Everyone wants a doodle — and why not? As puppies they are adorable. They grow into beautiful, loyal, intelligent companions. Over the years, I’ve seen nearly every combination imaginable mixed with poodle. From the original Schnoodles and Cockapoos to almost every breed “x” Poodle, doodles are everywhere.
Their coats can range from shaggy and relatively easy to maintain to extremely tight curls that require significant upkeep. One of the biggest selling points is that they “don’t shed.”
Well… that’s partially a myth.
Some doodles do not have a heavy double coat like a German Shepherd or Golden Retriever, but others absolutely do. Even single-coated dogs shed. Anything with hair sheds — including us. The difference is simply the type and amount of hair released.
One of the biggest misconceptions about doodles is the idea that you can have a beautiful, full coat with little to no maintenance. I have even heard breeders reinforce this belief. That is simply not realistic.
Your doodle should visit a groomer as soon as puppy vaccinations are complete. The earlier you introduce grooming — especially with a groomer experienced in working with puppies — the better the lifelong experience will be.
Yes, grooming is expensive.
Yes, you may have asked your groomer not to shave your dog.
And yes, sometimes your dog comes home shaved anyway.
There is almost always a reason for that — and usually it’s matting.
What You Need to Maintain a Curly Coat
These tools are essential for proper coat maintenance and can be purchased on Amazon:
- Slicker Brush – Chris Christensen Big Dog Slicker Brush (or similar quality)
- Steel Comb – Andis Stainless Steel Comb (or similar)
- High-Velocity Dryer – A quality dog dryer such as a EGFKI 5.2hp model
- Professional Dog Shampoo & Conditioner – Choose formulas made specifically for dogs
- Conditioning/Detangling Spray – I currently use Buddy Spray from Cloud Star, but there are many good options
Daily Maintenance Matters
Your doodle needs to be brushed at least 15 minutes a day, focusing on the head, neck, and legs — common problem areas.
After brushing, always follow up with a steel comb.
The comb is what tells the truth.
A brush can make the coat look beautiful on the surface, but if the comb does not glide from the skin all the way through to the ends, there is matting starting underneath.
. 
After bathing, swimming, or getting wet outside:
- Blow dry while gently brushing.
- Follow with the comb from skin to tip.
- If exposed to saltwater or sand, rinse immediately and repeat the drying, brushing, and combing process.
Quality shampoo, conditioner, and a good detangler make a noticeable difference.
When Maintenance Slips
Doodles are not easy to maintain. Please don’t feel bad if matting happens — it takes time, consistency, and patience. Some environments and coat types are simply more challenging than others.
The good news? Hair grows back. You always get another chance.
If daily maintenance isn’t realistic for your lifestyle, schedule grooming regularly and keep the coat at a manageable length. Skipping appointments often leads to shave-downs.
At my salon, December is often a month when people get busy, the weather cools down, and budgets tighten. Grooming appointments get postponed. Then January and February become months full of matted doodles needing shave-downs.
Many of my doodle clients come every two weeks or once a month for maintenance trims. Any longer between appointments can quickly become a problem.
Groomers see the big picture. Owners are the day-to-day champions. When we work together, your dog looks and feels their best.
A good groomer will always choose humanity over vanity. If a coat is causing pain, matting must be removed — even if that means shaving.
Comfort always comes first.
A Note on Rescue Transparency
While researching this topic, I contacted several local rescues to ask whether they educate adopters about the time, upkeep, and cost of maintaining a doodle coat. Road Dog Rescue was the only organization that responded. They explained that they make sure adopters understand the maintenance needs and costs before adoption.
Thank you for your time and transparency.