Guide: Goldendoodle grooming
Goldendoodle Grooming: Brushing, Baths and Haircuts by Coat Type
Goldendoodle grooming depends on the coat your dog inherited. A curly or wavy coat needs brushing to the skin several times a week and a professional groom every four to six weeks. A straight coat is easier to brush, but it usually sheds more. In every case, ears and nails need regular attention.
Goldendoodle grooming by coat type
The Goldendoodle Association of North America (GANA) recognizes three coat types (GANA).
| Coat | What it looks like | Grooming effort |
|---|---|---|
| Curly | Tight curls, like a Poodle | Highest. It mats fastest, so brush most often. |
| Wavy | Loose waves | Moderate to high |
| Straight | Flatter hair, like a Golden Retriever | Easier to brush, but often sheds more |
GANA also explains that shedding depends mainly on a gene for “furnishings”, the longer eyebrows, mustache and beard. Dogs with furnishings shed less. Because of that, the hair stays in the coat and needs brushing out.
A Goldendoodle grooming schedule
| Task | How often |
|---|---|
| Brush and comb to the skin | Several times a week. Daily for a long, curly coat. |
| Check the ears | Weekly |
| Bath | As needed. Dry the coat fully before brushing. |
| Professional groom with nail trim | Every four to six weeks |
| Brush the teeth | Often |
The brushing and groomer intervals follow American Kennel Club advice for Poodles. The ear, bath and tooth advice follows its notes for Golden Retrievers.
How to brush a doodle coat properly
- Lift and part the coat. Brush a small layer at a time, starting at the skin.
- Test with a metal comb. If the comb reaches the skin and slides out, that area is finished.
- Hunt for hidden mats. Look behind the ears, under the collar and harness, in the armpits and between the back legs.
- Never bathe a matted coat. Water tightens mats, so brush first and wash second.
The AKC warns that when a full coat is not brushed to the skin, the hair mats near the roots and has to be shaved. That is why groomers sometimes return a fluffy dog very short.
Ears need extra care
Floppy, hairy ears hold moisture, and many Goldendoodles love water. Therefore, check ears every week and dry them after swimming or baths. Redness, a strong smell, dark discharge or head shaking are signs of infection, so call your vet if you see them.
Getting a puppy ready for the groomer
Start at home, long before the first appointment. Handle paws, ears and tail daily. Run a brush over the coat for a few seconds, then reward. In addition, let your puppy hear a hair dryer from across the room.
Ask your groomer and vet when to book the first visit, because many groomers want vaccines finished first. See our puppy vaccine schedule.
What Goldendoodle grooming really costs in time
A Goldendoodle has more coat than most small doodles, so every step takes longer. Plan on regular brushing sessions each week plus a groomer visit every month or so, for life.
A short clip reduces the work, and most pet owners choose one. If low maintenance matters most, a straight coat or a short trim is the honest answer. Read Goldendoodle temperament for what else to expect.
Sources
- Goldendoodle Association of North America. Goldendoodle Appearance: coat types and colors. goldendoodleassociation.com
- American Kennel Club. Poodle (Miniature) breed information (grooming). akc.org
- American Kennel Club. Golden Retriever breed information (grooming). akc.org
Sources were checked on October 7, 2026.
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