Goldendoodle Haircuts: The Most Important Grooming Tips for a Beautiful, Healthy Coat
Goldendoodle haircuts are an essential part of grooming, and as an experienced breeder of both Goldendoodles and Bernedoodles, we know how important proper grooming is for your pup’s health and comfort. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about grooming tools, coat types, and maintaining your dog’s best appearance.
Understanding Goldendoodle Haircuts and Coat Types
Goldendoodles can have a variety of coat types, which directly affects how they should be groomed. The most common types are curly, wavy, and straight. Each requires a different grooming approach.
Straight Hair Goldendoodle or Flat Coat Goldendoodle
A straight hair goldendoodle, also known as a flat coat goldendoodle, has a coat more similar to a Golden Retriever. These dogs are more of a wash-and-go type when it comes to grooming. While they shed a bit more and require less frequent trims than their curly-haired cousins, they can still develop mats—especially around the ears. Regular brushing is recommended, although not as often as with curly-coated doodles. A regular metal comb is a must-have tool to gently prevent and work out early mats before they become painful.
Teddy Bear Goldendoodle: A Popular Style
The teddy bear goldendoodle haircut is one of the most requested grooming styles. It features a rounded face, trimmed ears, and a fluffy, plush appearance that gives your dog that signature teddy bear look. This style is ideal for owners who want a low-maintenance yet stylish look. Trims are usually every 6–8 weeks to maintain shape and cleanliness.
Bernedoodle Haircuts and the Teddy Bear Bernedoodle Look
Much like Goldendoodles, Bernedoodles also benefit from the teddy bear bernedoodle haircut. The teddy bear cut gives them a cuddly, soft appearance and makes maintenance easier by preventing tangles and mats.
How to Groom a Goldendoodle: Breeder-Approved Advice
Start with the Right Tools
Before giving your Goldendoodle or Bernedoodle a haircut, it’s important to gather the right grooming tools. From our experience, the best brush for a goldendoodle is a slicker brush combined with a metal comb. These tools help remove loose hair, prevent matting, and reach through dense curls.
We recommend:
- Slicker brush: Great for daily brushing
- Metal comb: Ideal for ears, legs, and underarms
- Detangling spray and comb: Makes brushing easier and prevents breakage. The comb can break up mats that have started to form.
- Clippers and scissors: For trimming and shaping
We also proudly partner with Pupwell, a small business that brings beauty and function to essential grooming tools and accessories. Their thoughtfully designed products include lick mats, a stay-in-place suction leash, and other tools that help make grooming more enjoyable for both you and your doodle. Through us, you can access Pupwell’s products at a fantastic discount (10% off with our code: causeofourjoy or get 50% off through us with orders over $150.) They also offer educational resources for learning about at-home grooming. This thoughtfully selected brush set includes four go-to grooming tools perfect for doodles. Featuring Pupwell’s Everyday Slicker Brush, Detangling Comb, Detailer Comb, and Everyday Comb, it helps keep your dog looking great and feeling their best between groomer visits.
Establish a Routine Early and Know When to Start Trimming
At Cause of Our Joy Goldendoodles, we begin preparing our puppies for a lifetime of stress-free grooming from an early age. As part of our socialization process, our pups are gently introduced to water and bathing, regular nail clipping, and the sound and feel of a blow dryer and nail grinder. This hands-on approach helps them build confidence and comfort with grooming tools and routines before they ever leave our care. By the time they go home, they’ve already had a positive foundation that makes it easier for new pup parents to maintain grooming habits at home or with a professional.
Start grooming your puppy as early as 10–12 weeks. Regular handling of their paws, ears, and face helps them become comfortable with the grooming process. Even if they don’t need a full haircut yet, getting them used to brushing and touching will make future grooming sessions stress-free.
While it’s important to establish a routine early, avoid giving your doodle a full haircut until their adult coat has come in (typically between 6 to 12 months of age.) Clipping too early can interfere with the way their adult coat grows in. Stick to light trims in hygiene areas and focus on building grooming habits until their coat matures.
Bathing and Drying
Bathe your doodle every 4–6 weeks using a gentle, dog-specific shampoo. Harsh shampoos can strip the coat of natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation. This combo is gentle and safe for puppies’ skin. After shampooing, you can use a leave-in conditioner to keep their coat soft and manageable. One product we love and use ourselves is The Stuff Leave-In Dog Conditioner and Detangler Spray, which helps prevent tangles and adds a soft, shiny finish. Use a high-velocity dryer (or towel-dry thoroughly) and make sure they are fully dry before brushing or trimming.
Trim with Care
When trimming your Goldendoodle, pay special attention to high-friction areas:
- Between the paw pads
- Around the eyes
- Under the ears
- Tail and sanitary areas
Dealing with Common Grooming Challenges
Mats and Tangles
Goldendoodles are prone to matting, especially in areas where friction occurs. Mats that go down to the skin can tug painfully, restrict movement, and even affect circulation. Severely matted dogs may need to be shaved down completely to resolve the condition. Regular brushing (at least 3 times a week for curly coats) and the use of detangling combs and sprays can help prevent mats from forming.
Sensitive Areas
Some doodles don’t like having their paws, ears, or face touched. Build trust slowly and offer treats and praise during grooming. For sensitive dogs, consider professional grooming until they become more comfortable.
Nail and Ear Care
Don’t overlook ear and nail care. Doodles often grow hair inside their ears, which can trap moisture and lead to infections. Clean their ears regularly using a vet-approved solution. Clip their nails every 3–4 weeks to prevent the quick from overgrowing and affecting movement. Don’t forget dewclaws, they don’t wear down naturally. Follow clipping with a nail grinder (a Dremel-type tool) to smooth sharp edges. Pupwell’s Iconic Nail Duo is a great set to take care of your pup’s nails.
Caring for Hair Around the Eyes
Keeping the hair around your doodle’s eyes trimmed is more than a cosmetic concern. It’s essential for their comfort and health. Long strands can block vision and trap moisture and debris, especially when eye discharge (often called “eye goobers”) gets tangled in the fur. This can lead to irritation or even infection. Removing the eye goobers when present and trimming the hair around the eyes helps keep your doodle’s face clean and their vision clear. Pupwell’s Mini Safety Scissors are small with rounded ends, perfect for trimming sensitive areas.
Mobile Groomers
We personally love using mobile groomers and highly recommend them. They come directly to your home, which is incredibly convenient, especially if you have multiple dogs. It saves time, eliminates car rides, and your dog doesn’t have to wait in a crate for pickup. Another major advantage is hygiene. Traditional grooming salons, where many dogs gather, can spread respiratory illnesses like kennel cough. One of our pups once contracted it this way, so we’re especially cautious. If you’re in the Cheyenne area, I highly recommend Melissa’s Mobile Pet Spa. She’s been grooming our doodles for years and we just love her!
Final Thoughts: Goldendoodle Haircuts Are About More Than Looks
Whether you prefer the adorable teddy bear goldendoodle or the charming teddy bear bernedoodle, regular grooming is key to maintaining their health, hygiene, and happiness. Choosing the right haircut, using the best brush for goldendoodle grooming, and understanding your dog’s coat type makes all the difference.
From our experience as breeders, we’ve seen that dogs who are groomed consistently are not only more comfortable but also more confident and affectionate. Make grooming a positive, bonding experience, and your doodle will thank you with love and loyalty.
If you’re unsure how to groom a goldendoodle or want to explore professional grooming options, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re happy to share trusted recommendations and tips from our years of experience.