When you think of a Labradoodle, your mind automatically goes to a curly-haired adorable canine. So, you might be surprised to see a labradoodle with straight hair. They are still pretty adorable if you ask me.
Since Labradoodles inherit characteristics from Labrador Retrievers and Poodles, they can have straight hair when they get more genetic traits from the Labrador Retriever parent.
A Labradoodle can either have curly, wavy, or straight hair.
Why does my Labradoodle have straight hair? Your Labradoodle has straight hair because F1 Labradoodles are 50% Labrador Retriever and 50% Poodle. Thus, they can have stronger genetic traits from Labrador Retrievers. In other words, they are more similar to Labrador Retrievers.
If you want to know why your Labradoodle has straight hair, the types of Labradoodle coats, whether your Labradoodle’s straight coat can get curlier, how to groom a straight coat labradoodle, and what the benefits of straight hair Labradoodles are, keep reading!
Why does my labradoodle have straight hair?
It is all a genetics game. As you probably know, Labrador Retrievers and Poodles are the parents of Labradoodles. So, it is natural that they have genetic traits from both breeds.
However, just like humans, one parent’s genetics are stronger than the other. If your Labradoodle has a straight, flat, slick coat, then they have more genetic traits from the Labrador Retriever.
Straight-haired Labradoodles are mostly first-generation F1 Labradoodles with 50% Labrador Retrievers and 50% Poodles.
The 2 Types of Labradoodle coats
Curly
Curly-haired Labradoodles are the most common types of Labradoodles and they are the most loved and asked for.
Curly-haired Labradoodles are loved for their playful, fun-loving, and sweet nature. They also do not shed and, therefore, are very loved by people who have allergies to dog hair.
Curly-haired Labradoodles have more common genetic traits than Poodles and need more grooming. They are hypoallergenic.
Wavy
Wavy coats resemble fleece and are still pretty common. They are in the happy middle.
Wavy-coated Labradoodles may not shed but it differs from one Labradoodle to the other. However, wavy-coated Labradoodles may still be considered a good choice for families with allergies.
Straight
Straight-haired Labradoodles are the least common Labradoodles. They have a glossy, slick, flat, and matte coat.
Their hair is very similar to straight human hair and it can get pretty long. They shed the most and are therefore not very loved.
They require less grooming. Thus, less grooming costs, which can be a big benefit for some dog-owners.
Will my Labradoodle’s straight coat get curlier?
When your puppy stops being an adorable puppy and goes on the journey of being an adorable adult dog, they change coats. Dogs change coats starting from 6 and stop when they are approximately 12 months old. However, the coat type rarely changes.
When you choose your breeder, you will want to ask what the Labradoodle’s parents look like. Then, you can determine what type of coat your Labradoodle will have.
If your dog has a straight coat from childhood, it is unlikely that it will develop curls. However, they can develop a wave to it. In short, the coat will not change to a noticeable extent.
If it is not clear to you what type of coat your Labradoodle has, check the hair around their muzzle area. If the hair there is straight, they probably will have straight hair over their whole body too.
How to groom a Straight coat labradoodle?
Curly-haired Labradoodles are high maintenance. Due to the complexity of their coat, they require daily brushing and grooming.
In contrast, straight-haired Labradoodles are low-maintenance, as their hair is less complicated and requires less grooming. You will probably need to brush your Labradoodle’s hair twice every week.
During shedding seasons, you might need to brush their coat 3-4 times a week. If your Labradoodle is as playful as they can get, you should brush more often in order to prevent tangles and knots.
Brushing your straight-haired Labradoodle will lead to them having a glow, healthy, and beautiful coat.
Labradoodles with straight hair can have pretty long hair. So, you might need to get them a haircut more frequently than curly-haired Labradoodles. It is advisable to give your Labradoodle a haircut once every 2-3 weeks.
With floppy-eared dogs like Labradoodles, you might need to clean their ears more often. You need to be careful to check for wax buildup and dirt in their ears. As a rule of thumb, you should clean their ears 2-3 times a month. You can learn how to clean your Labradoodle ears in this guide.
Bathing is also very important with Labradoodles as they like to swim and roll in dirt a lot, so it is better to bathe them twice a month or more if they smell.
After bathing them, make sure to dry them well with towels and a hairdryer. Make sure to start bathing your puppy from a young age so that they get used to it when they are older.
When grooming a straight-haired Labradoodle, you might need to use a slick brush and a deshedding tool.
Are there benefits to straight hair in Labradoodles?
Other than being completely adorable. Labradoodles with straight hair are low-maintenance, as they require less brushing and bathing. Curly-haired Labradoodles need daily brushing, while straight-haired Labradoodles require brushing 2 or 3 times a week.
Their grooming sessions are also less complex, as you do not have to keep detangling their hair frequently. While bathing them, you also do not have to use a conditioner to care for their curls, which is less costly.
They are also less asked for which makes them ultimately cheaper if you buy them from a breeder. However, we recommend that you adopt. Labradoodles also come in smaller sizes which makes them even more adorable and fun to play with.
One more benefit of owning a straight-haired Labradoodle is that they are unique. With that being said, I feel obliged to add that all dogs are special and good in their own way, so you definitely should not pay a lot of money for any dog regardless of what the breeder or the store owner tells you.
And remember, the dogs at the nearest shelter are just as good and will love you just as much if not more, so please #adoptdontshop!
What are the drawbacks of straight hair in Labradoodles?
Although there are no relevant drawbacks to straight-haired Labradoodles, many may consider them inferior to curly-haired Labradoodles.
Due to their straight hair, they shed more. Meaning, they are not hypoallergenic, which makes them unsuitable for families with allergies.
Most people get Labradoodles because they prefer their non-shedding nature or because a member of the family has an allergy to dog hair. Unfortunately, it is not preferable to own a straight-haired Labradoodle if you or your family member have an allergy.
If your heart desires a straight-haired Labradoodle, you might have trouble finding them in the dog market, as their demand is not high.
One other thing to consider when owning an Oodle with straight hair is that you will need to buy a deshedding tool and brush their hair 2-3 times a week.
Genetic Testing for a straight coat labradoodle
If you are really curious to know, it is possible to do a genetic test to find out whether your Labradoodle’s hair is straight. These tests are typically done via a veterinarian and are highly specialized.
There are also accurate genetic tests that you can do at home. These tests can determine the percentage of dog breeds present in your Labradoodle. These tests are usually painless for your doggo and will give you quick and accurate results.
Related Questions
Are Straight hair Labradoodles hypoallergenic?
No, straight hair Labradoodles are less hypoallergenic, as they are prone to shedding. They have more genetics from a Labrador retriever and less from a poodle, which means they can shed quite often.
If you are looking for dogs that are good for your allergies, you can start by checking out these unique, hypoallergenic blue-eyed dogs.
Do Straight coat Labradoodles shed?
Yes, straight coat Labradoodles are prone to shedding, especially in the shedding seasons because they have more genetic traits from a Labrador Retriever and less from a Poodle. You need to brush your straight hair labradoodle twice or three times a week to minimize shedding.
How much do straight coat Labradoodles shed?
Straight hair Labradoodles shed more than curly-haired Labradoodles and less than Labrador Retrievers. How much exactly a straight hair Labradoodle will shed differs from one dog to the other and from the season. During shedding seasons, straight hair Labradoodles shed more.
Why do Labradoodles fade?
The Poodle genetics tend to play a role in the colors of your Labradoodle. As they grow into adult dogs, their color fades a little. This is completely normal and does not indicate that your Oodle is unhealthy in any way.
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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