Contrary to popular belief, low or non-shedding dogs (like Goldendoodles, Labradoodles, Bernedoodles, Sheepadoodles and so on!) require far more grooming than those who shed naturally. Non-shedding dogs still ‘molt’ or lose their hair, however they require regular grooming to remove this hair and to prevent matts and tangles. This matting is not always obvious until your doodle goes into the groomer for a thorough session, and knots are often discovered which are very uncomfortable for the dog and can cause a lot of frustration when the groomer has no choice but to totally shave off your doodle’s coat.
It is very important to brush your doodle daily, with the correct tools, down to the skin to avoid matting. “Puppy trims” are good options for Sheepadoodles, but they also require regular brushing between baths and haircuts. prepared to brush your doodle daily and have him professionally groomed every 6-8 weeks. We recommend using the following tools for the best results.
Slicker Brush
Slicker brushes have fine wire bristles and are useful for brushing out matted hair and tangles and get to the very base of the coat where most tangled occur. It’s important the pins are long enough to get through the whole coat.
Pin Brush
Pin brushes are great for daily doodle brushing because they work especially well in detangling medium to long and curly or woolly coat types. The Chris Christensen pin brush is the gold standard due to the long pins and high-quality materials.
Shampoo + Conditioner
We love this all-natural calming Shampoo from Burts Bees! It’s made with lavender and green tea and is a tearless formula that is totally pH balanced for sensitive skin.
Dog Dryer
The Shernpoo Dog Dryer has a 5* rating on Amazon and for good reason! If you are wanting to keep your doodle’s coat in top condition a dog dryer will be a lifesaver – cutting down the drying time by over 70%! Although not an inexpensive purchase, it will cut down your grooming costs dramatically – a worthy investment.
Nail Clippers
You should be cutting your dog’s nails weekly, in order to keep them in good shape. These Gonicc nail clippers are easy to use and have a safety plate to prevent cutting too close to the quick.
If you are feeling more ambitious, you could consider clipping and trimming your own doodle with the following tools.
Clippers
If you are wanting to groom your own doodle a pair of quality clippers are a must, and it’s worth investing in a good pair to avoid your doodle looking like he has had the doggy equivalent to the bowl cut! We love Osters – these are professional-grade, stay cool and are quiet.
Thinning Shears
The Gimars grooming kit has been designed with blunt tips for safety and to deliver a professional result. Thinning shears are the best way to blend the hair after clipping, or for keeping the coat neat in between groomings.
Grooming Table
You may not have considered a grooming table, but if you are grooming your doodle regularly it may be a good investment! This Sundoo grooming table is hydraulic – meaning you won’t have to do any heavy lifting. It is non-slip and has several grooming arms to keep your doodle calm and still while he is being groomed.
