It’s a sad fact. Puppies won’t stay puppies forever. Goldendoodles are no different. One of the biggest changes that will occur with your Goldendoodle will be the fur that makes up their fluffy coat.
While your pup will have a coat that’s one color the day you bring them home, they very well could have a different shaded mane a few years later. Don’t be surprised by this.
Get excited because we’re going to walk through the many stages of Goldendoodle fur!
What Kind of Fur Do Goldendoodles Have?
A Goldendoodle’s coat can be considerably varied as far as its makeup is concerned. Let’s take a peek at a quick overview of what to expect with your perfect pup’s peerless pelt.
Color
Goldendoodles come in a literal rainbow of colors. They can appear, but are not limited to, the following shades:
Apricot
Tan
Black
White
Black and White
Blue
Champagne
Chocolate/Brown
Cream
Gray
Red
Silver / Silver Beige
This list, of course, excludes very specific color patterns that are also possibilities such as Parti (coats that are 50% white / 50% other), Phantom, Abstract or Merle. These hues will vary depending on their parent’s coats and general genetics.
Most will say that apricot is the most popular color, but others would argue red or cream is almost as sought after.
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Coat Texture
A Goldendoodle’s hair can be straight, wavy or curly. Again, this depends on their parents. But most commonly, they have wavy hair. Those with curly hair resemble their Poodle ancestry. It’s even possible that your puppy’s hair gets curlier as they age. Those with a straight look appear more like Golden Retrievers. The latter is far easier to groom.
Speaking of grooming…
Coat Length
After your dogs latest trip to the groomer, how long should you wait before scheduling their next visit? Mark it on your calendar, every six weeks about does the trick. Most Goldendoodles will have regrown everything in about three to four months. It’s best to stay ahead of the game to avoid matting and tangling.
Both Poodles and Golden Retrievers have longer coats. While Labradoodles could have a shorter coat, this is uncommon in Goldendoodles, if even present. This is due to the Long Hair Gene or FGF5.
All in all, a Goldendoodle is a great pet for owners with allergies. While there is no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic dog, Doodle breeds shed far less than most and are quite allergy friendly.
Goldendoodle's Fur Changes at About 6 Months Old
Yes, Goldendoodles do lose their puppy fur as they get older. Many Goldendoodle parents may note that their puppy's coat quickly fills with fluffy clumps as a result of this. This is a definite indication that the shift has begun for your dog!
Your Goldendoodle puppy's fur is thickest at three months old. It's possible that your puppy's coat has grown to its full potential and is very well-colored at this time. Any patterns your dog’s fur displays may strengthen over time.
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Your Goldendoodle could start to lose its puppy fur and develop an adult coat between the ages of 4 and 8 months. Depending on the exact kind of fur, this process may be slow and scarcely perceptible, rapid and evident, or protracted and difficult. The color and texture of their pelt can also vary.
Don't get too depressed if your puppy's fur lasts past the age of 12 months; some Doodles may continue to shed puppy fur.
We mentioned earlier about grooming. While most breeds you can take to the groomer at about 12 weeks, you probably want to wait until this six-month mark to shuffle them to the stylist. This will allow most of their puppy fur to be shed. Your groomer's work won’t be in vain.
Goldendoodle's Coat Changes Again Around 12-16 Months Old
The Goldendoodle's coat is constantly changing while in its puppy stage. When a puppy is 6 to 10 months old, the silky puppy coat often begins to shed gradually.
Your Goldendoodle will continue its gradual transformation from puppy to adult coat by the age of one. Any shedding should be minimized, and if a suitable grooming routine isn't put in place at this time, you can have issues with knots.
Goldendoodle's Fur Changes for the Final Time Around 2 Years Old
When it comes to the Goldendoodle's coat, you may notice further changes. First, the adult coat becomes stiffer and more curly. Over time, you will notice that the coat is not as soft as it used to be.
Like your parents and grandparents who aren’t as well acquainted with the hair dye aisle in their local store, your dog's hair will change as well. Most of the time, the color will usually lighten as the dog ages. They will grey just like we will.
There are a handful of reasons for changes at this age or, sometimes, younger.
If your dog is one that loves daytime romps, the sun could bleach its fur over time. This is natural.
Diet and nutrition can affect their coats as well. If they’re not getting enough of one thing or too much of another, it will affect their appearance. A lack of vitamins could cause them to shed and matt.
You might be allergic to dogs, but your dog could also be allergic to you. Or other things too. If they do have allergies this can affect the color, texture and volume of your puppy's coat. You don’t want them biting or gnawing their fur. See your vet for best practices about how to assist your dog in these instances.
Allergies aren’t the only health issues you might face. Inherited or communicated diseases can also affect your dog's coat. Again, your trusted vet is best suited to formulate a plan of action for managing the situation.
The same goes for grooming your senior pup. Older dogs need to be treated with a bit of finesse. You wouldn’t manhandle grandpa, would you? Have that same respect for your dog. Especially those over the age of about ten years or so. If they have arthritis, for example, be aware of those areas on their body.
How To Manage Your Goldendoodle’s Coat
We’ve discussed grooming. But what happens during the time in between hair care visits?
For your actual puppies, show them that this time can be fun - a complete spa day, paw massages & nail trims. You can even take things step by step and demonstrate how easy it can be. Keep things light. Keep things fun.
Shampoo and conditioner of high quality are viable options for special treatment. A designer wash for a designer dog wouldn’t hurt. There are other, less expensive options as well. When they are true puppies, you want to only wash them when they start to smell.
After they’ve started to grow into their adult coat, washing about once a week will do the trick. This preserves many of the natural oils that fight illness and other fur / skin problems.
What will really help is brushing your puppy on a regular basis. Popping out the brush once a day or every other day is recommended. Brushing their hair less than once a week will almost definitely spell disaster.
You can trim things up here and there as well. Where are some trouble spots that will need to be considered when grooming your pup? These might be found at the base of their tail, beneath their ears, and in the area just above their armpits. Don't forget about the back of their haunches and elbows.
The best way to learn is with hands-on experience. Ready to get your Goldendoodle today? Have more questions about anything and everything Goldendoodle related? We have the answers, and for all things Doodles, stay tuned to our exciting and educational blog.
Jenna and the JLDD Team