Labradoodles are a popular choice among UK dog lovers thanks to their charming personalities, playful nature and hypoallergenic coats. Originating from Australia in the 1980s, the labradoodle was first bred as a cross between a Labrador retriever and a poodle in an effort to create an allergy and asthma-friendly guide dog. The result was a sociable, intelligent and low-shedding hybrid that quickly gained popularity both as a working dog and a much-loved family pet.
However, beneath that soft, cuddly exterior lies a high-maintenance coat that requires dedicated upkeep. In this blog, you'll find out why grooming your labradoodle at home is not only a great way to keep your dog looking their best, but is also essential for their comfort and wellbeing. With the right tools, positive early training and a little know-how, you can maintain your labradoodle’s coat between trips to the groomers or even complete a full groom and clip yourself!
Labradoodle Coat Types
As labradoodles are a mixed breed, their coat type can vary between individuals. Labradoodles typically have coats that fall into three categories, ranging from:
- Soft, wavy fleece coats.
- Wool coats that form in tight curls akin to the wool texture of a poodle.
- The 'hair coat' which is thicker and closer to the coarser texture of a pure Labrador
The first two types of coat are non-shedding and are great for allergy sufferers, but without routine care, they’re prone to tangles, mats, and general discomfort. These coat types are suitable for trimming into different styles. The third type is akin to a typical Labrador coat and sheds in the same way, being less suitable for owners with pet hair allergies. Hair coats may be best tidied with thinning scissors rather than clipping into different styles.
The Importance Of Grooming Your Labradoodle
Whichever type of coat your labradoodle has, they will need to be brushed regularly at home to prevent the hair from knotting. Without thorough brushing, the coat can quickly form mats, tight clumps of hair that pull on the skin causing pain, irritation, restricted movement, or even leading to skin infections. The most mat-prone areas in labradoodles are around the mouth, ears, under the armpits, legs and under the collar or harness where friction rubs and tangles the hair.
Labradoodles ideally need brushing every day or at least three to four times a week. Establishing a regular grooming routine not only helps to prevent matting, but also gives you the chance to check your dog’s skin and overall body condition for any signs of irritation, parasites, or other health concerns.
On top of frequent brushing, labradoodles with fleece or wool coats require clipping every 6-8 weeks to manage their continually growing hair. Regular visits to a professional groomer can get expensive, especially for a larger breed with such a demanding coat. Learning how to groom your labradoodle at home can save you money in the longer term. Even if you do decide to take your dog to a groomer, their coat will still need maintaining at home. Plus your groomer will always appreciate a mat free coat, saving them time and providing your dog with a comfortable groom and the best possible finish!
Positive Grooming for Labradoodle Puppies
Introducing grooming tools and positive handling experiences to your labradoodle puppy early on is key to building a lifelong, stress-free grooming routine. Here are some tips to help you get your puppy used to grooming:
- From 8–10 weeks old, begin brushing your puppy gently and get them used to being touched on their paws, ears and face.
- Short, frequent grooming sessions with plenty of praise and treats can help your labradoodle develop confidence and trust during grooming.
- Use soft brushes then gradually introduce a slicker brush and comb as their coat develops. Our Essentials Pet Grooming Set with a variety of brushes and combs is perfect for starting out on your grooming journey.
- Introduce your puppy to the sound and feel of the clippers early, even though clipping won’t be needed until their adult coat comes in at around 6–8 months of age. Our ultra quiet Showmate cordless dog trimmer is an ideal choice, with low-vibration that won't startle sensitive young dogs.
- Bull nosed safety scissors are ideal for beginner users and wriggly puppies. Their rounded tips mean you can safely trim hair around the eyes, ears and paws to keep them comfortable and tidy before their adult coat develops.
- Take your puppy to a grooming salon for a puppy groom. Even if you don’t plan on taking your dog for regular salon visits, a professional puppy groom can be a great way to socialise your pup and get them used to the sights, sounds and smells of a grooming environment and build their confidence.
You can find more tips on positive grooming training for puppies on our blog here.
Essential Grooming Tools For Labradoodles
Brushing is the most important part of your grooming routine. Aim to brush your labradoodle's coat daily or at least three to four times a week to keep them knot free. Here's what you'll need:
- Slicker Brush: Use a slicker first to brush through the entire coat. Slicker brushes have angled pins to reach deep into the hair to detangle right down to the skin and helps to spread the natural oils from the coat. A slicker brush is also a great tool for fluffing up the coat before clipping to give an even finish. Our flat head slicker brushes have pins that are fixed into a soft cushion to provide an even pressure and have coated tips to avoid scratching the skin - perfect for beginners.
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Combination Comb: After using the slicker brush, run a comb through the coat to check for any tangles you might have missed. Our durable combination comb features fine teeth for grooming delicate areas and finer hair, as well as wider teeth for tackling longer, thicker sections of the coat.
Brushing Technique: To brush your labradoodle thoroughly, always aim to reach right down to the skin, not just the top layer of hair. With one hand, gently push the hair above the area you're working on to help expose the coat at the roots. Then, using your brush, work from the skin outwards in the direction the hair grows. Brush in small sections, starting at the feet and moving up each leg, then continue to the body, head, face, and tail. Take your time and be sure to brush the entire coat, mats can form close to the skin and are often hidden beneath the surface.
Dealing With Mats:
If your find a small mat, use a de-matting comb and your fingers to gently tease them apart. Never use scissors to cut out mats—they can sit very close to the skin and it’s all too easy to cause a nick. Instead you can use a quiet dog trimmer or A5 dog clipper with a No. 10F blade to carefully and safely cut out mats that are close to the skin. If your dog is quite matted, it's best to seek help from a professional groomer.
Bathing Your Labradoodle
Your Labradoodle should be bathed every 4–6 weeks, or more often if they get especially dirty. However, try to avoid over-bathing, as this can strip the coat of its natural oils, which act as a protective barrier against dirt and helps keep the hair soft and healthy.
Always brush before and after the bath to remove tangles. Use lukewarm water and a gentle dog shampoo. We love the natural and chemical-free shampoo's by Wildwash with formulations suitable for extra sensitive skin and puppies, summer bathing with natural bug repellents, and extra cleansing for more adventurous hounds!
After bathing, use a towel to remove most of the moisture from hair, then use a hairdryer on a cool or low heat setting while brushing through the coat to dry right to the roots.
Top Tip: Always bath before clipping. Clean hair is easier to cut and helps to keep your clipper blades and grooming scissors sharper for longer, saving you money.
Clipping Your Labradoodle
Most labradoodles will need clipping every 6–8 weeks to keep their coat manageable. Labradoodles are usually clipped into styles similar to a poodle - either a short low maintenance style, teddy bear clip, lamb cut, kennel cut or longer plush styles. However there are no set rules for how a doodle must look and the groom depends on your preference for the finish you want to achieve. Here’s how to safely groom your labradoodle at home:
- Best Clippers for Labradoodles: Our professional A5 Labradoodle Dog Clipper Set comes with two skip tooth body clipping blades to give you a choice of clip lengths. If you're unsure which blade to choose, try the longest cutting blade first. You can always go shorter if needed! The shortest cutting 10F clipper blade is ideal for neat, detailed clipping of the more sensitive areas such as the paws, face and rear end. Want a longer plush look? Try our A5 comb guides. These combs simply snap over the 10 or 30 blade to give you a range of clip lengths from 3mm to 32mm!
- Clipping Prep: Gather all the tools you'll need to complete the groom and set up the grooming area in a quiet spot, when your dog is feeling calm and relaxed.
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How to Clip:
- After bathing and drying, brush out the coat thoroughly before clipping to ensure an even cut.
- Starting with the body, clip from the base of the neck and along the top of the back. Holding the clipper like a large pencil, keep the blade level with the skin and clip in the direction of hair growth to create a natural looking finish.
- Keep the skin taught and don't be afraid to pick up the legs to get a smooth clip.
- Using the No. 10 blade, clip the lower tummy and anal areas to maintain hygiene and trim the hair under the paws level with the pads to prevent dirt from accumulating.
You can find our dog grooming tutorial guides on our YouTube channel here.
TOPTIP: Frequently apply clipper oil to your clipper blades during clipping (every 3-5 minutes) to reduce friction and heat generation and keep your clipper working smoothly.
Using Grooming Scissors for a Polished Look
Grooming scissors are great for shaping the hair and providing the finishing touches. You’ll want a set that includes straight, curved, bull-nose safety scissors, and thinning shears depending on the look you want for your dog.
Areas to Trim:
- Face & Eyes: Trim carefully around the eyes using bull nose or thinning scissors to maintain visibility. The muzzle can be shaped using curved scissors to give a rounded shape and followed with thinning scissors to soften sharp lines. Watch Lauren Emily Dog Grooming use our thinning scissors below.
- Ears & Tail: As labradoodles have floppy ears, excess hair around he ears can reduce air circulation so keep the ears trimmed short and check the inside of the ear regularly. The long hair on the the underside of the tail can be tidied neatly using curved scissors the create a nice plume, with the hair at the base of the tail trimmed shorter for hygiene.
- Paws & Feet: Trim excess hair under the foot and between the pads using bull nose scissors. Avoid digging between the toes by gently pulling out the hair between them and trimming it level with the paw. For the feet, curved scissors can create a neat rounded foot. Don't forget to keep their nails trimmed too using suitable nail clippers.
Seasonal Grooming Tips
Spring/Summer: Keeping the coat in a shorter clip can help your labradoodle stay cool in the warmer temperatures of spring and summer. Be sure not to clip shorter than a No.1 comb attachment or a No.7 (3mm) clipper blade to retain enough coat coverage to protect the skin from the sun.
Autumn/Winter: As the weather turns colder, you might choose to let your Labradoodle’s coat grow a little longer to provide extra warmth. However, it’s still important to brush regularly, as damp and muddy walks can lead to mats if the coat isn’t well maintained. For active Labradoodles, a shorter cut can often be the more practical option, making washing and drying easier. If you do go for a shorter clip in winter, just make sure your dog wears a warm coat when out in colder conditions.
Tips for a Happy, Well-Groomed Labradoodle
Start positive grooming early and keep sessions short and fun.
Brush thoroughly a minimum of 3–4 times a week to prevent their coat from becoming knotted.
Clip every 6–8 weeks with a professional grade A5 clipper to manage coat length and hygiene.
Ask a professional groomer for advice if you’re unsure. Many are only too happy to help guide you through home maintenance.
With a bit of patience and the right tools, you’ll be able to keep your labradoodle looking and feeling their best. Grooming is a brilliant way to bond with your dog and keeping them healthy and happy.
Need personalised advice? Our friendly and knowledgeable team is always happy to help!
How much does is cost to groom a labradoodle?
For a professional labradoodle groom including a wash, clip and styling, the average cost is around £50-80 in the UK and needs to be carried out every 6-8 weeks to keep on top of your dog's coat. This is a very reasonable cost given the groomers expertise, time and running costs in a busy salon. However, over the lifetime of your pet, this cost can soon add up. In contrast, grooming your labradoodle yourself is much less. The cost of a Masterclip Labradoodle Clipper Set with 3 clipper blades starts at just £155.99 and with correct use and care can last for many years. Our A5 clipper blades are made from high quality steel and are readily re-sharpenable too! So why not give home grooming a try?
