Guide: Goldendoodle coat types
Goldendoodle Coat Types: Curly, Wavy and Straight Explained
Goldendoodle coat types come in three kinds: curly, wavy and straight. The Goldendoodle Association of North America ties curl to one gene and shedding to another, called furnishings. That is why two Goldendoodles of the same generation can look and shed quite differently.
The three Goldendoodle coat types
The Goldendoodle Association of North America (GANA) describes the coats this way (GANA).
| Coat | Curl genes | What you see |
|---|---|---|
| Curly | Two copies | Tight curls all over, like a Poodle |
| Wavy | One copy | Looser waves. Texture varies from dog to dog. |
| Straight | None | Flat hair, like a Golden Retriever |
Because a wavy dog carries one hidden copy, two wavy parents can produce all three coats in a single litter. So the parents’ looks alone do not tell the whole story.
Furnishings: the gene behind shedding
Furnishings are the longer eyebrows, mustache and beard that give a Goldendoodle its teddy bear face. According to GANA, this gene, and not curl or coat length, is the main factor in how much a dog sheds.
- Two copies: typically very little shedding
- One copy: furnished face, but somewhat more shedding
- No copies: a smooth “open” face like a Golden Retriever, and noticeably more shedding
A coat without furnishings is sometimes called an improper coat. It is not a health problem. However, it matters a great deal if you chose a doodle to avoid hair on the sofa.
How Goldendoodle coat types relate to generation
Generation labels describe how a puppy was bred. GANA defines an F1 as a Poodle crossed with a Golden Retriever, an F1B as a Goldendoodle bred back to either parent breed, and an F2 as two Goldendoodles. Anything later is a multigen.
GANA notes that the early generations say something about coat, while later ones say very little. Therefore, it recommends asking a breeder about the specific traits a litter will have, not only its generation. Our guide to Goldendoodle sizes and generations explains the labels.
Colors and patterns
GANA recognizes these solid colors: red, golden or apricot, blonde or cream, chocolate and black. It also recognizes several patterns.
- Abstract: a solid coat with less than half white
- Parti: at least half white, with patches of color
- Phantom: lighter markings on a dark coat
- Merle: a mottled pattern on a dark coat
Color is a matter of taste. It should never come before health testing or temperament.
Which coat is easiest to live with?
- Curly and furnished. The least hair around the house, but the most brushing, because curls mat quickly.
- Wavy and furnished. A common middle ground: low shedding with a little less brushing.
- Straight or unfurnished. The easiest to brush, but the most shedding.
No coat is allergen-free. See Are Goldendoodles hypoallergenic? For brushing and groomer schedules, see our Goldendoodle grooming guide.
Questions to ask a breeder about Goldendoodle coat types
- Have the parents been DNA tested for curl and furnishings, and what were the results?
- What coats did earlier litters from these parents have as adults?
- Can I see both parents, in person or on video?
- Which coat do you expect for this puppy, and how sure are you?
A puppy coat also changes as it grows, so adult photos of older siblings are the best preview. See our Goldendoodle puppies.
Sources
- Goldendoodle Association of North America. Goldendoodle Appearance: coat types and colors. goldendoodleassociation.com
- Goldendoodle Association of North America. Goldendoodle Generations. goldendoodleassociation.com
Sources were checked on October 7, 2026.
Looking for a Goldendoodle puppy?
Our Goldendoodles are born and raised inside our family home in Eagle Mountain, Utah, from health-tested parents. See who is available now.