Grooming & Coat Care
Your Complete Guide to Goldendoodle and Bernedoodle Grooming
As proud parents of Goldendoodles or Bernedoodles, you understand the importance of grooming in maintaining your pet's health and well-being. Despite their striking appearances, their coat types can vary significantly, necessitating specific care routines. This article outlines the best practices for grooming your Doodle, from brushing and coat care to bathing and nail trimming.
Coat Care: Know Your Doodle's Coat Type
Goldendoodles and Bernedoodles boast a wide variety of coat types. Some may possess wiry coats necessitating frequent brushing, while others might have softer, curly coats that require brushing just a few times per week. Regular brushing prevents mats and tangles, making their coat healthier and more manageable.
Do's:
Regularly brush your Doodle's coat, regardless of its type.
Use a detangling spray or leave-in conditioner to prevent matting.
Don'ts:
Don't use overly harsh brushes as they may damage your Doodle's coat.
Avoid bathing your Doodle excessively, as it can lead to skin dryness.
Bathing: Finding the Right Balance
Your Doodle should be bathed every 2-4 weeks, depending on their activity level and how dirty they get. Utilize mild, dog-friendly shampoos and conditioners, ensuring you avoid their eyes.
Nail Care: Ensuring Comfort and Health
Keeping your Doodle's nails trimmed prevents discomfort, pain, and possible infection. You can do this yourself or trust a professional groomer to get the job done.
Brushing: Keeping the Coat at Its Best
Brushing frequency varies with age. Puppies should be brushed daily, while adult Doodles need brushing several times a week. The choice of brush depends on your Doodle's coat type. Wiry coats benefit from a slicker brush, while softer, curly coats may require a pin brush or comb.
Additional Grooming Tips
As a Doodle owner, understanding your pet's unique grooming requirements enhances their health and happiness. Invest in the right grooming tools tailored to your Doodle's specific coat type and practice regularly to perfect your grooming skills. Always remember to make grooming a fun, enjoyable experience for both you and your Doodle.
Taking care of your Goldendoodle or Bernedoodle's grooming needs not only keeps them looking their best but also contributes to their overall health and well-being. Happy grooming!
Do's:
Thoroughly rinse your Doodle post-bath to prevent any product build-up.
Dry your Doodle naturally or with a low-heat setting on a blow dryer.
Don'ts:
Avoid using high heat when blow-drying their coat, which may cause damage.
Do not give puppies too many baths. Puppies shouldn't be bathed more than once per month to keep from stripping too much oil off of the skin/fur.
Do's:
Regularly trim your Doodle's nails.
Smooth out sharp edges using a file post-trimming.
Don'ts:
Avoid cutting nails too short to prevent pain and bleeding.
Do's:
Brush from the head down to the body, reaching down to the skin.
Use a detangling spray or leave-in conditioner for easier brushing.
Be patient and consistent with your brushing routine.
Don'ts:
Avoid aggressive brushing, especially if your Doodle has sensitive skin.
For more in-depth information on grooming, consider these resources:
The Doodle Grooming Academy: An online course offering comprehensive grooming training for Doodles.
The Doodle Grooming Handbook: A guidebook packed with useful grooming information, from coat care to nail trimming.
The Doodle Grooming Blog: A blog featuring regular updates on grooming tips and advice.
Local Grooming Services
One of the things that makes doodles popular is the fact that they are low-shedding. However, their hair still grows like human hair. This means that they need haircuts in order to maintain their good looks and to keep clean. We encourage people to find a local groomer business near you to help keep your dog looking crisp and clean.
DIY / At-Home Grooming
We encourage everyone to consider professional grooming services, but sometimes that just isn't a practical option. At home grooming can be more affordable, but there are some tricks to the trade. If you decide to go this route to keep your pup clean, we put together a YouTube Playlist for Doodle Grooming Tips to help you get started.
Also, you can find some of our recommended Advanced Grooming supplies on the puppy essentials page.