Do Goldendoodles Have Hair or Fur? (Solved!)

Goldendoodles make great pets because of their playfulness and affection. Their coats however are notoriously high maintenance. Knowing exactly what kind of coat your Goldendoodle has will help you care for your four-legged friend much better.

Goldendoodle coats are considered to be hair, just like their poodle cousins. However, Goldendoodle hair can come in three different types. A wavy or curly coat behaves as most dog hair does, but the less common flat coat holds many characteristics of fur since it takes after the golden retriever.

Each coat type has specific care instructions that when followed, will help you achieve the look you want and give your pet the attention it deserves.

The Difference Between Hair and Fur

Technically speaking, hair and fur are the same things since they are both made of keratin and make up your pet’s coat. Even so, there are differences between the coat types in terms of texture, grooming, and even growth cycle.

Hair is typically going to be a finer texture, making the coats feel smooth and soft. Your super-soft curly or wavy pets are going to have hair. Hair is often longer than fur, and also has a longer growth cycle. Having a longer growth cycle means that your hairy pets will shed much less frequently because they are not growing a new coat all the time.

Although there isn’t any perfectly hypoallergenic dog, since they all produce dander, hair coats are going to be much more allergy-friendly. The long curly hair will help trap dander close to the dog, rather than letting it get out into the environment. Additionally, low shedding means fewer allergens will have the opportunity to escape.

Because hair tends to be long and textured, hair coats do require more grooming and brushing than fur coats. You will need to brush your hairy dog on a schedule, and they will have more frequent grooming appointments.

Fur is shorter, coarser, and sheds much more often. Fur grows a new coat with each season, meaning your furry dog will be almost constantly shedding. This is bad news for those with allergies, the dander will get on everything the dog touches. On the other hand, fur is much easier to maintain and groom.

You still want to brush your dog, but you don’t need to groom as frequently since fur is not prone to tangles or knots.

Grooming Wavy Coats

Also sometimes called a shaggy coat, a wavy fur coat is the most common type of coat for a Goldendoodle to have. The coat is made up of wavy loose curls and has the stereotypical fluffy look that you think of when you think about Goldendoodles. When well cared for, wavy coats are super soft and cuddly.

To care for a wavy coat, you should be brushing your Goldendoodle about twice a week. If you are noticing a lot of tangles, brush more often. Typical problem spots like where the collar rubs, may need daily attention.

If you have a particularly adventurous Goldendoodle that likes to get into trouble, they will need more frequent brushing as well. Make a habit of brushing your dog as soon as you get home from any activity where they got any dirt, leaves, or debris in their coat.

When you’re brushing the coat, you will mostly be using a slicker brush. Use the brush to comb out all of your dog’s hair starting from the bottom and working your way up in sections. If you run into a knot or tangle, a grooming rake will work best for wavy textures. If the knot is stubborn, don’t be afraid to clip it out with a good pair of blunt-tip grooming scissors.

You should use these same shears to regularly snip off any particles that collect in the fur under the tail. To keep up in between professional grooming appointments, you can also use a pair of thinning shears to keep hair from getting in the way of your dog’s eyes.

Wavy and curly-coated Goldendoodles should be bathed roughly once a month, so depending on your grooming appointment schedule you may not have to bathe your pet very often at all. The only time you would want to bathe your dog between monthly appointments would be if they got muddy. Be careful not to bathe too often, as you don’t want to dry out their skin.

Grooming Curly Coats

Curly hair coats with tight kinks take after their poodle parent. This type of Goldendoodle coat is going to be the most high maintenance. A thorough brushing should take place every day, using the same slicker brush you would use for a wavy coat. However, when you are detangling knots, a metal comb will work much better on a curly coat as compared to a grooming rake.

You should brush a curly coat with the same sectioning method as described for a wavy coat, and you can also use shears in the same way.

If all this maintenance is too much for your lifestyle, you have a few options. You can either take your Goldendoodle to weekly grooming maintenance appointments, or you can get the hair clipped. Getting the hair clipped will shorten the hair all over, and will have to be repeated about every other month to keep it short. Short hair will still need to be brushed, but not quite as often.

Flat Coats

Flat or straight coats are the least common type of Goldendoodle coat, and they bear a lot of resemblance to a golden retriever’s coat. A flat coat with straight hair will behave more like a fur coat does, and lacks some of the fluffy appearance typically associated with Goldendoodles.

With a straight coat, you may notice more shedding than with the other types, but flat Goldendoodles are still considered to have minimal shedding compared to other breeds.

To care for a straight coat you don’t need to brush nearly as often. Once a week will be plenty to upkeep a shiny and healthy coat. A slicker brush will still work great, and you really shouldn’t have issues with any tangles bigger than the slicker would be able to handle.

Flat coat Goldendoodles can be bathed more frequently than their wavy brothers and sisters, but check with your groomer to make sure you are on a good washing schedule for your dog’s unique coat.