brushing out puppy coat?

[Tammie Miller]

Since the goldendoodle doesnt shed or sheds little, what is brushing out the puppy hair? What does this involve? And around what age is this done?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Tammie, there is a large and very active Grooming Group here where you might get more answers to these questions about puppy coats, matting, etc.

[Bonnie and Kona]

As Karen suggested you really will be helped in the grooming group. Essentially, the dreaded coat change happens sometimes between 8 months and 14 months. At that time the puppy coat will get embedded into the adult coat that is growing in. You need to line brush you puppy to remove this old coat. Line brushing is described in detail in the grooming group but basically you brush the hair in the wrong direction, hold it up and then brush a very small section down. Once you have completed an area go back through it with a comb to be sure all the mats are out and it is completely groomed. Then start the next section. The sooner you begin brushing your puppy the more comfortable he will become with the process. Many people use treats as they acclimate their pup to brushing. Our doodles know that when they are completely brushed out they are in for a big treat. They wait for it expectantly. ;o)

There are videos on YouTube that demonstrate line brushing doodles. I found that helpful. 

[Tammie Miller]

Thank you!

 

[Ginny Nightingale]

You have started out with a statement that makes me wonder where you got it from--there is a lot of misinformation out there about doodles and some breeders are making claims that they shouldn't make--some goldendoodles don't shed at all, some shed a little, but some shed a LOT--they are a mixed breed and as many of the DK members can tell you, there are no guarantees of a non-shedding coat! Some puppies do not shed but as adults they do and vice versa! But brushing out the puppy coat should be done at least weekly and a lot more during the coat change as Bonnie mentioned. And you also need to use a steel comb to get down to the skin--that is where the mats are and sometimes the brush doesn't get there. Line brush first, then comb to see if it is mat free.  

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The combing really is key. Matts start at the skin, and all the brushing in the world won't get through the matts at the skin level. You have to keep those tangles out to prevent the matting.

Also, I'm glad you pointed out the shedding issue, Ginny. Many a goldendoodle has been rehomed because the owner bought it under the false assumption that all goldendoodles "don't shed or shed little".

 

[Evelyn Sorensen]

My Lexy is only 4 months and I try to brush her as often as I can so she will get use to it . she hates being brushed so right now I'm useing a soft brush that doesn't pull and so far she will let me do a little bit at a time . I do worry when it comes to the time when her coat changes that she won't let me do it .

 

[Tammie Miller]

I know you brush your puupy/dog often. Thats a given. I was refering to coat changing and what it means during this stage to "comb out puppy coat"? Thanks

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The coat change doesn't take usually take place until the dog is at the end of the first year. Where are you seeing these terms "comb out the puppy coat"? I'm guessing they mean to make sure you get all of the shed hair off the dog so that it doesn't lay at the skin level and form matts, but where are you hearing these terms and/or advice? If I knew the context, I might be able to explain what they mean. Is it from a website?

[Tammie Miller]

Im sorry But ive been on sooo many sites just researching different areas I have no idea where that term was mentioned now. It sounded like they were saying you had to comb out the puppy hair from the changing adult hair cause the puppy hair doesnt shed out.

[Evelyn Sorensen]

I have read that too and thought  there is no way I could take a comb to Lexy's fur . Tammie it does make more sense what you are saying . I guess it just wasn't explained right . As far a shedding goes  so far I only see  2 or 3 hairs in the brush when I'm grooming her . I now know she could shed a lot more  or stay the same as she gets older . praying  she stays the way she is now .

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

If she doesn't shed, you are going to have to "take a comb to her fur", or she's going to have to have all of it shaved off to the skin. The downside to a non-shedding dog is that you must spend a lot of time keeping the coat completely free of knots, tangles, and any loose hair. Non-shedding dogs are high-maintenance dogs. The internet hype rarely makes that clear.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I would have asked the person who was saying that what they meant by it, lol.

You really will get much info on this in the Grooming Group. It may not be something you even have to worry about, since you don't know what your pup's coat will be like at that point.

My doodle sheds, so it's not an issue for me. But my purebred poodles did not go through this supposed "coat change" either, so I have no experience with it at all.

Regardless if it's puppy hair or adult hair, you must comb out the hair all the way down to the skin To remove any dead or shed hair, or it will matt. All of the shed hair will not come off the dog by itself, it sheds down into the coat and that's where matts come from.