Doodles don't shed much, and that's exactly why they mat. The loose hair a Lab would drop on your couch gets trapped in a curly or wavy coat, twists around the live hair and turns into tight knots close to the skin. A quick brush over the top won't stop it, because the top can look fluffy while felted mats grow underneath. The fix is a technique groomers call line brushing. Here's how to do it step by step on a Goldendoodle, Labradoodle, Bernedoodle or any doodle, which tools you need, how often to brush, and what to do when you find a mat.
Get a brushing routine made for your doodle's coat in the free 1-min quizStart the Pawfile quiz →- Tools: a slicker brush, a metal comb with wide and fine teeth, and a detangling spray or plain water.
- Technique: line brushing, one thin row at a time, all the way down to the skin.
- How often: 3 to 4 times a week for short cuts, daily for long or fluffy coats and during the puppy coat change.
- The test: a metal comb should glide from skin to tip everywhere.
- Never: de-shedding blades on a doodle coat, or scissors on a mat.
Why doodles mat so easily
Most Goldendoodles, Labradoodles and Bernedoodles inherit some or all of the Poodle coat: hair that keeps growing and holds on to the hair it sheds. Friction makes it worse, so mats start where something rubs: the collar or harness, behind the ears, the armpits, the belly and the back of the legs. Water makes it worse too. A coat that gets wet and isn't brushed and dried properly tightens into mats fast, which is why swimmers and beach dogs need extra brushing. Not sure which doodle coat you have (curly, wavy or straight)? Our guide to dog coat types explains the differences.
The tools you need
- Slicker brush. Fine, bent pins that reach into the coat and lift out loose hair and small tangles. This is your main tool. Use light pressure: pressing hard can scratch the skin.
- Metal comb. The tool that tells you the truth. After brushing, the comb finds the tangles the brush skipped. One with wide teeth on one end and fine teeth on the other works for the body and the face.
- Detangling spray or water. Brushing a bone-dry curly coat breaks the hair. A light mist first makes the brush glide.
- Skip: de-shedding blades and undercoat tools made for double coats. They cut and damage curly hair. For more on brush types, see the best brush for your dog.
Doodle brushing tools from the Pawradise shop: Self-cleaning slicker brush · Stainless steel comb set · Lick mat for brushing time
Mango's guides: a happy coat between grooms
Printable PDF guides from our groomers, with Mango as your coach. Instant download after checkout, anywhere in the US. English and Spanish editions included.
- Mango's Between-Visits Brushing Guide · $14.99
- Mango's Goldendoodle Complete Kit · $29.99 (all 3 guides)
- Mango's Starter Kit: Brushing Guide + Calendar · $19.99 (best value)
How to line brush a doodle, step by step
- Start where mats hide. Begin at a back leg, close to the paw. Starting low means you work up the dog in an organized way and don't skip patches.
- Make a part. With one hand, hold the coat up so you can see a thin line of skin.
- Brush the row below the part. Brush that thin row down and out, starting at the skin and moving to the tips, in short, light strokes. Let the pins do the work.
- Move the part up a little and repeat. Drop a new thin layer of hair down from your hand and brush it the same way. Keep going row by row up the leg, then the side, the chest and the back.
- Comb the same area. When a section is done, run the metal comb through it from skin to tip. If it snags, go back with the brush on that spot.
- Finish the hard spots. Ears (inside edge and underneath), the collar line, armpits, belly, tail, the "pants" on the back legs and between the toes. Brush the face and around the eyes gently with the fine end of the comb.
The first full session on a fluffy doodle can take 30 minutes or more. Once the coat is free of tangles, 10 to 15 minutes a few times a week usually keeps it that way. If your dog gets restless, do one leg or one side per session.
How often to brush a doodle
- Short cut (about half an inch to an inch, like a puppy cut): 2 to 3 times a week.
- Medium teddy bear cut: 3 to 4 times a week.
- Long or fluffy coat: every day, or close to it.
- After a bath, a swim or the beach: brush and dry fully the same day. Damp curls that dry on their own mat quickly.
Your brushing routine and your groomer schedule work together: the longer you want the coat, the more often you brush and the more often it needs a professional groom. See how often a dog should be groomed and doodle haircut styles to pick a length you can keep up with.
The puppy coat change: the hardest months
Somewhere between about 6 and 12 months, many doodles start growing their adult coat. The soft puppy hair and the new adult hair tangle together, and a coat that was easy can mat almost overnight. During these months, brush every day, keep sessions short and positive, and consider a shorter cut until the adult coat settles. Our puppy's first grooming guide covers how to get a young dog comfortable with the brush, the dryer and the groomer.
Found a mat? What to do
Small tangles can be worked out: spray them, hold the hair at the base so you don't pull the skin, and pick at the edge with your fingers or the end of the comb, then brush. Never cut a mat out with scissors at home. Mats sit right against the skin, and it's very easy to cut your dog. If the mats are tight, close to the skin or all over the body, stop and call a groomer. Brushing out a heavily matted coat hurts, and the kind choice is often a short shave-down so the coat can start fresh. Our guide on how to get mats out of dog hair goes into more detail.
If your doodle hates being brushed
A lot of brushing fights come from a brush that pulls on tangles. Detangle gently, use light pressure, and keep the first sessions to a few minutes with treats. A lick mat with a little dog-safe spread on the floor or wall keeps many dogs busy while you work. More ideas in my dog hates being groomed.
Get a brushing routine made for your doodle's coat in the free 1-min quizStart the Pawfile quiz →Doodle brushing FAQ
What is the best brush for a doodle?
A slicker brush plus a metal comb. The slicker lifts loose hair and small tangles, and the comb checks that you reached the skin. Avoid de-shedding blades, which damage curly hair.
How often should I brush my Goldendoodle?
At least 3 to 4 times a week for a short or medium cut, and daily for a long coat, after swimming and during the puppy coat change (often between about 6 and 12 months).
Why does my doodle still get mats when I brush?
Usually because the brush only reaches the top of the coat. Line brush in thin rows down to the skin, focus on the ears, armpits, collar area and legs, and check every area with a metal comb afterward.
Should I brush my doodle wet or dry?
Neither soaking wet nor bone dry. Lightly mist the coat with water or a detangling spray, then brush. After a bath, dry the coat fully while brushing, because curls that air-dry tend to mat.
Is it OK to shave a matted doodle?
Yes. Unlike double-coated breeds, a doodle's curly or wavy coat grows back. When the coat is badly matted, a short shave-down is usually kinder than hours of painful brushing.
Does a groomer brush out my doodle?
Yes, a professional groom includes brushing out the coat, but what keeps a doodle mat-free is brushing at home between visits. Every Pawradise bath and groom also includes teeth brushing and a nail trim. See what affects the price of a groom. New to our Boca Raton salon? Get $10 off your first groom with code PAWFILE10.
This guide is general grooming information, not veterinary advice. If you notice redness, sores, hot spots or pain on the skin, talk to your veterinarian. More Pawfile guides.