How Often Should I Comb My Goldendoodle? (Explained!)
One of the sweetest traits about the Goldendoodle breed is their fluffy fur, whether they have thick tight curls or lustrous straight locks. Keeping their coats well-groomed is very important to the dog’s overall wellbeing. Owners of this crossbreed, or people considering buying a Goldendoodle, should educate themselves on grooming necessities. A frequent question is, “How often should I
How Often Should I comb My Goldendoodle
Goldendoodles should be brushed or combed every day to avoid matting and tangling their fur.
Goldendoodles are bred from two dogs with very distinct coat types. The Golden Retrievers’ thick straight coat is luxurious and long, while the Poodle’s curls are beautiful spirals. Goldendoodles can have any variation of either of these fur types, straight, curly, or a wavy mixture of the two.
Straight-haired Goldendoodles have coats most similar to their Golden Retriever heritage. They shed more but their coats are least likely to mat. These pups will need the least strict grooming routine but should still be brushed at least 2-3 times a week.
If your Goldendoodle’s fur is wavy, a brushing routine of almost every day to daily is ideal. Their coats are semi-prone to shedding and matting because it is a combination of both breeds.
Curly-haired Goldendoodles will need the most intensive grooming routine because they are most likely to mat easily. They will need to be brushed or combed every day and trimmed every 6-8 weeks. Luckily, they are least likely to shed.
Is it hard to groom a Goldendoodle? If you implement a brushing routine, grooming your Goldendoodle should not be difficult, no matter which coat type they have. Brushing or combing their fur daily will prevent fur mats.
Rewarding your pup with a treat after lets them positively associate with grooming. This will come in handy when it is time for them to be groomed by a professional at a salon.
Health Risks Related to Matted Fur
Fur mats are a nightmare for Goldendoodles and dogs with similar coat types. Mats are hardened pads of shed fur from your dog’s undercoat tangled with their topcoat. It is important to keep your dog as mat-free as possible. There are several health issues your dog will be at risk of that are related to severe fur matting.
When the hairs from your Goldendoodles two coats are tightly tangled, they can pull at your dog’s skin causing pain and tender skin. Eventually your dog’s skin will become tender to touch and irritated.
It is possible bruises can develop from mats. This can affect and weaken blood circulation because blood is being trapped at the skin’s surface. Lack of blood circulating to your dog’s feet, tail, and ears can result in sores (similar to bed sores), overheating in the summer, and frostbite in the winter.
Severe mats limit your Goldendoodle’s mobility, especially where areas of the body adjacent to where their joints meet (such as the hips, top of the tail, and armpits) and stop them from moving to their fullest extent. This can either be because it causes them too much pain or they are just physically restrained from movement.
Parasites such as fleas and ticks can hide under matted fur. There they infest and breed and will be shielded by the hard pads. If urine and feces get matted into your Goldendoodle’s fur, that can attract flies to them, and they can infest and bite your pup, too.
Infestations of parasites can cause illnesses such as anemia (low red blood count), bacterial and other infections, and transmit diseases such as Lyme disease. All of these can seriously impact your Goldendoodle’s health, not to mention your wallet from vet bills.
Should I brush My Goldendoodle Daily?
There are many benefits to brushing your Goldendoodle on a daily basis.
- It deters matting and all of the aforementioned health risks associated with them.
- Brushing evenly distributes the natural oils that your dog’s skin produces, allowing for natural conditioning of the fur and skin. It also prevents their fur from looking greasy.
- It promotes blood circulation.
- By paying attention to your dog’s body up close every day, you can spot abnormalities like bumps, irritations, and parasites quickly and address any issues.
- Your Goldendoodle will shed less (if they shed at all) with a daily combing.
- Your pup will be accustomed to being touched and groomed which will make vet and grooming visits easier for everyone.
- It is a great time to bond and be affectionate with your pup.
How Much Does It Cost to Groom A Goldendoodle?
On average, grooming your Goldendoodle will cost approximately $50-$80 every 6-8 weeks. At most grooming salons, a typical session includes a shampoo bath, brushing, a haircut, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and teeth brushing. At some salon locations, especially at commercial pet stores, the use of special shampoos will cost differently than others. Groomers will charge either a flat rate or by the hour.
Some services will cost extra in addition to the initial grooming session, such as:
- De-matting- the removal of mats on the dog’s fur
- De-shedding- brushing out loose undercoat hair.
- Flea and tick treatment- the removal of fleas, ticks, and other parasites from your dog.
- Blueberry facial- a facial that gently removes dead skin and tear stains from the dog’s face. This is especially beneficial for dog’s that have facial folds or are prone to tearing.
- Nail polish
- Anal gland expression– the squeezing of fluids from the dog’s anal glands.
Other things that can affect the cost of a grooming session are the breed, condition of fur, temperament, and frequency of visits. Dogs that are larger or have more difficult coats will cost more to groom.
If your dog has aggression or anxiety issues, that may also hike the price up. These factors usually result in more time grooming and the groomer’s safety.
Sometimes, if you are a frequent customer, you will be eligible for discounts for your patronage. Remember to tip your groomer well if you are happy with their work!
At-Home Grooming Pro-Tips
Here are some last at-home grooming tips in between professional grooming sessions.
- Get the proper grooming tools. Using the wrong tools or using them improperly can damage your dog’s coat.
brush orcomb from their feet to their head, and up from closest to their skin.- Be gentle. Tangles and mats pull on their skin, so don’t cause your pup more pain by combing too hard.
brush orcomb your pup before you bathe them. Water worsens mats so brushing them out after a bath will be more painful.- Give your Goldendoodle a little massage after brushing them. This will stimulate their skin, promote circulation of the blood, and it just feels good!
- Reward them with a big treat like chicken or a bit of cheese after brushing them. this teaches them good behaviors for future grooming sessions and makes a professional’s job much easier.
Now that you have all the basic information on brushing and grooming your Goldendoodle, show them you love them by making them look great!