What are Furnishings on a Goldendoodle? Furnishings and Improper Coats

Goldendoodles are a cross between Golden Retrievers and Poodles which is why some of them carry a gene that gives furnishings similar to poodles, while others carry the gene that gives them improper coats similar to Golden Retrievers.

So, what Are Furnishings on a Goldendoodle? Furnishings are long hairs on Goldendoodle faces such as eyebrows, mustache, and beard. They are a result of a dominant gene called RSPO2 that comes from their Poodle parent’s side and they’re considered to be breed standard as they give them their signature teddy-bear appearance.

Keep reading to learn more about the difference between furnishings and improper coats on Goldendoodles, why some Goldendoodles grow furnishings, and how to prevent improper coats in your Goldendoodle.

The Difference Between Furnishings and Improper Coats on Goldendoodles

Furnishings are basically any long hairs on the Goldendoodle’s face including their eyebrows, mustache, and beard.

They are considered to be a significant characteristic of the breed’s standard as they give Goldendoodles a signature teddy-bear appearance similar to Poodles which is desired by many pet owners.

Improper coats, on the other hand, refer to Goldendoodles with open faces and no furnishings. These dogs have flat coats that are similar in appearance to Golden Retrievers which is not as desired by some pet owners because it doesn’t fit the Goldendoodle breed’s standard.

Why Do Some Goldendoodles Grow Furnishings While Others Grow Improper Coats?

Some Goldendoodles grow furnishings while others grow improper coats due to the genes inherited from the dog’s parents.

The gene responsible for furnishings is known as RSPO2 or IC Locus. It’s a dominant gene that they get from their Poodle parent’s side. While the recessive gene responsible for improper coats comes from the Golden Retriever parent’s side.

When breeding first-generation Goldendoodles, the puppies will inherit the dominant gene from their poodle parent which means they will almost always grow furnishings.

However, when it comes to breeding second-generation or third-generation Goldendoodles, the results will be more unpredictable.

If one or both parents carry the dominant gene, then the puppies will grow furnishings. Meanwhile, if both parents carry the recessive gene, then the puppies will grow improper coats.

Why Are Furnishings More Desirable Than Improper Coats in Goldendoodles?

The main reason why furnishings are more desirable than improper coats in Goldendoodles is that they give them the signature teddy-bear appearance similar to poodles which is considered a significant characteristic of the breed’s standard.

Another reason is that they can help determine the kind of coat the Goldendoodle will grow as it gets older and sheds its puppy coat.

If the Goldendoodle grows furnishings, then it’s likely to grow a curly or wavy coat. However, if the dog doesn’t grow furnishings, then it’s likely to grow straight or flat coat which is considered to be an improper coat. You can learn how to tell if your Goldendoodle will have furnishings in here as well as how to tell what kind of coat they will have as they grow older.

Can You Prevent Goldendoodles from Growing an Improper Coat?

The only to prevent Goldendoodles from growing an improper coat is to ensure that the dog’s parent is carrying the dominant gene responsible for furnishings.

That’s why professional breeders make sure to genetically test the parent dogs in different generations before breeding any new litters. The results of the test will help determine what genes the parents are carrying and the chances of them producing a litter of puppies with furnishings.

How to Groom Your Goldendoodle’s Furnishings?

Since furnishings are a significant characteristic of the Goldendoodle’s breed standard, it’s very important to regularly groom them to keep them in good shape and prevent them from tangling or accumulating dirt.

So, here are some useful tips that will help you properly groom your Goldendoodle’s furnishings:

• Clean the dog’s face regularly using a wet cloth or some dog-friendly wet wipes to prevent any accumulation of dirt or grease. Make sure to pay attention to the areas around the eyes and mouth.
• Brush the hair on the dog’s face to remove any tangles using a fine-tooth metal comb and a slicker brush, then use a bristle brush to remove any loose hair.
• Be careful not to tug or press down too hard while brushing the dog’s face as the areas around its eyes and mouth are very sensitive and you might accidentally injure it.
• Trim the hair on the dog’s cheek using an electric clipper with a 1-inch attachment. You need to make two swipes down each cheek while making sure to go slowly to avoid scaring the dog or accidentally injuring it.
• Trim the hair above your dog’s eyes and around its mouth using blunt-end scissors instead of clippers as these areas are more sensitive.  Make sure that the hair above your dog’s eyes is no longer than 1 inch and that the hair around its mouth no longer than 1/4 of an inch.
• Avoid trimming your dog’s whiskers as many believe that trimming them will hinder the dog’s ability to navigate its surroundings.

Related Questions

Do Goldendoodle with Furnishings Shed Less?

Goldendoodles with furnishings do shed less. That is because furnishings are usually an indicator that the Goldendoodle will grow wavy or curly coats which are known to shed less compared to straight coats. However, wavy and curly coats still require some effort to groom as they’re prone to get tangled.

If shedding is a concern to you, make sure to check out our guide on how to choose the best Goldendoodle for allergies here.

When Do Goldendoodles Start Growing Their Furnishings?

Goldendoodles start growing their furnishings along with their puppy coats which is when they’re a few weeks old. As they get older, they will shed their puppy coats and the presence of furnishings will help determine the kind of adult coats they will grow after, whether they will be curly or straight.

What Tools are used to Groom Goldendoodles?

The tools that are used to groom Goldendoodles include a steel comb and a slicker brush to loosen any tangles as well as a bristle brush to remove any loose hair remaining on the dog’s coat. You might also need some dog clippers or scissors if you’re going to trim the dog’s hair.

How Often Should Goldendoodles Be Brushed?

Goldendoodles should be brushed at least once a week to keep their coats in good shape and prevent tangling. However, the frequency of the brushing depends mainly on the kind of coat the Goldendoodle has as long, curly coats should be brushed more often than short, straight coats.

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