Non-shed but non-matting?

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Can you have a non-shedder that doesn't matt? Peri does not shed and has not started matting yet (at almost 8 months old). She is a mini. I comb her at least every other day. I hear all about non-shedders matting and the need for rigorous grooming, but was wondering if that just applies to later generations and not f1s? Any ideas? I also know that their coat can start to change around this time....does the matting occur over night. I know there are a lot of questions in here.... Thanks in advance :)

Update at almost 9 months: Okay - she is starting to shed like a maniac!!!! Is this normal? Clumps everywhere. I am brushing her at least every other day, but am finding balls of it in corners in my house. She has never shed before!

 

Update at 1 year:  shedding MUCH less and matting only slightly - in the normal places, such as behind the ears, under the arms, etc...I can control it if I comb her 1x/week.  A few months ago it was every other day.  I think I am lucky with her coat.  Barely sheds (I mean, she is almost non-shedding) and barely matts.  I better knock on wood.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Tori would be an F1. An F1 is a poodle bred to a retriever (in your case australian shepherd). F1B would be a F1 doodle bred to a poodle. Then it gets into the multigenerations and that gets more complicated.
The Les Poochs brush is hard to find - I actually purchased mine on ebay for about $50. It is the purple one with the double head. So far, I brush Peri daily and the brush is working wonders. She is still blowing out some puppy hair, but the matting is still under control at this point. Here is a link to the Les Poochs website:
http://www.lespoochs.com/BRUSHES.asp

[Julie B.]

I am thinking that since Peri is still young her coat is still developing... If she has started shedding then you have a dog that sheds. My son's Goldendoodle didn't shed until he was around 7 months old. We were shocked that he didn't shed earlier because he had such a golden retriever looking coat. He proved us right and started shedding like a golden retriever! Unfortunately with our F1's you can't be sure about the shedding vs. non shedding variety. I was lucky with my first doodle and now that I have my second F1 pup I am waiting to see what happens with her coat.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I have always heard their coats shed and they blow them out from 9-12 months. I assume this is what is happening. Of course she might end up always shedding but I don't think it will remain this heavy. Her coat is not flat or retrieverish...it is quite curly when not groomed appropriately. Feels fleecy.
But of course I knew F1s have a good chance of shedding, so I can live with whatever is thrown our way!

[Bev]

My Rags F1 matts especially if she wears her hunting vest and she does shed. My Gracie F6 doesn't shed but goodness she can collect matts in the wooly fur overnight. My Holly F1B has the best coat of all as it only slightly sheds but hardly matts. Just the downside of being a doodle Mom. Happy Holidays!

[Tante & Jordan & now Annie!]

Jordan is 4yo she does not shed or mat. She and Samantha (some others as well) have a soft curl coat. I can go a whole month and not brush Jordan out, give her a bath she will be soft as can be. I am very lucky. Jordan is an F1 LD

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I just gave another update up top - at 1 year, things are pretty good grooming wise.

[Camilla and Darwin]

I thought this discussion was very interesting because I have the same type of situation. Darwin got a few matts on his chest, and I shaved him down worried that he was starting "the phase". But since then, he hasn't matted hardly at all, and he still doesn't shed. I have been noticing that when I brush and comb him more hair is coming out... but still, nothing on my floor. He's almost 11 months old now... I am wondering if he will either start shedding, or start matting. Who knows? hopefully he will turn out more like Peri.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

So far, she has a pretty low maintenance coat - I do brush her, but it isn't so bad. I really hope it continues, but really think it is too darn good to be true!!!!

[Camilla and Darwin]

I agree. Too good to be true. I'm steeling myself for the worst.

[ej]

Koda, F1 Goldendoodle used to have soft and easy to manage non-shaedding coat until he turned 11 months old. The matts almost apppeared overnight. Every night I spent a good 30-45 mins combing out the matts, only to see new ones appeared the next day. We told the groomer to shave him down to 1/2-inch length, and that was back in Nov 09. Now his coat is around 2 to 2.5 inches in length, still no matts (just small tangles here and there) and he still remains a non-shedding dog. His coat texture seems to have changed a little, softer and it takes a long time to dry compared to my GR.

[Sandy]

Laika (6 months) just started shedding these little tufted bundles of hair last week. They're like little "hair bouquets". (LOL) They appear more in her joint areas, and they brush right out with the paddle brush we have. I'm so lost when it comes to brushing her. A. She HATES it. B. I got a paddle brush because that's what I used on my pure bread poodle years ago but Laika has a wavy coat, not a curly coat so it may be the wrong tool. C. She hates it. yeah. I know I just said that, but it really makes it NO FUN! Well... i think that's another post. :)

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Try a steel comb. We have found this used in conjunction with the Les Poochs brush really works. Peri is wavy also...