When Do Goldendoodles Lose Their Puppy Coats?

There is nothing more exciting than opening your home to a Goldendoodle, but many owners are often surprised when their puppy’s coat begins to change.

After extensively researching Goldendoodles, I have gathered enough information to determine when Goldendoodle puppies lose their coats. My research has indicated that the age a Goldendoodle loses its puppy coat can vary depending on the genetic background and breeding process of the dog.

Why Do Goldendoodle Puppies Lose their Coats?

Goldendoodles are born with a puppy coat that is generally fluffier and more vibrant than their adult coat.

Shedding this puppy coat is a completely natural process that you should expect your Goldendoodle to go through, so don’t be alarmed when you notice a difference in your pup’s hair.

The puppy coat is there to give your Goldendoodle an extra layer of protection in its environment and to keep it warm.

Once your Goldendoodle pup begins to transition into adulthood, this puppy coat will shed itself automatically and will be replaced by an adult coat. 

At What Age Do Goldendoodle Puppies Lose their Coats?

In most cases, Goldendoodles tend to lose their puppy coats when they are 5 to 8 months old. 

The exact timeframe that you can expect your Goldendoodle to lose its coat can be difficult to predict, as this can vary from case to case. 

Some Goldendoodles can take up to a year or more to lose their puppy coat, whereas other pet owners noticed changes as early as 4 months. 

The shedding process can also vary, as some Goldendoodles lose their puppy coats very quickly. If that’s the case with your dog, then you will likely see a lot of hair suddenly appear on your floor one day. 

On the other hand, some Goldendoodles lose their puppy coats gradually. The process can drag on and take several weeks or even a month+. 

My advice is to keep an eye on your pup at around the 4-month period and look for any changes in their coat regularly.

What Happens When a Goldendoodle Loses its Puppy Coat?

When a Goldendoodle loses its puppy coat, the changes may be significant or hardly noticeable. This is an important phase of your pup’s development because it will determine how much grooming your Goldendoodle needs in adulthood. More on this later.

Goldendoodles can have several different coat types, and they all require a specific maintenance approach.

The reason for this is that Goldendoodles have a dynamic genetic background that can vary depending on the breeding process and ancestral history of the pup. 

The Goldendoodle is a mix between a Poodle and a Golden Retriever, which both have very different coat types. 

Depending on how your pup was bred, it could have either balanced genes or dominant ones leaning towards one of its parents. 

In general, Poodle coats require a lot more work and maintenance. 

This will affect your Goldendoodle’s coat more than anything given that Poodles don’t actually have fur but hair. 

A hair coat implies more maintenance from your end, so observe your pup closely as it begins to transition into adolescence and adulthood.

Shedding

Goldendoodles are known for being hypoallergenic dogs, but a certain amount of shedding is to be expected as your dog loses its puppy coat. 

How much shedding you can expect with your pup is hard to determine. 

Some pet owners report that their Goldendoodle pup hardly shed at all during this phase. Whereas others experienced a massive amount of shedding in a short period.

You need to consider your Goldendoodle’s coat type when evaluating shedding.

Matting

Perhaps the most troublesome aspect of a Goldendoodle losing its puppy coat is matting. Goldendoodles actually have a double coat which is prone to getting matted, especially when they transition into their adult coat. 

When the new coat starts to come in, it can get tangled up with the old one

Once this happens, it’s not going to be a pleasant experience for you or your Goldendoodle. You can expect dense knots that are virtually impossible to undo, which is why I highly recommend grooming and maintaining your Goldendoodle’s coat early on.

Color Changes

A unique characteristic of a Goldendoodle’s coat is its dynamic range of colors. 

Goldendoodles are known for having very vibrant and unusual coat colors such as red, blue, and apricot, which are particularly eye-catching during their puppy months.

Many pet owners are often disappointed when they notice their Goldendoodle’s hair color transition. 

This can be quite dramatic as some Goldendoodles will change their original color, which can result in your pup looking like a completely different dog.

The reason for this is that Goldendoodles inherit many characteristics from their Poodle genes such as changing the color of their coats. 

Poodles undergo a process called ‘Progressive Graying’, resulting in the original coat color fading as the dog gets older. If your Goldendoodle has dominant Poodle genes, this is something to be aware of.

Goldendoodle Coat Types 

Goldendoodle coats stand out compared to a lot of other breeds. Their double coat can vary in characteristics due to Poodle and Golden Retriever genetics, which ultimately will determine how much grooming is required. 

Golden Retriever coats are made out of fur and are known for shedding excessively. Whereas Poodles have non-shedding hair coats that require a lot more grooming and maintenance. These are the most common Goldendoodle coat types:

• Wavy
• Curly
• Straight
• Flat

At What Age Should I Start Grooming my Goldendoodle?

If there’s one thing that you need to get used to as a Goldendoodle owner, it’s grooming your pup.

Goldendoodles require routine grooming for their coats to be healthy and presentable, so don’t neglect this essential part of your pup’s maintenance.

The age that you need to begin grooming can vary, but 5 months is generally a good time to start. 

Although grooming may not be vital at this age, you want to get your Goldendoodle used to the idea. 

Getting constantly brushed and washed is going to be part of your Goldendoodle’s schedule so it’s best for them to adapt to this early on.

I recommend you start out by getting your pup used to being brushed. They may resist at first but it’s much better that you start sooner rather than later, as they may feel intimidated by the idea the longer you wait. 

A critical reason you should start at 5 months is you want your Goldendoodle to be comfortable getting groomed when it loses its puppy coat. 

Once the adult coat comes in, it may get tangled up with the old one. 

Grooming during this phase will be tedious and frustrating for your Goldendoodle, which is why exposing them to coat care is mandatory while they are still a puppy.

DIY vs Professional Grooming

When it comes to grooming your Goldendoodle, you have a couple of options. Some owners prefer to groom their Goldendoodles themselves, whereas others would rather go to a professional. 

A professional dog groomer will know exactly what to do and they will guarantee that your Goldendoodle’s coat is healthy and presentable. 

With that said, paying for professional grooming can get very expensive in the long run, which is why this is not the most sustainable solution for a lot of dog owners. 

The DIY grooming approach comes with financial incentives, but you will find it can also be more convenient in certain situations.

Your Goldendoodle does not always need to see a dog groomer every time it needs to be brushed or combed.

Standard Goldendoodle Grooming Tools

There are basic grooming tasks that you can take care of at home in minutes; saving you time and money. To groom your Goldendoodle at home, you should consider buying the following tools:

• Dog Clippers
• Scissors
• Steel comb
• Detangler
• Shampoo and Conditioner
• Rubber-tipped pin brush with a cushioned pad
• Curved slicker brush

There are a lot of great grooming tools that you can invest in for keeping your Goldendoodle’s coat healthy.

Ultimately, you need to consider how much grooming you want to commit to with the DIY approach.

How Often Should I Groom my Goldendoodle 

While your Goldendoodle is still a puppy, you can approach grooming sparingly, especially before they are 5 months old. 

Once they are of age, I would recommend in-depth grooming at least every 6 to 8 weeks. 

In-depth grooming may require a professional touch if you are not up to the job. 

There is a lot that you can do at home to maintain your Goldendoodle’s coat, but seeking the help of a professional groomer may take a load off of your maintenance. 

With that said, light grooming and maintenance will still be essential from your end. You need to ensure that your Goldendoodle’s coat is not getting matted or tangled by brushing them no less than one time per week. 

Ideally, you should be brushing your Goldendoodle every 2 to 3 days, if possible.

While brushing this frequently may seem like a chore, this is a great way to ensure that your pup’s coat is healthy. 

dKeep in mind that the longer you procrastinate brushing, the more tedious it will be for you and your Goldendoodle later on. 

Key Takeaways

• Most Goldendoodles will lose their puppy coats when they are 5 to 8 months old. 
• Some owners report significant changes in appearance when their Goldendoodle loses its puppy coat – whereas others say the shedding happened gradually with hardly any changes in appearance.
• To ensure that your Goldendoodle has a healthy and presentable coat, start grooming your pup when they are 5 months old.