Firstly, we should explain what is meant by a Doodle Dog. Doodles are a cross breed between a Poodle and another breed of dog, think Cockapoo/Labradoodle/Cavapoo. They are intentionally bred to pass on certain qualities to their puppies, such as low shedding! It is important to note here that NO dog is truly hypoallergenic, but we will go into this myth in more detail shortly.
Are Doodles Hypoallergenic?
Let's clarify what hypoallergenic means... it is a commonly used term to mean something is void of a allergen BUT there is a lot more to it than simply meaning without allergen. Before getting into the coat types and maintenance of these breed, we should first address the elephant in the room...NO dog is truly hypoallergenic including Cockapoos! So where has this myth, that so many take as fact come from? Often these types of dogs are sold as being hypoallergenic and perfect for people with allergies, unfortunately it is more of a marketing technique than fact.
Before we go into this further it's important to understand that hair/fur comes from a living hair follicle, that has a continuous life cycle made of three phases, Anagen (Growth Phase, this is where the hair is actively growing), Catalan (Transition Phase, where the follicle is getting ready to release the hair) and Telogen (Rest Phase, the follicle has released the hair and is waiting to start the cycle again).
We need to know this to truly understand that every hair/fur both animal and humans will moult and shed!
One of the most common causes of dog allergies is actually a reaction to the dander. Dander is dead skin cells which sticks to the fur. When a dog doesn't shed or moult the dander will stay on the coat rather than falling off into the environment with shedded fur.
As Doodles are a cross breed, it is not a guarantee they will inherit the Poodles less moulting coat type. Unlike straight dog hair that is weighted with downward pressure, curly hair tends to stick together and stay within the coat. There is a chance they will inherit a higher shed coat like that found in the Labrador and Cocker.
Due to these factors of mixing two coat types, Doodle dogs typically shed considerably less than other breeds and can limit the exposure to dander in the environment. It is also worth pointing out that peoples allergies can differ and be caused by other factors associated with dogs such as saliva and the fur itself, in which case a low shedding dog will not help with this.
Coat Types Found in Doodle breeds and how to deal with them
Due to being mixed-breeds, doodles have a variety of coat types. Labradoodles typically have three coat types that come under the categories of wiry, wool and fleece. Where as Cockapoos tend to have a Flat/Straight coat or that more closely like a wool.
Flat/Straight Coat
Cockapoos with flat/straight coats are relatively low maintenance, similar to that of a Cocker Spaniel. Brushing the coat 3 times a week at home will help maintain shedding levels and will usually only require a tidy at the groomers similar to that of a Cocker Spaniel.
Wiry Coat
Mostly likely found in F1 Labradoodles (the first generation cross of 50% Poodle and 50% Labrador). The coat will have a coarse texture with straight wiry hair. Typically these coats will normally only need a tidy up from a professional groomer. Although a most forgiving coat than other variations, they still require regular brushing at home between salon visits to avoid matting. It is also worth pointing out this coat type will more likely shed similar to that of a Labrador, where you will find the hair around the home.
Wool Coat
Doodles with a wool coat are the most similar to that of a Poodle coat. These coats shed the least amount of hair around the house. Due to the dog not dropping the shedded coat they require a lot of maintenance at home to prevent mating and require daily brushing. When brushing these tighter types of coats at home it is best to use the line-grooming technique, which involves working in small separated sections of the coat at a time before moving on to the next area. . These wool type coats need to be seen by a groomer every six to eight weeks for professional maintenance.
Fleece Coat
Fleece coats are a combination of wool and straight coats, so often have a wavy and shaggy appearance. They are easier to maintain than a wool coat but still require daily brushing to avoid mats forming.
When Should I Start Grooming my Doodle Puppy?
Although your doodle puppy won't got through a coat change from puppy to adult coat until they are around six to eight month, it is so important to start getting them used to the grooming process from day one. Short five to ten minute brushing sessions, four to five times a week, should be enough to keep o top of your puppies coat as well as getting both them and yourselves used to the routine. A comb is the perfect tool to see you through from puppy to adult! These home grooming sessions are also a great opportunity for you and your new puppy to bond. But when should they start seeing a professional groomer? The answer to that is as soon as they are fully vaccinated! Again, it is all about getting your puppy used to the salon environment ahead of them needing full trims. These regular visits as puppies also help with ensuring the coat is being properly cared for to avoid unnecessary mats forming.