Goldendoodles are famous for having curly hair which gives them a unique teddy-bear appearance. However, these coats are very prone to get tangled and matted if they were not properly maintained.
So, how to keep your Goldendoodle’s hair curly? To keep your Goldendoodle’s hair curly, you need to establish a grooming routine that involves regular brushing and bathing as well as provide the dog with a high-quality diet. You can also use some natural ingredients and supplements to remove tangles and strengthen the hair follicles.
Keep reading to learn more about the properties of curly hair in Goldendoodles, how to determine if your Goldendoodle will have curly hair, and how you can keep a Goldendoodle’s hair curly.
Do All Goldendoodles Have Curly Hair?

Not all Goldendoodles have curly hair. The kind of hair they grow when they completely mature will mainly depend on the dog’s genetics and the parent breed they take after the most.
When they’re puppies, Goldendoodles have smooth flat coats and as they get older, they will shed these puppy coats and grow their final coats which might be curly, wavy, or completely straight. You can learn more about how do goldendoodles’ coats change as they get older here.
What Are the Properties of Curly Hair in Goldendoodles?
Curly hair has many properties that make it the most desired characteristic in Goldendoodles.
It’s the most hypoallergenic of as it sheds the least compared to other coat kinds. It also fits the breed’s standard the most and gives them a teddy-bear appearance that’s similar to Poodles.
However, it’s the most prone to tangling and matting, so it requires more time and effort to groom and maintain in good shape.
How to Determine If Your Goldendoodle’s Hair Will Be Curly?
As mentioned before, the kind of hair your Goldendoodle will have mainly depends on its genetics.
Curly hair is a result of a gene called Cu locus. So, the more of the Cu locus gene a Goldendoodle carries, the curlier its hair will be.
To determine whether a Goldendoodle’s hair will be curly, many owners and breeders test the dog’s parents to check if they’re carrying the gene responsible for curly hair.
If you’re unable to test the dog’s parents, you can usually determine the kind of hair your dog will have by inspecting the area around its muzzle. If there’s an excess amount of hair on top of the dog’s muzzle with a mustache-like appearance, then it’s likely to have curly hair.
How to Keep Your Goldendoodle’s Hair Curly?

To keep your Goldendoodle’s hair curly, you need to establish a grooming routine that involves regular brushing and bathing. You also need to provide the dog with a high-quality diet that contains enough calories and all the necessary nutrients.
These are two important aspects that will help keep the dog’s coat in a healthy condition and preserve its natural curly appearance.
Now, let’s discuss in more detail how you can establish a grooming routine for your dog and provide it with a high-quality diet:
Establishing a Grooming Routine
The first step of any grooming routine is brushing your dog to remove any loose hair and prevent its hair from tangling.
It’s generally recommended to brush Goldendoodles with curly hair once or twice a week. However, keep in mind that the curlier your dog is, the more often it needs to be brushed.
To properly brush your Goldendoodle’s hair, you need to divide the hair into smaller sections with a fine-toothed metal comb, then slowly brush through each section with a slicker brush to remove all tangles.
After you’re done brushing, go over the dog’s hair with a bristle brush to pick up any loose hairs.
The second step of the grooming routine is bathing your dog to prevent its hair from accumulating dirt and protect it from infections and other skin conditions.
It’s generally recommended to bathe Goldendoodles with curly hair at least once a month. However, keep in mind that bathing your dog too often will cause its hair to weaken and fall out more frequently.
To properly bathe your Goldendoodle, you need to wet its coat from the neck down, then apply a dog-friendly shampoo and make sure to spread it evenly over the dog’s hair.
Make sure to rinse the shampoo off the dog’s hair completely and dry it thoroughly to avoid causing an irritation to the dog’s skin.
Providing a High-Quality Diet
Improving your Goldendoodle’s diet will help keep its coat healthy, strengthen its hair follicles, and minimize hair loss.
It’s recommended to ensure that the dog is eating enough calories for its size and energy levels.
It’s recommended that the dog’s diet contain high amounts of nutrients like protein omega-3, and omega-6 fatty acids and to avoid canned dog foods that contain fillers or byproducts.
Natural Remedies You Use to Maintain Your Goldendoodle’s Curly Hair
There are some natural remedies you can use to maintain your Goldendoodle’s curly hair as they will help remove tangles, moisturize the dog’s skin, and strengthen the hair follicles.
So, let’s take a closer look at some of these natural remedies:
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil will help moisturize the dog’s skin, loosen any hair tangles, and make your dog’s coat shinier.
You can massage the dog’s coat with the oil or add a few drops of it to the dog’s shampoo.
Cornstarch
Cornstarch will help loosen any severe tangles in the dog’s hair which will make it a lot easier to brush.
You can mix the cornstarch with water to create a paste to apply on the tangled area, then rinse it thoroughly. You can also sprinkle dry cornstarch on the tangled area before brushing through it.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal will help soothe the dog’s skin and maintain its coat’s glow. It’s highly recommended for use on dogs that tend to scratch themselves as it will ease the itchiness.
You can mix the oatmeal with water during the dog’s bath and massage it through the dog’s coat for a few minutes before rinsing.
Herbal Supplements
Herbal supplements such as horsetail and spirulina, can soften the dog’s hair and strengthen its hair follicles.
However, make sure to consult with a vet before using any supplements to determine the right dosage for your dog.
Related Questions
Do You Need to Trim Goldendoodles with Curly Hair?
You need to trim Goldendoodles with curly hair because they’re more prone to getting tangled and matted. It’s generally recommended to trim your Goldendoodle’s hair once every 6 weeks. It should take the dog’s hair about 2 to 3 weeks to grow back, then about 2 to 4 months to reach full length.
Which Grooming Tools to Use for Goldendoodles?
The grooming tools to use for Goldendoodles include a fine-tooth metal comb to part the hair, a slicker brush to loosen any tangles, and a bristle brush to pick up any loose hair remaining on the dog’s coat. Electric clippers or scissors might also be needed if the dog’s hair will be trimmed.
Helpful Resources
How to groom a dog with curly hair
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