If you’re interested in owning one of these adorable pooches, then you’re probably wondering, do Goldendoodles shed? We wanted to give you the definitive answer here.
Yes, Goldendoodles shed. They are a mix between a Poodle and a Golden Retriever, and they get their shedding genes from the Retriever side. That being said, Goldendoodles usually don’t shed much. Exactly how much hair they lose will often depend on the dominance of the genes they inherit from their low-shedding Poodle parent.
Read on as we take a deeper give into the shedding habits of the Goldendoodle. This includes working out exactly how much your Goldendoodle will shed and some crucial grooming tips to keep their coat looking its best.
How Much Do Golden Doodles Shed?
The amount of hair Goldendoodles lose depends on what type of coat they have. Ones with the double coats tend to lose a lot more.
Some Doodles will barely shed, or they won’t shed at all during the winter. Others will lose bits of their hair during the whole year, and this fur loss becomes really intense during the spring and summer.
Why Does My Goldendoodle Shed So Much?
If your Doodle has a double coat, losing half of it through the warmer months will be an entirely natural process. However, your dog may shed due to some outside triggers as well.
Stress, allergies, and other health issues often lead to some unexplained hair loss. Improper nutrition or even the wrong type of shampoo you use when bathing them can also affect how much they will shed.
Do Goldendoodle Puppies Shed More Than Adults?
A few months after their birth, Goldendoodle puppies will have a specific type of hair that doesn’t shed at all. They will only begin to lose hair after this fur is replaced with the adult coating.
At this point, they develop their distinctive layering and other hair characteristics like curliness and coarseness, which they will have for the rest of their life.
Coat With Hypoallergenic Nature
Goldendoodles with one layer and curly hair barely shed, so these dogs can be the perfect option for dog lovers with allergies.
And because they don’t have an undercoat, Doodles will be less prone to itching and scratching. They will let loose less dander from their skin, which makes them hypoallergenic.
Goldendoodles that shed, however, aren’t hypoallergenic, so they are only recommended to people without allergies.
How Can You Tell If A Goldendoodle Will Shed?
There is a distinctive feature that divides Goldendoodles into two groups – and that is the number of coats they have. This feature also determines how much hair they will shed.
One group has only one layer of guard coat which protects their skin from water and dirt. The other group has an additional layer of thick ground coat under the guard layer that also protects them. However, during warmer months, this layer becomes unnecessary, and your Goldendoodle will lose it.
How Do You Know When A Goldendoodle Will Shed?
Goldendoodles with an undercoat have more hair to lose. So, if your dog grows a thick undercoat under its upper layer, then you can expect them to leave a lot of hair around.
In addition, Goldendoodles with straight hair tend to shed more than the ones with curly strands, regardless of the number of their coats. If your dog still has puppy fur, it’s probably hard to distinguish any of the typical coat characteristics on their body.
However, you will be able to predict what their adult fur will look like by looking at the curliness of their facial hair.
What Goldendoodles Don’t Shed?
Poodle is a breed that rarely sheds, which means that Goldendoodles that inherit their coat type won’t shed. If your Goldendoodle has only one coat of guard hair (without a thick undercoat), they will have less hair to lose.
Of course, this doesn’t mean they don’t shed at all. It just means that you won’t experience as much fur loss with them as you with another breed.
How To Take Care Of Your Goldendoodle?
Goldendoodles are fairly easy to take care of, as they are generally healthy and happy dogs. They rarely carry genetic predispositions to serious health issues, and they only require a few regular checkups at the vet.
They have average levels of energy and will need daily exercise. If they do have an opportunity to run and play, they will appreciate it, but they do just as well with only a couple of short walks.
With proper socialization, they will be happy to be around children and love playing with other dogs and pets.
Diet
It’s recommended to keep your Doodle on a structured feeding schedule as this will help you keep track of how much they’re eating and whether they are at a healthy weight at all times.
Although they rarely have digestive issues, feeding them with processed food isn’t good for their health.
Meals made from natural origins and full of vitamins and minerals, like Pet Plate, will ensure that your Goldendoodle stays fit. You can also supplement their diet with some essential multivitamins after consulting with your vet.
Coat Health
To keep their coat looking shiny and healthy, you will need to maintain it with a regular grooming schedule. This mainly consists of regular brushing, an occasional bath and a haircut.
Other than that, you can help them grow a luxurious coat by keeping up their overall health and making sure they have everything they need to be happy. If they develop a skin condition that affects their hair, it’s most likely caused by their diet, and you should consult your vet on how to remedy the issue.
How Often Should You Groom A Goldendoodle?
The grooming requirements of Goldendoodles are usually pretty straightforward, but the frequency of each step depends on the individual. Some require less frequent baths and haircuts, while others need more attention with their grooming.
Try observing your pooch’s hair type, growth pattern, shine, and overall behavior. This can help you determine if any grooming is required. Pay particular attention to brushing, as this will make it easier to perform other tasks as well.
How Often Should You Brush A Goldendoodle?
Depending on their coat type, you will need to brush your Goldendoodle around 2 to 4 times a week. Doodles with one coat layer will be fine with less frequent brushing, while those with two thick layers of hair will require a good brush out every second day.
Removing their ground layer with the Furminator Undercoat Tool can reduce the amount of hair they shed, which will mean less frequent brushing for these dogs.
Do Goldendoodles Need Haircuts?
If left unclipped, your Goldendoodle’s fur can grow too long and become easily matted, so they definitely need regular haircuts.
Long hair is difficult to brush and wash, and it also collects dirt and debris, which can cause itching. To avoid this and make maintaining their hair easier, you should schedule for them every six to eight weeks, depending on how fast their hair grows.
Are Goldendoodles High Maintenance?
Generally, the Goldendoodle is not a high maintenance breed, especially if they have only one layer of curly hair. However, depending on some other features they may inherit, some Doodles will require more attention.
An added layer of hair, a genetic disposition for sensitivity, or harmful environmental factors may contribute to this breed becoming more high maintenance.
How Often Should You Give A Goldendoodle A Bath?
Goldendoodles who inherited only a layer of guard hair from their Poodle parents will only require a bath once a month or even less frequently.
Doodles with both the guard and the ground layers may need to be bathed more often to reduce the amount they shed. Along with regular brushing, this will also prevent hair matting and lower the intensity of their odor.
Can I Wash My Goldendoodle Weekly?
Unless it’s otherwise indicated by your vet, there is no reason to wash them this often. In fact, bathing them too frequently may be counterproductive, as this can dry out your Doodles skin, which may cause itching.
This will prompt them to scratch themselves and in the worst case, cause infections. In the best case, there will be a lot more shedding than usual.
How Do You Bathe A Goldendoodle?
Brush them before their bath to remove all the knots from their hair before getting them wet with lukewarm water.
When shampooing, it’s recommended to use products that help prevent skin irritations, like Pro Pet Works All Natural 5 In 1 Oatmeal Shampoo, which also has a built-in conditioner. This will mean one less rinsing and a more stress-free time for your pet. Apply the shampoo from neck to tail, avoiding their eyes and ears, rinse thoroughly, then dry your dog.
Do Goldendoodles Stink?
Fortunately, Goldendoodles are a low odor breed due to their specific coat type. However, as with any other dogs, if their hygiene is neglected, they will begin to smell bad. Most odor causes are easy to address at home, although some may require medical attention.
If you are bathing your Doodle regularly and they still stink, you may want to consult a vet to help you find the source of the smell.
Related Questions
How Do I Know If My Goldendoodle Is Curly Or Wavy? Adult wavy or straight coat Goldendoodles are more likely to shed than the ones with the curly coat. If you have a Goldendoodle puppy, you can determine its future coat texture by looking at the hair around its muzzle. Curly Goldendoodles tend to have a lot of curls on their mustache and beard from an early age.
Do Goldendoodles Have Hair Or Fur? The coat of non-shedding Goldendoodles is often referred to as hair instead of fur, as it consists of one single layer inherited from their Poodle parent. However, if they inherit a layer from each parent, they will have shedding ground hair which is much more fur-like.
Do Goldendoodles’ Hair Change Color? Yes, some Goldendoodles will change their hair color. You will find that as they age, their light and medium-colored coats get slightly paler. Doodles with black hair will not lighten up until they begin to have grays at an advanced age.
