How much can you tell from puppy coat?

[Zoe Smith]

Hi there,

I was just referred to this group from the main forum (thanks Suzann, Rosey and Bandit!)...

We're adopting a mini labradoodle at the end of the month, and I'm really curious about what his coat might look like, and really hoping he will be non-shedding (husband has a mild allergy). His mom is an F1 mini labradoodle with a wavy hair coat (sheds) and his father is a mini poodle. Our little guy was born with some waves, and now at 4 weeks old has pretty wavy/curly/fluffy fur on his head, ears, chest and legs, while his back and sides don't seem to have any waves at all. None of his fur is what I would describe as 'shiny' although all 3 of his black littermates are definitely shiny (the other 2 apricots have fur similar to our guy).

Have any of you had an F1b puppy that looked like this (see pic)? What is the adult coat like?

Thanks...

 

[Sally loves Maple & Lucky]

My guess is your puppy will grow into a fleece/hair coat like my Maple. She's an F1b and although she was shiny coated at 2 months, I think that may have something to do with coloring. In humans, brunettes are shinier than blondes. Check out Maples pics on our page. She's the BROWN dog (Lucky is a cream goldendoodle with lots of tight curl).

And Congrats!!! on your new baby :) ahhhhh, puppies.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I posted a couple of pictures on your other blog of our F1B Labradoodle, Fudge. Hope it helps.

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

I remember wondering the exact same thing when we were choosing a puppy. I made my choice based on pictures of the dam and sire's previous puppy and adult pics, and the breeder's suggestions for the coat type I preferred. Lucy ended up more wooly than expected, even with all these tips. As a general rule the puppy will grow lighter and curlier as it matures. There can be exceptions to that rule, especially when it comes to color... some actually get darker, not lighter. For reference, I've added a link to a picture of Lucy at 5 weeks old. You can see how even then she had a curly face, ears and legs, although her sides were relatively straight. You can also see the pup in the forefront of the picture had pretty much a straight/lab type coat. I'm curious if that one ended up with some wave to it's coat. http://www.doodlekisses.com/photo/lucy-5wks-old?context=album&a...

 

BTW, Lucy is an F1B labradoodle.