Looking for advice regarding puppy coat/grooming/shedding

[candt]

Marley is 3.5 months old, f1b. His hair is starting to get matted in some areas but overall he's pretty fluffy. I am new to doodles and I can't really decide what kind of coat he has (wool/fleece.) He does shed which does surprise me but I know thats a chance you take! It doesn't matter - we still love him! 

Is there any specific brush/comb that lessens the shedding? How often should I brush him? 

Does shedding typically get worse as they get older? He doesn't shed a ton but if I am wearing a black shirt, it will definitely be covered after carrying him. 

How often do you get your doodle puppy professionally groomed? When was their 1st grooming?

Here are some pictures of Marley-

8 weeks - 

 10 weeks - 

12 weeks

14 weeks 

[Malenie Piscetelli]

He is adorable. Grooming is every 6 to 8 weeks. Mine first grooming was at 6 mos old. Every doodle is different. Some do shed and some don't shed. I brush her every single day. Lucy never shed. Good luck!!!! :)

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Your baby's a doll! It looks like Marley has a fleece coat. As far as a brush to lessen shedding, I think it's more a matter of frequency of brushing rather than the type of brush. Many people start with a pin brush as they are more gentle for puppies, and then move later to a slicker brush of some kind. A steel comb is an essential because it will show you where the mats are. Learn to line brush, this will help you find the mats as they can be hard to spot when they form close to the skin. Some people miss them and just brush over the surface. Sometimes a dog that sheds has less of a mat problem but it can vary.

Frequency of brushing can vary depending on his activities and his coat type and length. He will probably lose his puppy coat around 1 year and at that time daily brushing may be essential to eliminate mats. Some people just get their pup's coat cut short as it can become pretty labor intensive trying to stay ahead of them.

As for grooming, it is good to start early but not with a full groom. Take him to meet the groomer and for a baths and santi-trims to help him become accustomed to the groomer and the shop sounds and smells before he needs a full groom.

Video on line brushing:

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

You will eventually figure out what works best for your dog's coat, but in the mean time, just do the best you can.  We get our doodles groomed every 4 - 6 weeks and brush in between grooms.  One of my doodles sheds into the brush only and one sheds like a retriever.   The non-shedding doodle mats easily and needs brushing and combing much more frequently than the shedding one (who doesn't mat much).  I have always used a slicker brush (Activet) on the doodles as well as a comb (either traditional steel or one with rotating tines - the Untangler).  We began getting Ned professionally groomed at 14 weeks - more to trim the face and get him used to being groomed.  Here is Ned before and after the first grooming - obviously not much done (which is what I wanted).

[Sue Ryzdynski]

He looks slot like our Tess.  We've been told to groom as soon as possible and to do that monthly(?) Also, to brush daily, to get matts out!