Breed Guides, Grooming
How Often Should You Groom a Cavoodle?
Feb
“How often do I need to bring my Cavoodle in for grooming?”
🎯 Quick Answer
Professional grooming every 4-8 weeks depending on coat type (wool = 4-6 weeks, fleece = 6-8 weeks, hair = 8-10 weeks). Home brushing should happen every 1-3 days. Shorter haircuts need less frequent grooming. The most common mistake: only brushing the top layer while mats form underneath at skin level.
We hear this question daily. And the answer isn’t as simple as a single number—it depends on coat type, haircut length, and how consistent you are with home brushing.
After grooming over 450 Cavoodles, we’ve worked out the schedules that actually work. This guide gives you the real answer, not the generic “every 6-8 weeks” that ignores all the variables.
The Quick Answer
Professional grooming: Every 4-8 weeks depending on coat type and haircut length.
Home brushing: Every 1-3 days depending on coat type.
But here’s why those ranges are so wide—and how to find YOUR dog’s schedule.
Professional Grooming Frequency by Coat Type
Wool Coat (Curly)
Professional groom: Every 4-6 weeks
Wool coats are the most demanding. The tight curls interlock and trap loose hair, forming mats rapidly. Even with daily home brushing, the coat grows and needs professional attention more frequently.
Why you can’t push it further: By week 7-8, wool coats often have mat formation starting at skin level, even with good home care. What looks fine on the surface may be matted underneath.
Fleece Coat (Wavy)
Professional groom: Every 6-8 weeks
The most common Cavoodle coat allows more flexibility. The loose waves don’t trap hair as aggressively as wool, so you have a bit more time between appointments.
The caveat: This assumes regular home brushing. Skip the brushing, and you’ll need to come in sooner.
Hair Coat (Straight)
Professional groom: Every 8-10 weeks
Hair coats are the lowest maintenance for professional grooming. They don’t mat as easily, and the natural shedding prevents the build-up that causes problems in other coat types.
How Haircut Length Affects Frequency
This is the factor most owners forget. The longer the coat, the more often you need grooming.
Short Clips (Half Inch or Less)
Professional groom: Every 8-10 weeks (any coat type)
Short clips are the easiest to maintain. Less hair means less matting potential. You’re essentially resetting the coat each time, before mats have a chance to form.
Who this suits:
- Owners who can’t commit to daily brushing
- Dogs who dislike being brushed
- Summer maintenance
- Active outdoor dogs
Medium Length (1-2 Inches)
Professional groom: Every 6-8 weeks
The classic “puppy cut” or “teddy bear” look. Manageable with regular brushing but still needs consistent professional attention.
Who this suits:
- Owners who brush every 2-3 days
- Those who want the fluffy look with moderate maintenance
Long Coats (2+ Inches)
Professional groom: Every 4-6 weeks
Long coats look beautiful but require serious commitment. The longer the hair, the faster tangles form, and the more frequently they need professional detangling and shaping.
Who this suits:
- Dedicated owners who brush daily
- Those willing to invest in frequent grooming
- Show dogs or dogs being kept in full coat
💡 Marine’s Pro Tip
When clients ask “can I just brush them more instead of coming in?” I explain that professional grooming isn’t just about brushing — it’s bath, blow dry (never air dry a Cavoodle!), ear cleaning, nail trim, and sanitary trim. Home brushing maintains; professional grooming resets.
The Real Grooming Schedule
Here’s what the schedule actually looks like in practice:
Wool Coat + Long Style
| Task | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Home brushing | Daily (no exceptions) |
| Professional groom | Every 4-5 weeks |
| Maintenance trims | Between full grooms if needed |
Realistic assessment: This is very high maintenance. Most owners with wool coats eventually move to shorter styles.
Wool Coat + Short Style
| Task | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Home brushing | Every 2-3 days |
| Professional groom | Every 6-8 weeks |
This is what we recommend for wool coats. It’s manageable for most families.
Fleece Coat + Medium Style
| Task | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Home brushing | Every 2-3 days |
| Professional groom | Every 6-8 weeks |
The sweet spot for most Cavoodle owners. Fluffy teddy bear look with reasonable maintenance.
Fleece Coat + Short Style
| Task | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Home brushing | Weekly |
| Professional groom | Every 8-10 weeks |
For busy owners. Less of the fluffy aesthetic but much easier to manage.
Hair Coat + Any Style
| Task | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Home brushing | 2-3 times per week |
| Professional groom | Every 8-10 weeks |
Lowest maintenance of all Cavoodle coat combinations.
Home Grooming Between Appointments
Professional grooming is only part of the equation. What you do at home determines how well your Cavoodle’s coat stays between appointments.
Minimum Home Care
Even with frequent professional grooming, you need to do some maintenance at home:
Every few days:
- Full brush, checking all the way to the skin
- Focus on behind ears, under armpits, collar area, groin
- Comb through to verify no hidden mats
Weekly:
- Ear check and clean
- Eye area wipe (especially light-coloured dogs)
- Paw pad check
As needed:
- Face trim around eyes (or schedule a tidy-up)
- Sanitary trim if growing long
What Happens When You Skip Home Brushing
Week 1: Coat looks fine.
Week 2: Small tangles starting.
Week 3: Tangles becoming mats.
Week 4: Mats at skin level.
Week 5-6: Significant matting requiring professional dematting or shave.
The cost: Dematting takes longer, costs more, and is uncomfortable for your dog. Severe matting means a shave-down—there’s no saving the coat.
Signs You’ve Waited Too Long
How do you know if your grooming appointment is overdue?
Visual Signs
- Coat looks dull or tangled
- Hair hanging in eyes
- Sanitary area overgrown
- Coat not lying flat or smooth
- Visible knots or clumps
Touch Test
- Comb doesn’t glide through easily
- Feel lumps or resistance when petting
- Skin not visible when you part the fur
Behaviour Signs
- Dog scratching more than usual
- Shaking head frequently (ear hair overgrown)
- Reluctant to be brushed (because it hurts)
If you notice these signs, book an appointment. Waiting longer only makes it worse.
What Happens at a Professional Groom
Understanding what’s included helps you understand the frequency requirements.
A Full Cavoodle Groom Includes:
- 1. Brush out — Full body, checking for mats
- 2. Bath — Shampoo and condition appropriate to coat
- 3. Blow dry — Fully dried (never air dried)
- 4. Second brush — After drying, catches any remaining tangles
- 5. Haircut — All over body styling
- 6. Face trim — Around eyes, muzzle shaping
- 7. Ear cleaning — Remove debris, trim excess hair
- 8. Nail trim — Cut or grind
- 9. Sanitary trim — Hygiene area
- 10. Paw pad trim — Between toes and pads
- 11. Finishing — Cologne, bows if requested
This is why good Cavoodle grooming takes 2-3 hours. Rushing it compromises quality.
What a “Tidy Up” Includes:
Between full grooms, you might book a maintenance appointment:
- Face and feet trim
- Nail trim
- Ear clean
- Sanitary tidy
- Quick brush
This extends time between full grooms and keeps them looking neat.
Creating Your Schedule
Here’s how to work out your Cavoodle’s specific schedule:
Step 1: Identify Coat Type
- Wool (tight curls): Highest maintenance
- Fleece (wavy): Moderate maintenance
- Hair (straight): Lowest maintenance
Not sure? Ask your groomer.
Step 2: Decide on Haircut Length
- Short (under 1 inch): Longest between grooms
- Medium (1-2 inches): Moderate frequency
- Long (2+ inches): Most frequent grooming
Be honest about what you can maintain.
Step 3: Assess Your Brushing Commitment
- Daily brushing: Can push grooming intervals longer
- Every 2-3 days: Standard intervals apply
- Weekly or less: Need more frequent professional grooming
Step 4: Book Your Schedule
Based on the combinations above, book your appointments in advance. Good groomers fill up—waiting until your dog looks shaggy means waiting for availability.
Pro tip: Book the whole year at once. Every 6 weeks = approximately 8-9 appointments per year. Get them all in the calendar.
What If I Can’t Afford Frequent Grooming?
Professional grooming is an ongoing cost of Cavoodle ownership. But there are ways to manage it:
Keep Them Short
A short clip every 8-10 weeks is cheaper than frequent visits for a longer style. Less grooming time = lower cost.
Learn Basic Maintenance
Face trims and sanitary tidies can be done at home with practice. This extends time between professional appointments.
Don’t Skip Brushing
Home brushing is free. The more you brush, the easier (and cheaper) professional grooms become. Heavily matted dogs cost more to groom.
Budget For It
Calculate yearly cost: 6-9 appointments × grooming fee. Factor this into your pet budget.
Puppy Grooming Schedule
Puppies need a different approach:
First Groom (12-16 Weeks)
After vaccinations, an introduction appointment. Not a full groom—just familiarisation with the process.
Puppy Phase (4-8 Months)
- Every 4-6 weeks for puppy trims
- More frequent to build positive associations
- Shorter appointments focusing on handling
Coat Change (6-12 Months)
- May need more frequent visits
- Coat transition can cause matting
- Groomer helps manage the change
Adult Schedule (12 Months+)
- Establish regular schedule based on coat type and style
- Interval becomes consistent
Common Questions
“My Cavoodle doesn’t look like they need grooming yet. Can I push the appointment back?”
By the time they look like they need it, you’ve often waited too long. Mats form before they’re visible. Stick to the schedule.
“Can I just groom them myself?”
Home grooming is possible but requires significant skill and equipment investment. Most owners do home brushing and leave full grooms to professionals.
“What happens if life gets busy and I can’t brush?”
Book more frequent professional appointments, or keep the coat shorter. Honest communication with your groomer helps—we’d rather see your dog more often than deal with severe matting.
“My Cavoodle hates grooming. What should I do?”
Talk to your groomer about gentle handling techniques. More frequent, shorter appointments often help anxious dogs cope better than infrequent long ones.
The Bottom Line
Cavoodles are not low-maintenance dogs—they just don’t shed. The grooming commitment is real, ongoing, and necessary for their health and comfort.
The schedule that works:
- Know your coat type
- Be realistic about haircut length
- Commit to home brushing
- Book regular professional grooming
- Don’t wait until they look matted
Get this right, and your Cavoodle stays beautiful, comfortable, and mat-free.
Related Guides
- Cavoodle Coat Types — Identify your dog’s coat
- Preventing Cavoodle Matting — Home care guide
- Cavoodle Haircut Styles — Choose your look
- Cavoodle Puppy Checklist — Starting guide
About WoofSpark
We’re Cavoodle specialists in Cessnock, NSW. Over 450 Cavoodles groomed and counting.
Need to book? We recommend booking 4-6 appointments in advance to secure your preferred times.
Book your Cavoodle’s schedule →
Final Notes
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- /cavoodle-coat-types/
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- /cavoodle-haircut-styles/ (C3)
- /cavoodle-puppy-checklist/
- /book
Featured image: Well-groomed Cavoodle, or before/after grooming comparison
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Written by Marine Ponchaut
Marine is the founder of WoofSpark, a professional dog grooming salon in Cessnock, NSW. Since founding WoofSpark in 2019, she has groomed thousands of dogs and helped countless new puppy owners get started on the right foot.
Ready to Book Your Schedule?
Consistent grooming keeps your Cavoodle comfortable and beautiful. We recommend booking several appointments at once to secure your preferred times. Book your Cavoodle’s grooming schedule.