GROOMING YOUR AUSTRALIAN LABRADOODLE

Although you don’t need to worry about your Labradoodle shedding, he will still need regular brushing and grooming.  We brush our dogs every night before bedtime.  We have done that since we first brought them home and I think the routine is relaxing for them.

The Labradoodle’s coat grows rapidly and needs to be brushed to prevent tangling and matting.  Your dog will grow out of his puppy coat around 7- 14 months of age and you will definitely want to go to the groomer then. Or if you are so inclined, you can give it a try yourself!  For those that don’t feel that brave, click on the following from IDOG.biz. This came in quite handy at our first trip to the groomer.  After all, it’s true, “one picture is worth a thousand words!”  With respect to baths, we try to keep that to a minimum.

I had read and heard that  if a Labradoodle’s  coat gets dirty that you should first let it try and then the dirt will fall away, leaving it nice and pretty again.  I really didn’t believe this and had to see it for myself.  So the first time Sophie came in from playing outside in the wet grass and muddy flower beds, I didn’t panic.  I told the kids to take a look and we would just wait and see.  I wanted witnesses!  Sure enough, she dried and I brushed her feet and you couldn’t tell she had ever been dirty!

Again, I have read that the less you bath your Labradoodle, the cleaner she will remain on her own.  I don’t want to test that theory as I’m quite happy with the status quo.  I do bath her if she finds something really smelly to roll in!  And of course she gets the full works when she goes to the groomer, about 6 times a year.

When Sophie would go through a growth spurt, so would her coat!

But what a smile!  She is always so happy!