Goldendoodle Haircut Styles and How to Keep Each One Tidy

A Goldendoodle coat grows all year and never really stops. That is why the haircut you pick matters so much. The right Goldendoodle haircut keeps your dog cool, comfortable and easy to brush.

Austin summers are long and hot, and a thick doodle coat holds that heat. Below are the most common styles. For each one, we cover how it looks and how to keep it tidy.

Know Your Doodle's Coat Type First

Goldendoodles can have curly, wavy or straight coats. Curly coats look the most like a Poodle and mat the fastest. Wavy coats sit in the middle and hold a fluffy shape well. Straight coats look closer to a Golden Retriever and tangle less.

Your groomer will shape the cut around the coat your dog has. A teddy bear face looks different on a curly coat than on a straight one. Knowing the coat type helps you pick a style you will actually like.

Goldendoodle Puppy Cut

The puppy cut trims the coat to one even length all over. A common length is one to two inches on the body. The face, ears and tail are shaped to match.

It is the easiest style to live with. It dries faster than a long coat and is simple to brush. It works well all year in Austin.

Brush it two or three times a week to keep it tidy. Pay extra attention behind the ears and under the collar.

Short Summer Cut for Goldendoodles

A summer cut takes the body down to around half an inch. The head and tail can stay a little fuller. It makes sense from late spring through September, when Austin is at its hottest.

Ask your groomer to keep a little length on the body. Skin shaved bare can sunburn and scrape easily. This cut needs the least brushing, and once or twice a week is usually enough.

Goldendoodle Lamb Cut

The lamb cut keeps the body short and leaves the legs fuller. The legs end up looking like soft columns. The head is usually rounded to match.

It looks polished and keeps the back and belly cool. The fuller legs take the most care. Grass burrs are common in Central Texas yards, and they cling to leg hair. Comb the legs after walks to catch them early.

Goldendoodle Teddy Bear Cut

The teddy bear cut is the classic doodle look. The body is trimmed short to medium. The face is left full and round, with a soft muzzle and rounded ears.

The face is the part to watch. A full muzzle collects water, food and drool. Comb the face daily. Towel the beard dry if it stays wet after meals.

Clean Face or Poodle Face Cut

A clean face cut clips the muzzle and cheeks short, like a Poodle. The top of the head and the ears can stay fluffy. Some owners pair it with clipped feet too.

It is a practical choice for dogs with tear stains or messy beards. The face stays clean and dries fast. The look is quite different from a teddy bear face. If you miss the fuller face, it grows back.

Golden Retriever Style Cut

Wavy and straight coated doodles can wear a retriever style cut. The coat is left longer and trimmed to look natural. The feathering on the legs, chest and tail is tidied but not cut short.

This style needs the most brushing. Plan on brushing most days, all the way to the skin. It holds more heat, so it suits the cooler months better than August.

Goldendoodle Shave Down

A shave down clips the whole coat very short. It is the fix when a coat is too matted to brush out. Mats pull on the skin. Brushing out a badly matted coat hurts the dog.

A shave down is a reset, and the coat grows back. Keep your dog out of strong sun for a week or two after. Then pick a style you can keep up with at home.

How Often to Book a Goldendoodle Haircut

Most Goldendoodles need a full groom every four to eight weeks. Shorter cuts can go longer between visits. Fuller styles like the teddy bear need a trim about every four to six weeks.

A bath and brush between haircuts helps too. It keeps the coat clean and brushes out tangles before they turn into mats.

Starting with a doodle puppy? Our puppy first groom is a gentle introduction for puppies 8 weeks and up. It gets them used to the bath, the dryer and a light trim.

How to Keep Any Doodle Cut Tidy

Brush in small sections, all the way down to the skin. A slicker brush does most of the work. Follow with a metal comb to find tangles the brush missed.

Dry the coat fully after baths, rain and swims. A damp doodle coat mats fast, especially under a harness or collar. If your dog swims in a creek or lake, dry the coat the same day.

Check the spots that mat first. These are the places where the coat rubs or stays damp.

• Behind the ears
• Under the collar and harness
• In the armpits
• Between the back legs

Keep the ears clean and dry too. Doodles have floppy, hairy ears that trap moisture. Ask your vet if your dog gets ear infections often.

What to Tell Your Groomer

Bring a photo of the cut you want. Names like "teddy bear" mean slightly different things to different groomers. A photo takes the guessing out of it.

Tell your groomer how often you brush at home. Be honest, since a long style only works if you keep up with it. Mention any skin issues or mats you have noticed too.

Book a Goldendoodle Haircut in Austin

We groom doodles in their own driveways across the Austin area. That includes Bee Cave and Liberty Hill, plus the rest of our service area.

Call us or use the booking form on this page. Tell us your dog's coat type, size and the style you like. We will help you pick a cut that fits Austin weather.