If you’re thinking of getting a poodle cross dog (often commonly referred to as a doodle!), it’s a good idea to be aware of their special grooming and skin care requirements.

Here, we’ll answer some curly questions about doodle grooming.

1. How often should I groom my doodle?

Poodle cross dogs tend to have hair that grows constantly. This means they usually require a full groom (clip) every 6-8 weeks to keep them feeling comfortable. At this time, your doodle should also have its claws checked and trimmed if required.

In between grooms, it’s a good idea to brush your pet at least twice weekly to prevent matting, particularly focusing behind their ears, under their bellies, and at the back of their legs.

2. When should I get my doodle pup groomed for the first time?

Doodle pups usually have a “puppy coat”, which is softer and fluffier than adult doodle hair.

Puppies generally require their first groom by 5-6 months old. However, they should also receive a few partial clips before this to shorten the hair around their face (so it doesn’t grow over their eyes) and paws.

3. Do I need to pluck my doodle’s ears?

Plucking ear canal fur is uncomfortable and can cause irritation of the skin. Therefore, we recommend only plucking your doodle’s ears if the fur tends to become very thick and matted with wax, or if they suffer from recurrent ear problems.

4. What other special care might my doodle need?

As well as routine grooming, your doodle might require:

• Emptying of their anal glands – anal glands in dogs usually empty during defecation, but smaller breeds tend to be predisposed to blockage of their anal glands, which can result in painful infection.
• Monitoring for hot spots – these are localised areas of oozy skin inflammation, which are highly irritated and usually require veterinary treatment.

For more information on doodle care, consult our poodle-proficient team!