Grooming and Matting in the Original Australian doodle compared to Labra and Golden doodles

[Lorraine Bromley]

I am wondering as well what type of grooming is necessary with the Australian labradoodles in comparison to our non shedding doodles. Is the fur thicker in most cases making them harder to groom?

How would any Original Australian doodles comment on their grooming?

This could be a factor in what type of doodle are looking for.

[Lynda Kamrath]

I don't know if I recommend this or not.  It has been a long process for me and Harpo is still in the "looking terrible" stage.  I pull down his mats, but he is not yet ready to cord.  You can go down the discussions in this group to "Cording Your Doodle" and I have some photos there (and there are some other photos too).  Here is a recent one of Harpo.

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

I have two Australian Labradoodles from the Rutland Manor/Tegan farms lines.  There are no other infusions besides the poodle in the ten or so generations I have on them.  I groom both of them and they both have curly fleece/soft wool coats.  There is very little matting...inside of the legs on occasion.  But, I keep their coats at 3/4 to 2 inches on the body and longer on the legs and tail.  I use the scissors on the face and legs and a clipper with a guard on the body.  I think I groom them about every six weeks; sometimes I touch them up with the scissors in between.  They go months without a bath unless they roll in deer poop or get into the mud.  I suspect grooming would be a full time job if Iet their coats get longer than they are.  It actually doesn't take very long; about 40 minutes per dog.

[Lynda Kamrath]

Harpo is from the same lines.  I don't know if I will be able to hold out for the cords.  We do our own grooming and he likes to be brushed and groomed, so if I can't get the cords started, it will be no problem to cut him down and go back to our regular grooming.  He would probably prefer that, and I know my husband would.