Goldendoodles who play outside can easily attract leaves and brush into their fur.
Originally bred in Australia as assistance dogs for people with allergies, the goldendoodle is a member of the poodle mix brigade. Your own pup might not shed or make your eyes itchy, but like most poodle hybrids, his fur mats quickly. The soft, slightly oily fur of a golden retriever tangles easily with the tight curls of a poodle without proper preventative grooming. People often choose a hybrid dog based on the erroneous belief that low-shedding means low-maintenance; goldendoodles require not only frequent grooming but regular brushing to ward off painful and unsanitary mats.
Instructions
1. Keep your goldendoodle's coat no longer than 1 1/2 inches from his body. The mixture of golden retriever and poodle fur is already prone to tangling and long fur only exacerbates this problem. Ideally, you should take your goldendoodle to the groomer every six weeks. You could also invest in a quality grooming kit and instructional video.
2. Brush your goldendoodle at least twice a week. Use a slicker brush and begin at the end of the fur, working your way toward the body. The firm bristles of a slicker brush are ideal for penetrating the fuzzy layers of goldendoodle fur. Cut out any small mats you find with scissors instead of trying to brush them out. You will notice mats develop most frequently around his toes, rectum and under-arms. Removing these tangles early will prevent them from growing. Scissors and slicker brushes are available at most pet stores.
3. Condition your dog's fur during bathing. Dog conditioner will coat the fur, making it silky and more manageable, at least for a short period. Do not let your goldendoodle run around outside until he is completely dry. Wet fur will chill his skin and any debris that become entangled in his hair will be especially difficult to remove.
Tags: your goldendoodle, golden retriever, slicker brush