I am looking to buy a baby and a breeder that I have been corresponding with has a 10 week old babe I am interested in. When asked about coat type, curly vs wavy, I was told that at the moment it is wavy, but the hair will be curly if I shave the pup. I had voice a preference for curly. Is this the case in goldendoodle babies? I have no knowledge of these dogs, it will be our first doodle, and haven't found much about this in my research. Can some of you give me feedback on this question?
Thank you
Brenda, nobody can guarantee what kind of coat the puppy will have; it's a crap shoot. These doodles are all different, and evidently go through "coat changes" between puppyhood and adulthood, so these predictions are just guesses. I don't know who your breeder is, but be aware that there are some people who will tell you anything to sell a dog...especially in these troubled economic times.
Shaving the coat can't possibly change it's basic nature or follicular structure. That's impossible. It's like the old wives' tale that shaving your legs will make the hair grow back coarser or thicker. That's bull. Longer hair on anybody results in a looser wave...when people with curly hair let it grow long, the weight of the hair helps relax the curl somewhat. It's the same with dogs. A shaved coat may look curlier, but once it grows, it will straighten out more.
If a curly coat is extremely important to you, I would find a puppy that has one from the get-go. Even then, you can't be absolutely certain it won't change when the puppy reaches adulthood, but there's a better chance it won't.
Shaving shouldn't change the hair but most doodles get CURLIER than they are as young pups. So wavy may turn to curly. Are there any photos you can share? Do you also have any photos you can point to or link to of adult goldendoodles with the type of coat you want?
Please know there is NO WAY to predict doodle hair 100% because doodles are a mixed breed and there will always be variety from pup to pup.
Also remember that the curlier the doodle...THE MORE WORK it takes to keep them from getting tangles and mats---the curly doodles USUALLY have to be kept in a short hair cut.
Thank you both very much. Of course what you have taught me makes perfect sense, I just wasn't sure If I was missing something. I honestly don't mind any coat style, just thought the curly ones were so adorable. I haven't received a pic of this pup yet, am supposed to later today. His younger mates are all relatively curly at 6 wks, and he is the last of a previous litter. It is so hard deciding without being able to cuddle and play with all of them first. But, that's off topic. Are there any indications of coat type that can be somewhat reliable in a young babe?
A good breeder should have this info for you and NOT promise you anything....
But the closest indicator is that if it's already wavy, it will probably curl up more.
If it's already curly it will probably be very curly.
All I can say is go look at my pictures on my page - our Abby is 7 months right now and there are pics from the day we brought her home (at 8 weeks) to just as recent as last weekend. She was just wavy as a pup. They really don't get curls until they are a little older. Abby was wavy with curls next to the skin. Last weekend I clipped her and she looks a lot curlier now. Tho it is always hard to predict a pups coat - or color for that matter because they change so much.
Brenda, the first pic is of our doodle when he was 8 weeks-we wanted wavy/curly hair. The breeder chose this guy for us out of a litter of ten, which by the way we were there in person looking at all of these adorable puppies. (We had first choice which was very difficult) The next picture is of him at 6 months old. His hair was long then and it looks wavy. We had him cut shorter two weeks ago (can't send a picture because this dog who has never chewed anything decided he would chew the cord for my camera which downloads pictures) Anyway-his coat is so curly now because it is shorter. (sorry the pic's are reversed, second one is the 8 week old pup)
I bought a new cord today-but it is the wrong one for my camera!!! ARGHHH-back it has to go. He isn't tight curls but his head, neck, chest and even his legs are curlier than they were when his hair was long. I'll post a pic soon-I hope.