Single Coat, Undercoat, Both?

[Emery & Watson]

I have a shedding doodle and I want to find the best way to manage the fur.  He doesn't shed as much as some dogs I have seen but I honestly don't have much comparison since he is my first dog.  

I've read that the Furminator is great for dogs with undercoats, but how do I tell if he has one?  

In some spots, I feel like maybe there is a more downy undercoat and other areas it looks like i'm going straight to skin.  His texture on his back is a bit thicker or coarser (but I wouldn't call it wirey), and this fur doesn't look like it has an undercoat, but on the sides, he is a bit more silky and fluffy with what looks like more fluff under the longer hairs on top. 

This may be a dumb question, but is it possible to have a single coat or double coat depending on the area of the dog?

HELP!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I would take him to a groomer and let them tell you about his coat and what he might need.  If you use a Furminator and it isn't needed, you will be pulling out the wrong fur - not good.  One of my doodles is a shedder but his coat grows quickly and I have him groomed along with my non-shedding doodle.  I don't use an undercoat rake or Furminator product on him, but I brush and comb him between groomings.

[Emery & Watson]

thanks!  Everything I had been reading made it sound easy to tell the difference (single coat or double coat / under coat), and I just couldn't tell!!  I'll ask the groomer or vet next time I stop by

He has been shedding alot more lately, but part of me is just hoping that he is having a coat change (he is almost 8 months old)