Should I really be scared of grooming my doodle?

[Jen and Paddington]

The short:

New doodle coming home in a few weeks.  First time dog owner, first time doodle owner.  Some other internet dog forums (filled with non-doodle lovers) are telling me how terribly difficult grooming and even brushing a doodle is.

The question:

What's the truth?

[Ginny Nightingale]

That just reminded me of an event I went to with my LD where a woman shouted out "I would never own a labradoodle, there coats are so hard to maintain..." WTD??? Where do people get these generalizations?? The doodle I had with me that day has the easiest coat ever--I comb it once or twice a month, it takes five minutes, she has never had a mat and it dries in a flash (she is an F1 with fine, coarse red hair). Grooming her whole body (clipping  and scissoring) takes less than an hour!! My other doodles take some work, yes, but that doesn't mean they ALL DO!!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Oh drat, my response disappeared.  I see others on here have told you not to be afraid of the coat requirements and I disagree totally.  There are people who have relinquished their doodles because they were not able or willing to care for their coats - so it can be a big deal. Some people are shocked if their doodle sheds - not all doodles are non-shedding.  Some people are shocked when their puppy begins to mat - this doesn't happen to all puppies, but it seems that the majority do go through this stage to some degree and require diligent brushing/combing during this time.  Often the adult coat is easier to maintain. However it really depends upon their coat.  You are doing your research now, so it won't be a surprise.  The doodle with the ideal coat, is non-shedding and mats very little, but will require good brushing.  Almost all doodles will require some cutting.

 Young puppies are easy but brush them often to get them used to it.

My ALD has a very high maintenance coat that I was unprepared for.  I like the doodle look so I am willing to spend the time it takes to brush him thoroughly and keep the mats out. But it still was a major shock for me and coat type will be the second most important trait when I look for my next doodle.

[Bonnie and Kona]

I was afraid to groom my doodle. He is almost 90 pounds and has a wool/fleece coat. I took him to a groomer for 3 1/2 years. He hated going, and I was never happy with how he turned out. Besides it cost $120. I have been grooming for a year and honestly people have asked where we have him groomed! It is just fine. I carefully read the grooming group information before trying. The first go was rough, but it has been fine ever since. Weekly maintenance includes brushing and line brushing (combing) is a must at least once a month for my wooly/fleece guy. My other doodle has fleece hair that sheds a bit and he doesn't really mat so his fur is easier to maintain. We had very heavy shedding Golden Retrievers before these two and I don't find that there is more maintenance with our doodles because of the constant vacuuming involved with our shedding dogs. 

[Jen and Paddington]

Thank for the help, all! 

Since I consider myself something of an expert as far as Persian cat coats go ;), it sounds like we should be able to make the transition to a doodle coat fairly easily.  We appreciate all the advice and cannot wait to share our hundreds of doodle pics with everyone.  We'll definitely be checking out the grooming group!  Thanks again for all the advice, y'all have definitely given us a good starting point!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I am so glad you can connect with the coat.  I did not want to scare you but coats and grooming and matting are a major fact of life for most doodle owners.

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

I always have done my own grooming on all my dogs, doodles and non-doodles.  When dogs get matted it is time consuming on any breed to comb out matts.  I do not find grooming any more difficult on doodles than any other breed.. well except for short hair dogs.  I have always had high maintenance dogs in the grooming department so I am use to it.  The keys to a high maintenance coat is to give a daily brush to prevent matts, plus it is good for their coat and bonding time.  I do not find it difficult at all but then again I love spending time with my doodles and enjoy the grooming process.  My Sasha's coat is a very tight curly coat (very poodley), she does take a bit longer to comb out than Ollie does.  If you have a good quality brush and comb it does make a difference. 

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

Cooper is my first dog and first doodle too. when we were waiting for her to come home I did lots of research (I did not know about this site then), and my breeder is also a groomer (she leads the grooming group here) so she gave me lots of advice. I invested in several pairs of high quality scissors, a palm held clipper for her bum and feet, detangling spray, an Oster rake and a les poochs brush. it cost a fortune, but was well worth it compared to paying for a groomer.

I do not shave Cooper - I scissor cut her. I started by doing jst a little at a time, and it took me a week to do it. now I do it pretty fast, and im not too concerned about making a mistake because doodles are supposed to be shaggy right!

Coopers coat (ALD- wool) is easy to manage, I run my fingers through every day and pull apart tangles, but dont need to brush her more than once a month unless she has been swimming alot. And her fur is 6 inches long in the winter. 3 in the summer. When she lost her puppy coat it was horrible, but short lived.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

You never know what the coat will end up being like, it may be easy...or not.

I was a little chicken at first especially since my younger one was afraid and tried to bite. We kept trying and now we do most of it at home. Just make sure you do the touching thing all the time when you get the pup home so they get used to being touched on the ears/mouth/feet etc. It's the best thing you can do for getting them used to it! Good luck!

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

nothing to be afraid of but just know that you will probably end up very frustrated from time to time :)  I groom both of mine and some days are better than others.  Like everything it takes practice but if you start when your pup is young you can both learn together.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

WTD???  Don't be afraid to groom your Doodle.  It is a wonderful bonding experience and so rewarding.  My Gracie Doodle went to the groomers for almost the first two years but I did bathe,brush, demat and comb her in between the groomings which is a daily/weekly upkeep.  After reading and reading all the comments and instructional information in the Grooming Group I decided to order my own equipment and do my own grooming.  Within three groomings you have paid for all your equipment.  In the beginning it was trial and error but with each attempt I got better and better at grooming and had wonderful compliments from total strangers when out walking.  We are always over critical of ourselves and are quick to point out each little mistake but no one really ever sees them.  Doodles are such big fluffy unmade bed looking sweethearts that it is really hard to notice a mistake in the grooming.  I have taken Gracie down to 1/4" and also let her get crazy wild and puffy.  She always looks like the sweetest Doodle ever.  Don't ever be afraid.  Just make the commitment to do it and you will end up really enjoying your personal time with your Doodle Baby!!

[Leslie J]

Cocoa is an ALD with an amazing fleece coat that is as soft as a baby bunny... but it is incredibly high maintenance!  I cannot imagine grooming her myself.  As it is I spend over an hour each week brushing/ combing her out.  She is well trained and is very cooperative when I brush her but she is also miserable, so instead of "bonding time" it is "torture time".  She usually needs a bath and cut monthly.

Based on my reading at DK, it depends  on the dog's coat (there is an incredible range) and the amount of time you can spend.  I would also need a dog bath and grooming table because my back would hurt if I groomed her on the floor for more than hour at a time.

If I had more time, though, it would certainly save money- I spend $80 a month on her groomer (sometimes I can stretch it to 5 weeks).  It's pricy here in Los Angeles!  If you have the patience and time, I'm sure that you can do it :)