Goldendoodle Puppy Coat Transition

Whether you’re a new dog owner or looking to buy a Goldendoodle puppy, you’re likely familiar with how many dogs shed and their fur coats change over time. Goldendoodles are a mix between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. While their fur resembles the characteristics of both breeds, their coats are unique in how they transition from a puppy into adulthood.

Many dogs shed fur or experience changes in their coat colors and thickness over time, and Goldendoodles experience a transformation that completely changes their coat. During this process, there are significant differences in how this transition affects the texture and manageability of your puppy’s coat.

The Early Stages of Your Goldendoodle Puppy’s Coat

When your doodle is a pup, you may notice its fur is easy to manage, silky soft, and free of tangles, mats, and shedding. You may find that your Goldendoodle puppy’s coat rarely needs combing because the dog hair is fine and doesn’t require much care, though, over time, you’ll notice a few changes that indicate the beginning of your dog’s coat change.

• Small mats or tangles will begin to appear throughout your puppy’s coat, whether it’s under their ears or arms. They may initially seem hidden and gradually appear throughout your puppy’s fur.
• Your Doodle pup’s hair will quickly transition from silky soft hair to difficult-to-manage fur, and as you brush your pet’s coat, you’ll notice lots of dog hair will loosen and collect on the comb.
• Colors and markings will also change during the coat transition

Once you notice the beginning signs of your pet’s coat transition, your Goldendoodle pup will require grooming to remove the mats, to ensure its coat remains healthy and tangle-free during this stage.

It’s common for this stage to begin between six months and one year, and while some puppies show gradual change to their coat’s texture and growth, others transition quickly.

Three Types of Goldendoodle Puppy Coats: Curly, Wavy, and Straight

Goldendoodle dogs come in a variety of coat colors and textures, which are based on the genetics and characteristics of their parents. During the first year, your Doodle pup’s coat will continually develop, which makes it difficult to determine how it will look as an adult.

The best indicators of your puppy’s adult coat mainly depend on their family history, ranging from straight hair to wavy or curly coats. Goldendoodles with a fleece coat are most likely to have puppies with a wavy coat. If your puppy’s parents have a straight coat, you can expect the same, producing more shedding than curly or wavy coat types.

F1B Goldendoodle Coats

This type of Goldendoodle puppy, a first generation or F1, is bred specifically with up to seventy-five percent Poodle genetics, which is ideal for pet owners looking for a non-shedding and hypoallergic dog. This type of Doodle isn’t likely to shed much during the coat transition and will often have a curly or wavy coat.

Overall, the changes to F1b Goldendoodles are minimal compared to other Doodle varieties, though you’ll notice a distinct change to a coarse, dense texture.

Teacup Goldendoodles

Teacup Goldendoodles and tiny Doodle breeds tend to have facial features that resemble a Golden Retriever or a Poodle. Facial furnishings and tri-color coats appear once the adult coat is fully developed, as they are missing when miniature Goldendoodles are puppies. This process usually occurs between five and eight months.

F1 and F2 Goldendoodles

First and Second-generation Goldendoodles have various developments until they acquire the adult coat. While an F1 Goldendoodle, the first generation, may be missing critical furnishings as a pup, an F2 Goldendoodle or second-generation puppy tends to show furnishings early, as they have three-quarter Poodle genes.

While variations to your puppy’s coat within the first year, you’ll notice these changes adjust over time, and you’ll notice distinct Goldendoodle characteristics once they are fully grown.

Common Characteristics of Your Goldendoodle’s Coat Appearance

A Goldendoodle dog’s coat tends to be soft and easy to manage, making grooming more manageable. This breed is also well-known for its hypoallergenic and low-shedding features. All Goldendoodle dogs have the same silky texture for all fur types, including curly, wavy, and straight coats.

While puppy coats tend to be softer than adult coats, you’ll find that most Goldendoodle owners can easily manage a fully-grown adult coat with a slicker brush and essential grooming kit tools.

Summary

Goldendoodle puppies shed their coat in various stages, either quickly and drastically or gradually, usually between five months and one year. In some cases, dog owners won’t notice must change, as the transition to an adult coat is subtle, and all the colors, furnishings, and unique features typically remain the same. The coat type is often the primary indicator of how transitions occur, and genetics often determine the results for your Goldendoodle puppy.