In a 2023 study of sales and adverts by advertising space Pets4Home, Goldendoodles were found to be the UK's favourite dog breed, and it seems that Doodle breeds are here to stay.

Loved for their teddy-like appearance, calm nature and the fact that they shed little to no hair, it's no wonder the nation is in love with these stunning hybrid breeds.

In this guide, we share our top tips on caring for your Doodle's high-maintenance coat at home to help your dog look and feel its best.

Table of contents:

Ensure you have the right grooming tools

Improve your brushing technique

Schedule your grooming appointments

Pay attention to hygiene areas

Choose the correct professional groomer

Ensure you have the correct grooming tools

If you own a Doodle breed, you'll already know the importance of keeping on top of its grooming routine between appointments. Investing in professional grooming tools can help with that.

Doodle breeds are chosen as pets because they don't cast their coats, so they're perfect for owners prone to hair and dander-related allergies.

Much like Poodles, most Doodle breeds are non-shedders, but their hair does grow out into their coats, which can lead to mats and tangles.

With this in mind, brushing your Doodle's coat regularly between appointments is extremely important to prevent matting from becoming an issue.

For a perfectly maintained Doodle coat, choose a high-quality slicker brush and a metal comb with wide-spaced pins that will allow you to work through your dog's thick and curly or wavy coat.

If you don't want to pull on your dog's coat, a detangling spray can also be a good investment. Spritzing your Doodle's coat before brushing can help minimise discomfort when brushing.

Scissors can also be a useful investment for at-home grooming. Opt for a pair of straight scissors for trimming and bull nose scissors for trimming and tidying the hair on the face.

Improve your brushing technique

When brushing your Doodle between professional appointments, it's not just about having the right tools; it's also important to master the technique!

Set aside time to brush them daily or at least four times a week. This is the best way to prevent mats and tangles from forming, especially in mat-prone areas such as the legs, tail, ears and belly.

Patience is paramount when brushing your Doodle, especially if yours has thick, dense curls. The best approach is to work in sections in a line brushing technique; parting the coat and brushing from the skin outwards. If your dog's coat is particularly unruly, use your detangling spray to help you work through the coat.

To prevent your Doodle from matting, establish a brushing schedule that you can stick to, whether first thing in the morning when you're just back from the morning walk or in the evening when your dog is relaxed and more patient.

With time and patience, you'll be brushing your Doodle with ease!

Bathing your dog

If you have to bathe your Doodle between grooming appointments, using the correct shampoo can make a huge difference to the end result and make the task of brushing their coat much more manageable. Opt for a 2-in-1 conditioning shampoo such as Groomers Crazy Curls 2 in 1 Conditioning Shampoo, then follow up with a coat conditioning spray, making it easier to ease knots and tangles.

Schedule in your grooming appointments

Having a Doodle means regular professional grooming appointments if you want to keep its coat in exceptional condition. The best way to stay on top of this is to schedule regular grooming appointments with a professional groomer.

Most Doodle breeds will benefit from having a professional haircut every six to eight weeks to help them maintain a healthy coat and prevent overgrowth. Regular grooming appointments also help to keep mats and tangles at bay and reduce the risk of skin infections.

The cut you opt for for your Doodle depends on its hair type and lifestyle. For example, if you have a Labradoodle with a hair coat, its coat will be more coarse, wiry and prone to shedding than a Doodle with a curly coat, so both types will require a different type of cut.

If you're unsure which cut to choose for your Doodle, why not read our guide on Labradoodle grooming, where the most popular Doodle cuts are explained in detail to help you decide which will best suit your dog?

Pay attention to hygiene areas

When caring for your Doodle's grooming needs at home, it's also important to stay on top of their ears, nails and sanitary areas to ensure they stay healthy.

Nails

Nail trimming is essential for all dog breeds to prevent their nails from becoming overgrown and causing discomfort. Most dogs require their nails to be clipped every four weeks, which your dog's professional groomer or vet can take care of for you.

When cutting a dog's nails, there many things to consider such as the dog's temperament, how far down to cut the nail to prevent it from bleeding and whether to clip or grind the nails.

If you feel that taking care of your dog's nails is something you'd be comfortable doing yourself, read our guide on How To Cut A Dog's Nails or ask your professional groomer for help and advice before undertaking the task.

Ears

Doodles can be prone to ear infections, so their ears must be cleaned regularly. Your professional groomer or vet can take care of this for you. However, you may want to do this more regularly at home to keep the risk of infections at bay.

Always use a vet-approved ear cleaning solution, and if you think your dog has an ear infection, stop cleaning and visit your vet for localized treatment.

What is displacement behaviour in dogs?

Displacement is a term for a normal dog behaviour (like licking, scratching, or yawning) that is performed out of context in response to stress or internal conflict. It’s an outlet for their anxious energy.

Action: Talk to your vet and groomer. They can help assess the skin and coat health, and your vet may recommend supplements or a behaviourist to help break the habit.

10. Increased Frequency of Accidents/Urination (Elimination)

This is the most overt and inconvenient sign of extreme anxiety, fear, or a complete lack of control.

Can anxiety cause my dog to pee inside?

Yes. Stress, fear, and excitement can all cause a dog to submissively urinate or lose control of their bladder. This is not defiance; it’s a physical sign they are overwhelmed. This is often seen in greetings with strangers or during extremely loud noises.

Is peeing inside a sign of separation anxiety?

It can be. Dogs with separation anxiety may urinate or defecate inside shortly after you leave the house because they are panicking. It's not a sign of spite—it’s a panic attack.

How to stop stress-related accidents in dogs.

• Rule out medical issues first! A vet should always check for UTIs or other conditions.
• Never punish them. If they have an accident, clean it up calmly and without fuss. Punishing them will only increase their fear and anxiety.
• Focus on the root cause (the fear or separation). Once you address the anxiety, the accidents should stop.

Action: Be patient. This will take time, but a consistent, calm approach to addressing the fear is the only way to solve this long-term.

Why is My Dog Anxious All of a Sudden?

Dog anxiety can appear for many reasons, from obvious changes to seemingly minor triggers. Understanding the cause is the first step toward treatment.

Common Reasons for Dog Anxiety

Separation Anxiety: This is the anxiety your dog feels when they are left alone. Because they associate all good things (food, play, cuddles) with you being around, being left alone can trigger an intense panic. Training them to feel secure in their own company is the only way to fix this.

Fear of Loud Noises (Noise Anxiety): Unexplained loud noises like fireworks or thunderstorms are scary! A negative experience can trigger extreme anxiety and cause them to fret even when they just sense a storm coming.

Environmental Changes: Dogs thrive on routine. Changes like moving house, a new person/pet joining the family, or changes to your daily schedule (longer work hours) can all cause stress. Breaking down the process of change into small, positive steps is essential for adaptation.

Situational Anxiety (Grooming/Handling Fear): This type of anxiety is triggered by a specific event or environment, such as loud noises, strange equipment, and unfamiliar restraint or handling during a professional grooming session. Dogs may become restless, distressed, or pull away due to a fear of the unknown or negative past experiences.