How much grooming do they need?
There are two different coat types for the Australian Labradoodle, the grooming requirement varies depending on the coat length, lifestyle and grooming routine a simple guide is below see below:
Wool
This coat is the most allergy friendly. This is a luxurious, thick and dense coat. The curls are like that of a poodle and this coat is considered to be non-shedding. Wool coats are easy to care for; clipping approx. 4 – 5 times a year should do the trick in addition to regular brushing.
Fleece
Fleece is very soft and silky, a sort of chenille to touch. It is absolutely gorgeous! A true fleece should not shed. The curliness of this coat can range anywhere from wavy to a spiral. This coat requires medium level of maintenance depending on the length of the coat. It can be scissored or clipped, most families have this carried out 3 – 4 times a year. Regular brushing is also necessary to keep the coat healthy and flowing.
N. B Fleece and Wool adult coat comes in around 10-14 months old. Because the puppy coat doesn’t shed on its own, it will need to be stripped out or it will cause severe matting. During this time of coat change, which could take anywhere from 1 to several weeks, it is recommended that the puppy receive daily grooming.
The most common mistake made when grooming is to brush over the top but not get in underneath and close to the skin. It can be quite a shock to discover that although your dog looks beautiful ‘on top’ underneath there is a host of matting you haven’t seen. Although it ‘poofs’ up and looks very fluffy, a light spraying with water will settle it right back down into its curls. If you brush thoroughly first, you will save the groomer a lot of time and yourself a lot of money. Your Australian Labradoodle is also more likely to come back looking beautiful instead of shaved like a rabbit.
