Fluffology: Redefining Modern Pet Grooming in North Hollywood
What does it take to grow a modern pet care brand in the bustling heart of North Hollywood? (Hint:...
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by MoeGo on Jul 12, 2026 7:07:55 AM
With their heart-melting looks and unwavering loyalty, Goldendoodles are the fluffy companions that have secured a spot in everyone's hearts (and Instagram feeds) in recent years. But as every dog groomer knows, maintaining a Doodle’s luscious coat can be a bit of a “ruff” time unless you know what you’re doing.
In this guide, we've rounded up the top Goldendoodle haircuts that will make them the envy of every dog in the park. Whether you're a professional groomer looking to spice up your Goldendoodle ‘dos or a dedicated paw-rent who wants to find the perfect style for your precious pup - this guide's got you covered. Plus, we've included a helpful grooming guide to answer common questions about Goldendoodle grooming and haircuts!
Learn about the haircuts:
- Puppy Cut
- Teddy Bear Cut (with diagram!)
- Poodle Cut
- Kennel Cut
- Lamb Cut
- Full Shave
Jump ahead to the grooming guide:
- How to Pick the Right Haircut
- How Often Should Doodles Be Groomed?
- Goldendoodle Grooming Challenges
- Tips for At-Home Grooming Between Cuts
6 Goldendoodle Haircuts to Try
Different Goldendoodle haircuts provide different benefits and each style has its unique charm. This article will explore the most popular Goldendoodle haircuts, including the Puppy Cut, TeddyBear Cut, Poodle Cut, Kennel Cut, Lamb Cut, and Full Shave.
Puppy Cut
This popular style has many nuanced interpretations but generally involves trimming your furry friend's coat to a consistent length all over. (Typically between half-to-three-quarters of an inch.)
The hair around the head will be trimmed as well, while the ears are trimmed short and feathered. For the final touches, the hair on the tail will be cut to a short or medium length, and the hair on the feet gets a round trim. It's a perfect choice for the fuss-free dog who still wants to look as cute as a button.
Teddy Bear Cut
If your customer asks for a Puppy Cut, it’s possible they mean a Teddy Bear Cut (or vice versa). The Puppy and Teddy Bear cuts are extremely similar with one key difference: the Teddy Bear Cut strives to create a rounded “teddy bear” like appearance in the face, legs, and body. We suggest using a reference photo to avoid confusion when pet parents ask for this cut or a Puppy cut.
Like the puppy cut, the Teddy Bear Cut generally involves cutting the hair at an even length all over the body. Around the face, though, the fur is shaped to look rounder. This can be achieved by thinking of the dog’s face, snout, and ears as circles, then trimming the body and legs to be as cylindrical as possible.
Poodle Cut
Poodles have a distinct aesthetic and Goldendoodles can achieve a similar look. To achieve the Poodle Cut, the face and feet are clipped clean, the head is trimmed into a round shape resembling a poodle's top knot. The ears are left long and a pom pom is created on the tail. The length of the body hair can be adjusted to suit one's preferences. This cut has a trendy look that showcases the classic Poodle style and pays homage to the “doodle” in Goldendoodle.
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Kennel Cut
The Kennel Cut is a good Goldendoodle haircut for pet parents who prefer a low maintenance grooming routine without a full shave. With this style, the hair is trimmed uniformly to a relatively short length throughout the body, including the head. This cut is particularly good for preventing matting and tangled hair.
While regular brushing is still necessary for any doodle, this style is an ideal choice to save time and effort for pet parents seeking to manage their dog's high maintenance coat.
Lamb Cut
When it comes to Goldendoodles, the lamb cut is a delightful grooming option that is cute and functional - although not as low maintenance as the kennel cut. With this style, the groomer keeps the legs longer than the body length.
This technique is used to create a well-balanced and rounded appearance. The length of the lamb cut can be customized according to the pet parent’s preference. However, the longer the cut, the more upkeep it will require. So, your Goldendoodle will need to visit the groomer more frequently for maintenance and you will need to brush it more often to avoid matting.
Full Shave
The Goldendoodle community has ongoing discussions about whether shaving is detrimental to their coat. However, it is generally safe to shave a Goldendoodle unless they are a puppy or possess a flat coat. Never shave a Doodle who is less than six months old.
Goldendoodle puppies have a thin, delicate puppy coat that will be replaced by their adult coat around six months of age. It is not appropriate to shave their puppy coat since doing so can result in permanent damage to their adult coat.
Additionally, it should be noted that a full shave is less of a Goldendoodle hairstyle and more of a necessity for dogs with severe matting or very tangled coats. It can also be a good option for the summer to prevent overheating. In other words, if pet parents don’t properly groom their doodles, shaving the fur down may be the best and most comfortable solution for the dog. That said, shaving should always be done by a professional groomer who can identify whether it’s necessary and safe to do so.
Goldendoodle Grooming Guide
In this guide, we’ll answer some common questions about Goldendoodle grooming and haircuts to help you keep your Dood’s coat looking its best. We’ll also provide some times on how you can create a more positive experience for your Doodle at the salon, how to pick the right haircut, and how to overcome some common Goldendoodle grooming challenges.
How to Choose the Right Haircut for a Goldendoodle
When it comes to selecting the ideal haircut for your Goldendoodle, it all depends on your preferences and what you think will be comfortable and convenient for your pet. Some factors that can help guide you include:
- Your lifestyle: Consider your daily routine and the activities that you do together with your Goldendoodle. This can help determine the best length of hair that may be easy to maintain and less prone to tangling.
- Maintenance Level: Some cuts require more upkeep than others. Choose a cut that is low maintenance if you’re unable (or simply don’t want to) groom your dog daily. Your groomer and your pup will thank you!
- Coat type: Goldendoodles have a range of coat types that require different trimming techniques. For instance, if your Goldendoodle has very curly hair, you may have to choose a trim that works for that specific coat type.
- Climate: The weather in your region can be another significant factor. For cooler regions, longer hair may be preferable for warmth, but in hot regions, you might want to consider a shorter haircut for cooling down.
Collaborating with professional groomers is also essential in deciding on the best trade-off between looks, comfort, and what's attainable for your Goldendoodle based on his hair type, desired length, and your lifestyle.
How Often Should Goldendoodles Be Groomed?
The frequency of grooming your Goldendoodle depends on your desired look for your pet. Generally speaking, you should take your doodle in for a professional grooming appointment every four to six weeks. Regular grooming helps to keep your Goldendoodle comfortable, healthy and looking great.
That said, taking your dog to the groomer every once in a while isn’t enough. Doodles require at-home brushing and maintenance too, since they have curly coats that are prone to matting.
Brushing should be carried out daily or a minimum of 3 to 4 times every week. For nail trimming, schedule to trim every week or every other week. Regular ear cleaning is necessary as well, if your dog swims or plays in water. (You can use a dog ear cleaner weekly to keep the ears clean.)
By maintaining your dog’s coat and hygiene between professional grooms, you’re more likely to get the haircut you want for your dog and avoid a necessary short cut or shave to remove matting.
Goldendoodle Grooming Challenges
Goldendoodle grooming can present challenges to groomers, often resulting from inadequate pet care provided by their owners. Common difficulties that arise include matting, anxiety, pent-up energy, lack of exercise, and poor training.
- Matted fur / poor coat maintenance - Matted fur frequently happens when pet owners don't groom their dogs at home, and the pet's hair gets severely tangled as a result. Attempting to comb the matted fur is a painful and unpleasant experience that should be avoided at all costs.
- Anxiety and energy - Pent-up energy and anxiety can arise when pet owners don't provide their dogs with enough exercise, making handling problematic during the grooming session.
- Poor training - Owners must also train their Goldendoodles effectively to prevent fussy behavior during grooming. Doodle breeds can be prone to manipulating their owners due to their pleasing personalities, but proper training can prevent potential issues.
- Owner expectations - Because Goldendoodles require maintenance between grooms, it may not be possible to achieve the look pet parents want if the dog is severely matted. Additionally, some Doodles may walk out of the salon with straight(er) hair than their owners are used to. This is okay! The hair will go back to being curly soon; it’s just part of the grooming process and happens when the coat is dried with a professional dog grooming dryer. You can spritz it with a bit of water to bring the curls back quickly.
How to Make Grooming Easier for Your Doodle (And Their Groomer)
It is important to give your Goldendoodle adequate exercise, including daily walks and outdoor playtime. Failure to meet their needs may lead to restlessness, anxiety, and destructive behavior during grooming.
A regular grooming schedule, exercise, and training, can help overcome these challenges and create a better grooming experience at the salon for your dog and the groomer.
Since Goldendoodles can be a handful, it’s important to always tip your groomer well when you take your dog to the salon for a professional cut. Especially if you know your pup tends to be on the energetic or anxious side.
Tips for At-Home Goldendoodle Grooming
Since Goldendoodles require lots of at-home grooming attention between professional visits, it’s important to make sure you understand how and when to brush and bathe your doodle. The good news is, unless you plan on attempting to cut your dog's hair yourself, you won't need professional dog clippers or expensive equipment to keep your pup's coat healthy between visits. Here are some tips to keep your fur baby looking (and feeling) their freshest between visits to the salon:
- Set a grooming schedule. Set aside specific days of the week to groom your doodle. Regular brushing is important, so making time for it and creating a routine will help you (and your pup) get used to the habit of regular brushing. This will help prevent mats from forming.
- Always brush before bathing. Because doodles are prone to matting, it’s important to brush their fur before it gets wet. If your pup’s coat has already begun to mat (even a little bit!) before bath time, moisture will only cause the mats to get well, more matted. A good brushing before bath time can prevent this.
- Use a slicker brush to remove tangles and mats easily and without damaging the coat. Slicker brushes work best because they are forgiving and gentle, but have a lot of pins for removing even the smallest tangles.
- Make brushing and grooming fun. If your dood has a lot of pent-up energy, they may not want to sit, stay, or even walk during grooming time. Create a positive association with brushing by doing it before walks (fun!) or giving treats afterward. This can also help your dood acclimate to grooming time at a professional salon as well.
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