Goldendoodle coats can be soft and fluffy when they are puppies. Even after the coat change, adult Goldendoodles can still have super soft coats.
The physical appearance of the Goldendoodle can vary from Curly Poodle right through to Shaggy Golden Retriever. English and American Goldendoodles can be curly, wavy, or straight coat.
It can be difficult to know what kind of coat a Goldendoodle puppy will have. We asked owners and breeders how to tell what coat your Goldendoodle will have.
Table of Contents
3 Types of Goldendoodle Coat
People desire Goldendoodles for their temperament and health, as well as the possibility of a non-shedding coat.
Goldendoodles are considered ‘hypoallergenic’ (although there is no such thing as a 100% hypoallergenic dog).
All Goldendoodles can smell, regardless of coat type. There are seven common causes of Goldendoodles smelling – find out more here.
There are three types of Goldendoodle fur coats
- Wavy
- Curly
- Straight
The three Goldendoodle coats have differing degrees of curliness. Different genes inherited from the parent dogs will determine the coat type.
Wavy Coat Goldendoodles
Wavy Goldendoodle coats are the most common coat for Goldendoodles. They are also referred to as fleece coats.
- A wavy coat will grow to around 10-18cm (4 to 7 inches) in left untrimmed
- The hair will typically be shorter around the face
- Wavy coats are low shedding
- Wavy or fleece coats are less dense than a curly coat
- Wavy coat Goldendoodles are low allergy
Wavy coat Goldendoodles needs brushing at least once per week. The coat will stay healthy and clean with little other effort.
Curly Coat Goldendoodles
Curly Goldendoodle coats feature the most dense curls of any Groodle coat type. The curly coat is also most like that of the purebred Poodle.
- Curly coats will eventually stop growing if left. The curls are very dense you won’t be able to gauge their length visually.
- The hair will typically be shorter around the face – but not always. This can give a large volume curly “afro” style haircut when brushed.
- Curly coat Goldendoodles are very allergy friendly. They are typically non-shedding. (with the usual reminder that there is no such thing as a 100% hypoallergenic dog)
- Curls can be anywhere from a loose barrel curl to a tight dense kinky curl (Poodle-like)
- If you are taking your puppy to the beach, you will need to be wary of sand getting caught in the layer of curls closest to the skin.
The curly coat is similar but not identical to a Poodle coat. Many owners and breeders report little to no Goldendoodle smell with this coat.
Straight Coat Goldendoodles
Sometimes the straight coat Goldendoodle is called a hair coat or loose coat. These Goldendoodles share the most coat characteristics with a Golden Retriever.
- The straight coat can be extremely low maintenance
- These dogs are shedders
- This type of Goldendoodle is the most likely to cause trouble for allergy sufferers.
- Test individually as many allergy sufferers cope well with lots of different types of Poodle Mix breeds.
Even though this coat is typically the least amount of maintenance – you may still need to brush. And more often than you think. If there is a dense undercoat it will be necessary to brush at least once per week to avoid knotting.
Regardless of coat type all Goldendoodles can end up with ear wax build up or infections. Our guide on how to clean Labradoodle ears can be applied to Goldendoodles as well.
Goldendoodle Coat Stages (Puppy Coat to Adult Coat)
- Zero – 8 months: Puppy coat (softer fur coat)
- 8 months + : Final Goldendoodle adult coat
The replacement adult coat is typically thicker and stiffer than the puppy coat. The change from puppy coat can be sudden. It can also be gradual and take months to switch to an adult coat.
Toy and teacup Goldendoodles will experience a puppy coat change too.
Several breeders say that it is common for Goldendoodle puppy owners not to notice the coat change. The breeders said this is because either
- The coat change was gradual from 6 months of age with no sudden change
- Or some adult coats for Godlendoodles are super soft and indistinguishable from the puppy coat
How To Tell What Coat Your Goldendoodle Will Have
Genetics will determine the variables of the coat. Cross breeding dogs can give unpredictable results. Goldendoodle puppies can be more like one parent than the other,
Breeders and owners have noted some tricks and tips to help determine the future coat of a Goldendoodle puppy.
From early puppyhood through to one year of age, the Goldendoodle coat is in a constant state of development. Knowing exactly the type of coat that a puppy will have as an adult is not possible.
There are however some early signs that give you an indication of what the adult coat will be. We asked owners and breeders how to tell what coat your Goldendoodle will have.
How to tell what coat your Goldendoodle puppy will have:
- Breeders say that a moustache appearance that is prominent indicates a curly coat
- Wavy coats tend to have more of a beard like shaggy appearance around the muzzle
- Straight coats tend to show with a short and neat snout
Look to the parents if the Goldendoodle is anything other than first generation
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree – and neither do coat types (usually).
By comparing the coats of the parent dogs you will get a generally good idea of the range of possibilities. If both parents are Goldendoodle with fleece, a wavy coat is most likely. If both have loose straight hair – be prepared for shedding.
Nature and genetics will have the final say. These coat prediction methods give best indication of future coat type. There can always be surprises.
F1b Goldendoodle Coat Changes
A F1b Goldendoodle occurs when a F1 (first generation) Goldendoodle is back crossed with a purebred Poodle.
The hypoallergenic, non-shedding Poodle coat is a highly desired feature. A F1b Goldendoodle has an increase of Poodle genetics up to 75%.
This significantly increases the likelihood of a Curly coat or Wavy coat.
F1b Goldendoodles are less likely to have a significant coat change from puppyhood to adulthood. It is common for the fur density and coarseness to increase.
My Goldendoodle Does Not Look Like a Teddy
Some Goldendoodles do not get the gene that gives them the Moustache and Eye hair associated with the “classic Goldendoodle look“.
These Goldendoodles do not have the teddy-bear features. English Goldendoodles are more likely than American Goldendoodles to have the boxy teddy-bear appearance. Both types can look very teddy-bear like with the correct furnishings.
We call the Goldendoodle teddy bear face features furnishings. Dogs with any of the three coat types can also be missing furnishings.
As a result they can look much more like a Poodle or a Golden Retriever. Bernedoodles experience something similar with their tri-colour coats.
F1 Goldendoodles are the most likely to be missing furnishings. F2 (second generation) of F1b Goldendoodles (75% Poodle) rarely are missing furnishings (Wikipedia).
A puppy without furnishings is unlikely to develop them when the coat changes to the adult Goldendoodle coat. It’s just a quirk of appearance. Don’t stress about it, and enjoy spending time with your pup!
You can read more about Goldendoodle coat and compare them to Bernedoodles in this breed comparison.
For more Goldendoodles content check out
Hello,
I am considering a mini goldendoodle and wanted to consult you around your prediction Of adult appearance. Having trouble reviewing this with the breeder. Would it be at all possible for me to send pictures of the puppy for your review?
Thank you!!
Hi, you can email [email protected] and I can see if I can help. It is frustrating that the breeder is not getting back to you! They are best placed to predict appearance (by considering the parents of the particular dog).
Just saw your email – replied! What a cute puppy.
Hello Chris,
I was thinking of getting a goldendoodle puppy, standard/big size. However, looking at many pictures of goldendoodles, I noticed they can range differently in how they look and I can see that it depends on the breed as you mentioned in your article. I’m definitely no expert as this would be my first dog. I was wondering if you can take a look at a few pictures I took snapshots of and advise which breed I should be looking into so when the puppy grows up, it looks like the ones in these pictures. Hope that makes sense.
Thank you,
Katelin Nguyen
Hi Katelin, hello @ oodlelife.com or post links to your snaps here! How exciting for you
Hi I am wondering if you can look at a picture of our puppy to help determine what type of hair. My husband does have allergies mild ones so we are hoping to not have a full straight hair goldendoodle. It’s really hard to tell I know but if you don’t mind giving us your opinion??
[email protected]
No worries!
I just emailed you a few pictures of a few puppies to help determine their coat. Thank you for your help!
Just emailed for your advice!
Hello Chris
My golden doodle is 4 months , will you be able to tell me what kind of hair she will have .
I will send you her picture
Hi. I just emailed for your advice between two puppies coats. Thank you!
Been looking to buy a golden doodle pup. Wondering what type of coat it will have. Mum is a labrador and dad is a double doodle.
A big variable is what type of coat the Double Doodle has! Any previous litters?
Hey Chris,
Great info on this site. I am nervous the dog I buy will go from tan to white over time. Sent you an email with some pics.
Do you mind if I email you a picture to see what kind of coat you think my puppy will have?
Hi just adopted a puppy they told me parents were golden doodle. Mom white dad black, I wanted to know from your experience if that’s true meaning she is adopted. And if so what type of hair would she have.?
Looking at a pup, mom is 100% golden retriever, dad is 50% golden retriever, 50% poodle. We are hoping fir the golden retriever look, with less shedding, if that is even possible. My husband doesn’t like poodles, so I am wondering if I sent you pictures if you could help me out!!
Hello,
I have a 40lb golden doodle. I am struggling to find a good winter jacket that will fit her. We live in CT and the winters can be pretty cold! I run with her a lot but she also goes on walks. Because of the goldendoodles’ large ribcage, it is difficult to find a jacket that will cover her chest without being too large everywhere else. Do you have any suggestions?