’s take a closer look at the three main kinds of Goldendoodle coats and their properties:
Wavy Coat

Wavy coats are the most common kind of coat for Goldendoodles. They are also referred to as fleece coats and they have mixed characteristics of both poodles and golden retrievers.
This kind of coat is less dense compared to curly coats and it’s low shedding, so it’s easy to maintain.
It needs to be brushed at least once a week and if it’s not brushed, it will form tangles and knots that are difficult to remove.
The hair can grow to be about 4 to 7 inches if left untrimmed and it will typically be shorter around the face.
Curly Coats

Curly coats are the densest kind of coat for Goldendoodles. They are also referred to as teddy coats and they’re the most similar in characteristics to purebred Poodle coats.
This kind of coat is also low shedding, but it will require a lot more effort to maintain.
It needs to be brushed daily to prevent any tangling. It’s also recommended to get it professionally groomed 2 or 3 times a year.
It’s difficult to determine the length of the hair because of how dense the curls are, but it will eventually stop growing if it’s left untrimmed.
Straight Coats

Straight coats are the least common kind of coat for Goldendoodles. They are also referred to as hair coats, loose coats, or flat coats and they’re the most similar in characteristics to Golden Retrievers.
This kind of coat is moderate-high when it comes to shedding frequency, so it requires some effort to maintain. It needs to be brushed once or twice a week to remove any loose hairs and prevent any tangling.
When Do Goldendoodles Change from Puppy Coats to Adult Coats?
Goldendoodle will begin shedding their puppy coats when they reach 6 months of age. By the time they’re 8 months old or older, they will have grown their final adult coat.
This replacement adult coat that the Goldendoodle will grow will not always be as soft and fluffy as its puppy coat. It can be wavy, curly, or straight and it will typically be thicker and stiffer.
This process is commonly referred to as “blowing the coat” and it can happen suddenly or very gradually that many Goldendoodle owners won’t even notice it has started.
How to Tell What Kind of Adult Coat Your Goldendoodle Will Have?

As mentioned before, the kind of coat your Goldendoodle will have when it has fully grown will mainly depend on the dog’s genetics.
It can be very difficult to determine the kind of coat your dog will have because crossbreeding dogs can generally give unpredictable results with the puppies taking more after one parent than the other.
There are however some signs that can give you an indication of what kind of adult coat your dog will have.
What you need to do is take a close look at the area around the dog’s muzzle when it’s still a puppy:
- If the puppy has an excess amount of hair on top of its muzzle that gives a mustache-like appearance, then this usually indicates that the dog will have a curly coat when it grows.
- If the puppy has an excess amount of hair around its muzzle that gives a shaggy beard-like appearance, then this usually indicates that the dog will have a wavy coat when it grows.
- If the puppy has a small amount of hair around its muzzle that’s short and neat in appearance, then this usually indicates that the dog will have a straight coat when it grows.
Although many breeders and owners rely on this method to determine the kind of coat their Goldendoodle puppies will have, you need to keep in mind that it’s not an exact science and it will not always be 100% accurate.
Related Questions
How Long Does It Take for a Goldendoodle’s Coat to Grow?
It can take around 2 to 3 weeks for your Goldendoodle’s coat to start growing, then it will take about 2 to 4 months for the hair to reach its full length which ranges from 4 to 8 inches. The speed of your dog’s hair growth will depend on the dog’s genetics as well as the cause of hair loss.
Do Goldendoodles Coats Change Color with Age?
Goldendoodles coats do change color with age. That is because these dogs tend to shed their puppy coats then gradually grow their final adult coats. The change will not be drastic as the original color of the coat will either fade slightly or become darker.
Why Do Goldendoodles Get Mats?
Goldendoodles get mats mainly due to lack of a regular grooming routine or constant friction on certain parts of the dog’s body. The mats usually start out with just a few tangled strands then they develop into larger and denser clumps that can be very harmful to the dog.
Helpful Resources
Living with a Retriever: Recommendations and Sources
- Want the best diet for your dog? Check out the best and healthiest foods for golden retrievers at every age here – Dry, Wet, Homemade Recipes, and Treats!
- Looking for new toys? These toys will prove to be fun, engaging, and will stand their heavy chewing.
- Make them look GLAMOROUS with the best shampoos and conditioners and the best brushes here.
- Taking a walk? These are the best leashes, collars, and harnesses for the buck that you can find.
- Find my list of recommendations here.
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