Labradoodles are a cross between Labrador Retrievers and Poodles which is why it’s not always easy for their owners to tell what type of coat they will have.
So, how to tell what coat a labradoodle puppy will have? To tell what coat a labradoodle puppy will have, you can take a look at the genetics of the dog’s parents to see if they’re carrying more of the Poodle curly coats genes or the Labrador’s straight coat genes. You can also sometimes tell by looking at the hair around the dog’s muzzle.
Continue reading to learn more about the different types of Labradoodle coats, how to tell what type of coat a Labradoodle will have, and how to properly groom your Labradoodle’s coat.
The Different Types of Labradoodle Coats
Labradoodles have 3 different types of coats which are hair coats, fleece coats, and wool coats. These coats have different textures and varying degrees of curliness.
So, let’s break down the main characteristics of each of the 3 types of Labradoodle coats:
Hair Coats
- Hair coats are also known as straight coats or flat coats.
- This kind of coat is considered the least common kind among Labradoodles and the closest in appearance to purebred Golden Retrievers.
- It’s completely straight, moderately dense, and the most shedding, but it doesn’t require a lot of effort to groom.
Fleece Coats
- Fleece coats are also known as wavy coats or shaggy coats.
- This kind of coat is considered the most common among Labradoodles.
- It’s soft, loose, moderately dense, and relatively low-shedding, so it doesn’t require a lot of effort to groom and prevent from tangling.
Wool Coats
- Wool coats are also known as curly coats or teddy coats.
- This kind of coat is the most desired by Labradoodle owners as it’s the closest in appearance to purebred Poodles.
- It’s coarse, extremely dense, and the least shedding, but it’s the most prone to tangling and matting so it needs a lot of effort to groom.
Why Do Labradoodles Have Different Types of Coats?
As puppies, Labradoodles have similar single-layered coats that are very smooth and soft to the touch. By the time they’re about 6 months old, they will shed their puppy coats and grow their final mature coats which vary in texture.
The kind of mature coat a Labradoodle will have mainly depends on the genetics the dog has inherited and the parent breed it takes after most. That’s why it’s somewhat difficult to the type of coat Labradoodles will have as they’re a crossbreed.
How to Tell What Type of Coat Your Labradoodle Will Have?
The most effective way for breeders and owners to tell what type of coat their Labradoodle will have is to take a look at the genes that each of the parents is carrying.
The gene responsible for curly coats is known as the Cu locus gene and it mostly comes from the Poodle parent. So, the more of the Cu locus gene a dog is carrying, the curlier its coat will be.
If you’re unable to test the genetics of the dog’s parents, you can also tell the type of coat your Labradoodle will have by looking at the hair around its muzzle:
If your dog has a lot of hair on around its muzzle giving it a shaggy mustache or a beard, then it’s likely to have a curly coat or a wavy coat. Meanwhile, If your dog has little hair around the muzzle that’s short and neat, then it’s likely to have a straight coat.
Keep in mind that this is not always a reliable way to tell what kind of coat your Labradoodle will have and a genetic test will be a lot more accurate. I also have another guide on how to tell what kind of coat will your Goldendoodle have that is worth checking out if you are interested in getting a Goldendoodle instead.
Do Different Types of Labradoodle Coats Need Different Methods of Grooming?
Different types of Labradoodle coats do need different methods of grooming. That is because these kinds of coats have different lengths and textures as well as varying degrees of curliness.
Longer and curlier coats are more prone to tangling than shorter and straighter coats, so typically they will require more time and effort to groom.
How to Groom Your Labradoodle’s Coat?
It’s very important to maintain a regular grooming routine for your Labradoodle to keep its coat healthy and in good shape.
So let’s take a break down the basics of how to groom your Labradoodle’s coat:
How to Brush Your Labradoodle?
Brushing your Labradoodle will help prevent it from tangling and remove any loose hair.
To properly brush your Labradoodle, you need to divide its hair into smaller sections using a fine-toothed metal comb, then you need to brush through each section of hair using a slicker brush to remove any tangles.
After you’re done with tangles, you need to go over the dog’s coat using a bristle brush to pick up any loose hairs.
It’s generally recommended to brush your Labradoodle at least once or twice a week. However, it mainly depends on the type of coat your dog has since longer, curlier coats will need to be brushed more often than shorter, straighter coats.
How to Bathe Your Labradoodle?
Bathing your labradoodle will help prevent its coat from accumulating dirt, grease, dead skin, and bacteria which will help protect it from infections and other skin conditions
To properly bathe your Labradoodle, you need to get its coat wet with warm water starting from its neck down to its tail, then you need to apply a sufficient amount of a dog-friendly shampoo and spread it evenly on the dog’s coat.
Make sure to rinse all of the shampoos off and dry your dog completely because any remains of shampoo or water on the dog’s coat might lead to some irritation.
To clean your dog’s face, you can wipe it with a cloth soaked in water or dog-friendly wipes. Avoid getting water directly on your dog’s face or using any shampoo as the areas around the dog’s eyes and mouth are very sensitive
It’s recommended to bathe your Labradoodle at least once every month. However, if your dog is prone to playing outside and getting dirty, you will need to bathe it more often. You should also dry them quickly, and you can learn how to dry your dog quickly after a bath here.
Other Important Tips You Should Know About Grooming Labradoodle
Here are some other important tips you need should know about grooming your Labradoodle:
- Never brush your dog while its hair is wet as this will cause it to become more tangled. It’s usually best to brush your dog before giving it a bath.
- Make sure to brush your dog’s hair in the direction of hair growth and to keep your strokes short but firm
- Be careful not to pull too hard on your dog’s hair or press down too hard on its skin to avoid accidentally hurting it.
- Make sure you’re using the right grooming tools and products for your dog’s coat type, this includes shampoos, combs, brushes, clippers, and scissors.
- Make sure to clean your dog’s grooming tools and remove any dirt or stuck hair after each grooming session.
- Make sure to praise your dog and give it treats throughout the grooming session to keep it calm and encourage it to behave well.
- Try to maintain the grooming routine as much as possible. If you go too long without grooming your dog, it will get severely matted and it will take a lot more time and effort to groom later on.
Related Questions
How Long Does It Take to Groom Labrdoodles?
On average, it can take 2 to 3 hours to groom Labradoodles. However, the exact time it takes to groom a dog will depend on several factors such as the size of the dog, the kind of coat it has, its behavior during the session, the presence of severe matting or fleas in its coat.
How Often Do You Need to Trim Your Labradoodle’s Coat?
You need to trim your Labradoodle’s coat every 4 to 6 weeks. The frequency will mainly depend on the type of coat your Labradoodle has. Curlier coats are more prone to getting tangled than straighter coats, so it’s generally recommended to trim them more often.
Are Labradoodle Coats Hypoallergenic?
Some Labradoodles coats are hypoallergenic as they are low shedding, so they won’t spread any dander that would trigger an allergic reaction. However, the degree to which a Labradoodle is Hypoallergenic mainly depends on the type of coat it has. The curlier the dog’s coat is, the more hypoallergenic it will be.
If what you want is a hypoallergenic dog, you should know there are rarer than you think, but they do exist. You can start by checking out this guide to hypoallergenic dog breeds. You can also check out this guide on how to choose the best Goldendoodle for your allergies.
Helpful Resources
The Labradoodle breed standard
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- 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.
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- Find my list of recommendations here.
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