Breed Guides
Doodle Coat Care: How to Keep Your Cavoodle, Labradoodle or Goldendoodle Mat-Free
Jan
Meta description: Learn the 5-minute daily brushing routine that prevents 90% of doodle matting. Professional groomers share coat care tips for Cavoodles, Labradoodles and Goldendoodles.
Target keyword: doodle coat care
Secondary: cavoodle grooming, labradoodle coat maintenance, goldendoodle brushing, doodle matting prevention
Doodle coat care comes down to three things: brush for 5 minutes daily, always use detangling spray, and check the mat zones (behind ears, armpits, collar area) every time.
Do those three things consistently and you’ll avoid 90% of matting problems.
We’re the grooming team at WoofSpark, and we’ve groomed over 3,000 doodles — Cavoodles, Labradoodles, Goldendoodles, Groodles, and every other poodle mix you can name. About 40% of the doodles we see have hidden mats their owners didn’t know about.
It’s not because owners don’t care. It’s because nobody taught them what doodle coats actually need.
Why Doodle Coats Are High Maintenance
Doodles inherit genetics from two very different coat types:
From the poodle parent:
– Continuously growing hair
– Curly texture
– Minimal shedding
– High matting tendency
From the other parent:
– Varying texture (wavy to straight)
– Different density
– Possible undercoat
The result: every doodle’s coat is unique. Even puppies from the same litter can have completely different coats.
The Three Doodle Coat Types
Wool Coat (Tight Curls)
– Looks most like a poodle
– Lowest shedding, HIGHEST maintenance
– Mats within 3-4 days without brushing
– Needs professional grooming every 4-6 weeks
Fleece Coat (Soft Waves)
– Most common in doodles
– Moderate maintenance
– Mats within 5-7 days without brushing
– Needs professional grooming every 6-8 weeks
Hair Coat (Mostly Straight)
– More like the non-poodle parent
– Easiest to maintain
– Higher shedding
– Needs professional grooming every 8-10 weeks
Quick test: Get your dog wet. If it springs into tight curls, that’s wool. Loose waves = fleece. Hangs straight = hair.
The 5-Minute Daily Brushing Routine
This is the routine we teach every client. Five minutes daily beats one hour weekly.
Minute 1: Mist and Legs
Spray the coat lightly with detangler. Start with back legs, brushing from skin to tip.
Minute 2: Body
Work in sections using line brushing — part the coat and brush from skin level, not just the surface.
Minute 3: Mat Zones
Focus on problem areas:
– Behind the ears
– Under the collar
– Armpits
– Groin area
– Where harness sits
Minute 4: Chest, Neck, Head
Be gentle around the face. Don’t forget under the chin.
Minute 5: Comb Test
Run a steel comb through everything. If it catches, there’s a mat — go back to brushing. If it glides through, you’re done.
Essential Doodle Grooming Tools
You only need five tools:
- Slicker brush — Your daily essential ($30-80)
- Steel comb — Your mat detector ($15-30)
- Detangling spray — Non-negotiable, never brush dry ($15-25)
- Dematting comb — For small mats only ($20-40)
- Grooming wipes — Quick face and paw cleaning ($10-15)
Total investment: $120-200. That’s it.
Pro tip: Never brush a dry doodle coat. Dry brushing creates static and damages hair. Always mist with detangler first.
Why Doodles Mat (And How to Prevent It)
Mats form when loose hair tangles with attached hair. Friction tightens the tangle over time.
Main causes:
– Infrequent or surface-only brushing
– Moisture (rain, swimming, slobber)
– Friction from collars and harnesses
– Coat change (puppy to adult coat around 6-12 months)
Prevention:
– Daily 5-minute brushing (not weekly)
– Remove collar when at home
– Dry thoroughly after water
– Brush BEFORE walks, not just after
– Extra brushing during coat change period
Seasonal Coat Care (Australian Climate)
Summer (Dec-Feb)
– Book a shorter clip for comfort
– Rinse after beach/pool visits
– Watch for hot spots in humidity
Winter (Jun-Aug)
– Fuller coat is fine for warmth
– Still brush daily — winter coats mat too
– Dry thoroughly after wet walks
Spring (Sep-Nov)
– Check for grass seeds after every walk
– Increase brushing as coat thickens
– Pre-summer groom recommended
When to See Your Groomer
Standard schedule:
– Wool coats: Every 4-6 weeks
– Fleece coats: Every 6-8 weeks
– Hair coats: Every 8-10 weeks
Book sooner if you notice:
– Mats you can’t remove
– Coat looking dull
– Nails clicking on floor
– Dirty ears
– Any skin issues
The Cost Reality
Let’s be direct:
- Standard doodle groom: $80-150
- Dematting fee: $20-60 extra
- Severe matting (shave-down): Same price, shorter result
Staying on schedule + daily brushing = standard pricing every time.
Skipping appointments + no brushing = premium pricing and a haircut shorter than you wanted.
Get the Full Guide Free
We’ve put everything we know about doodle coat care into a detailed guide — coat type identification, tool recommendations, seasonal care calendars, mat removal techniques, and more.
[Download the Complete Doodle Coat Care Guide →]
It’s the exact advice we give clients at WoofSpark, now available free.
WoofSpark is a professional dog grooming salon in Australia specialising in doodle breeds. Book your next groom →
Internal Linking
Link TO this post from:
– Homepage
– Services page
– Other breed-specific posts
Link FROM this post to:
– Lead magnet landing page (main CTA)
– Booking page
– Product pages (brushes, detanglers) when live
Related posts to create:
– Cavoodle grooming guide
– Labradoodle coat maintenance
– Goldendoodle puppy coat care
– Doodle coat change: what to expect