How often should Labradoodles be groomed? Labradoodle coats should be brushed at least once a day. Bathing should be done twice a month. Trim a Labradoodle’s nails at least once a month or depending on how fast their nails grow.
Learn more about how to groom and take care of your Labradoodle!
Why Should You Groom Labradoodles?
Grooming your Labradoodle prevents their coat from getting tangled and matted. Having matte fur hurts your dogs because it cuts airflow and traps moisture.
This leads to irritation and sores. Mild matting is painful.
Severe cases, on the other hand, can cut off circulation and cause hematomas. Not to mention that as your Labradoodles get older, they become more prone to matting.
There are a couple of reasons why matting occurs. One of these is friction.
Matting often occurs in the parts of your dog where there’s a lot of friction. This includes legs where they come in contact with the floor or the grass.
The armpits, where the collar or the harness sits, is also one of the main areas where matting occurs. The areas where they scratch the most (e.g. behind the ears) are included as well.
Surprisingly, water also contributes to matting as it clumps fur together. It also tightens matted fur which is why you have to be sure to brush your dog’s fur before starting to bathe them.
Fleas and allergies lead to matted fur because of scratching and licking.
How Often Should Labradoodles Be Groomed?
It is important to set a good grooming schedule for your Labradoodle as it can help cut down shedding.
Though Labradoodles do not shed a lot, you might see fur everywhere if you do not groom your dog properly. It would be a hassle to clean, not only your Labradoodle but also your house.
Moreover, it keeps them neat and healthy. All dogs need grooming despite having different maintenance needs.
Bathing
Labradoodles should be given a bath at least twice a month. You should not over-bathe your Labradoodle because it affects the quality of their coat.
As for bathing, buy a shampoo that is appropriate for the needs of your Labradoodle. Take into consideration their fur and skin when you are buying their bathing essentials.
Here are the top 10 best shampoo for Labradoodles to help you choose an appropriate shampoo for your dog.
Also, brush the coat of your Labradoodle before you get them wet. Labradoodles are prone to matting, hence bathing them without brushing would only worsen the mats.
Next, you have to test the water in the bathtub before bathing your Labradoodle. You can use a handheld showerhead to wet them completely. Make sure that even the hair underneath is wet.
A dime- or quarter-sized shampoo is enough for your Labradoodle. Rinse the shampoo thoroughly because unwashed shampoo can become itchy.
Avoid getting water inside their ears because their floppy ears make them prone to chronic ear infections. You can also use cotton balls or swabs to dry the ear canal.
Lastly, dry them off with towels then allow them to air-dry. Afterwards, brush their coat.
Brushing And Combing
Labradoodles should be brushed daily or every other day.
This is needed to prevent knots, tangles or mats.
Considering how active Labradoodles are, their playtime outside would definitely result in them having dirt on their fur. You would need to brush that dirt off.
It’s better to brush them daily than deal with matting, after all.
If you have trouble with your Labradoodle’s coat because of tangles, remember to start from the bottom and move your way to the top of their body.
Gently pick the tangles with a comb or a pin brush without ripping out hair. Be gentle when you do this, you wouldn’t want to hurt your dog.
You need a high quality slicker brush and a comb. The kind of brush also depends on your Labradoodle’s needs.
If your dog has long hair, the brush should have long bristles. For short-haired Labradoodles, short bristles would be perfect. Always consider your Labradoodle’s hair length and texture when you choose a brush.
Haircut
Typically, Labradoodles’ coats should be cut every 6 to 8 weeks. Exactly how often depends on your preference regarding their appearance and their coat type.
Some would consider grooming their Labradoodle when they can’t see their dog’s eyes anymore. Some decide it’s time for grooming when their Labradoodle looks shaggy already.
Your Labradoodle shouldn’t have hair hanging or restricting its vision, or growing up to its eyes from the bridge of its nose. You can use blunt-tipped scissors to trim the hair over the bridge of the nose and in between the eyes.
Your Labradoodle’s hair on their ears should not be longer than ½ to 1 inch below the ear leather. Any longer would be prone to matting.
Do not let hair hang over their paws because it makes it hard for them to walk. You can trim them in a nicely-rounded shape.
Clip the hair in between the pads of their paws. The hair on their muzzles shouldn’t be longer than 1 inch below the jawline because it results in beards that drip with water every time they drink.
The hair on their tails should not be longer than 2 to 3 inches so that it isn’t hanging. This also prevents matting.
Nail Trimming
Nails should be clipped every 4 to 6 weeks. It also depends on the activity of your Labradoodle.
Not spending much time outdoors may mean that the nails get worn down less often. You can go to a groomer to have them take care of it.
It’s important to keep your Labradoodle’s nails trimmed because overgrown nails can lead to improper foot placement. This affects your dog’s movement. If left unchecked, this may lead to arthritis.
Another reason for trimming your Labradoodle’s nails is that nails grow into a curled shape and become embedded into the soft tissue of their pad. This is painful and may lead to infection.
These can be prevented through a nail trimming schedule with your groomer. Take into account your dog’s activities when you set the schedule.
If the nails are already overgrown, it’s complicated to have them trimmed. It’s because the quick, which provides blood and contains nerves, enlarges along with the nail.
The nails can only be trimmed as far back as the quick will allow, but it is sometimes still too long to be healthy. Hence, you should pay attention to your dog’s nails.
Ear Cleaning
Typically, a gentle and non-invasive ear cleaning every 2 to 3 weeks would suffice.
It also depends on how often your Labradoodles are bathed or how often they swim (if they do). Their anatomy also matters.
The more your Labradoodle resembles a Poodle’s anatomy, the more you need to educate yourself on how to clean the ears.
Labradoodles have long ears that trap moisture, so checking their ears should be done regularly. You can easily assess this by gently massaging their ears.
If they pull away when you massage their ears, this may be a signal that their ears are sore, especially when they usually enjoy ear massages.
You should also be familiar with what a clean ear looks like (pink and odorless) and what they smell like (not stinky).
If their ears look dirty, gently rub the inside of the ear flap and folds using a cotton ball and an ear solution.
You have to be mindful of over-cleaning. It may do more damage and lead to infection and irritation. Also, never push anything down in their ears!
Tooth Brushing
Tooth brushing should be done as often as grooming. Lack of proper dental care causes tartar build-up which leads to swollen and inflamed gums.
They may also lead to dental infections that can result in serious health issues like heart and kidney diseases.
For puppies between one to three years old, tooth brushing should be done at least once a week. Although, doing it more often than once would make them more comfortable with it, which is beneficial for you and your dog. There wouldn’t be any resistance when you brush their teeth more times as they grow older.
As for Labradoodles over three years old, tooth brushing should be done at least three times a week.
Make sure to buy a toothbrush that is specifically for dogs. Canine toothbrushes usually have long handles. This allows you to reach their back teeth.
The toothpaste you use for your Labradoodle should also be specifically made for dogs.
Dental care isn’t limited to toothbrushes and toothpaste. Rubber chew toys, chew treats, and crunchy food can also help by keeping your dogs engaged.
Frequently Asked Questions
We got the grooming down, from bathing to nail trimming and tooth brushing. Here are other frequently asked questions and the answers of Labradoodle owners.
How Much Does It Cost To Groom A Labradoodle?
Having your Labradoodle professionally groomed may cost you between $45 to $75. It also depends on what you want to have done. Some groomers may even charge over $100.
You can groom your Labradoodles at home, too. But you can opt for a professional grooming service if you cannot keep your Labradoodle’s coat in good condition.
If you have trouble setting aside time to brush your dog’s coat then you should allot more budget to have them bathed and brushed.
Most professional groomers have the skills to groom a Labradoodle but it won’t hurt to make sure they do have experience before making an appointment.
The basic tools and supplies for your Labradoodle grooming needs are the following: slicker brush, nail clippers, blunt-tipped cutting shears, thinning shears, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, and ear cleaners.
Investing in some good quality tools for basic grooming would save you money over time.
When Should A Labradoodle Get Their First Haircut?
Most Labradoodle owners wait between 4 to 6 months to groom their Labradoodle puppy coat. This is due to the fact that puppy coats do not get matted and tangled as often as adult Labradoodles’ coats.
Also, this makes it easier for your Labradoodle puppies to get all the necessary vaccinations needed before you go to a groomer.
There are different haircuts to choose from if you’re thinking about giving your puppies a haircut! However, you need to consider their coat type and hair length.
To determine what coat type your Labradoodle puppy will grow into, look at the fur around the face and muzzle. Those with waves will likely have wavy/shaggy or curly coats.
Hope you enjoyed this post on how often Labradoodles should be groomed.
Drop any questions in the comment section below.
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Thanks for reading! You can get many more tips and tricks for your Labradoodles here.
