When you think of a doodle breed dog, you automatically think of a curly hair teddy bear. Therefore it might come as a surprise to some to learn that Labradoodles can have straight coats.
A Labradoodle can have a straight coat when it gets more genetic traits from the Labrador parent. A Labradoodle that has a straight coat is most likely a first-generation F1 Labradoodle. An F1 Labradoodle is one that’s 50 percent Poodle and 50 percent Labrador Retriever.”
Many people want to know if Labradoodles can have straight hair or if they’re a hypoallergenic dog breed. Here’s what you need to know.
Labradoodle Coat Types
The coat of a Labradoodle puppy can vary. A new puppy may have one of three different coat types:
- Curly coat
- Straight coat
- Wavy coat
Curly coat Labradoodles
The curly coat is the most common Labradoodle puppy coat. A Labradoodle puppy with a curly coat likely won’t shed and is an excellent choice for a family that needs an allergy-friendly dog. The curly coat of a Labradoodle is often compared to lamb’s wool with dense, tight curls. These dogs have more characteristics of the Poodle with soft, non-shedding coats.
Straight haired Labradoodle
A Labradoodle with a straight coat will have the distinctive features of a Labrador. A straight coat Labradoodle has hair and fur. Hair and fur are essentially the same things. The reason that hair is used is when it describes the straight coat of some Labradoodles. Fur is used to describe the fleece and wool coat types. The reason the terms are used this way is that the straight coat Labradoodle has a straight hair coat texture very similar to human hair.
Wavy coat Labradoodles
A wavy coat Labradoodle is different from the straight hair variety because the coat resembles fleece. When the puppy reaches maturity the adult coat may look somewhat different. A Labradoodle puppy with a wavy coat may not be non-shedding. If anyone in your family has allergies you may want to consider a puppy with a single layer or curly coat.
Straight haired Labradoodle characteristics
Straight hair Labradoodles are usually found in 89 percent of first-generation Labradoodles of F1s. These dogs are 50 percent Labrador Retriever and 50 percent standard or miniature Poodle.
A Labrador Retriever and Poodle mix that’s a second-generation or F2 may have straight hair. The straight hair coat Labradoodle has a coat that’s similar to a Labrador Retriever. Other straight coat Labradoodles may have a scruffy coat with wavy hair.
Other straight coat Labradoodles have medium to long straight hair that covers their body and face. The straight hair Labradoodle may have straight hair or a wavy coat similar to a Labrador Retriever. The straight hair Labradoodle may have a coat texture that’s flat and matte or slick and glossy. The straight hair Labradoodle may have feathery-type straight hair around the face, legs, and around its tail.
Care and grooming of straight haired Labradoodles
Some Labradoodle owners may consider shaving their dog’s coat before summer if they live in a hot climate. Shaving the dog’s coat isn’t a good idea and wouldn’t be recommended by veterinarians. You may consider taking your dog to a professional groomer for a light trim rather than a shaved coat.
The Labradoodle’s fur coat protects them from dry skin or sunburn which could cause skin irritations and a trip to the vet. You may want to trim your dog’s eyebrows and the area around the muzzle to prevent clumping or matting.
The adult coat of a straight hair Labradoodle sheds more than dogs with curly or wavy coats. Even though some owners of straight hair dogs may be tempted to have their coat shaved for easier grooming, professional groomers don’t recommend it.
Labradoodles are going to shed, especially when the weather starts to get warm and your dog starts to shed its winter coat. The best solution is to brush your dog more frequently – ideally using a slicker brush. Brushing rids your dog of loose hair and most dogs love the pampering since it relaxes them.
To find out more about how to maintain your Labradoodle’s coat, check out our post on how to groom a Labradoodle.
Bathing your Labradoodle
How often you bathe your dog can be determined by a variety of factors. Your dog could have a medical condition that requires more frequent bathing. If you’ve been walking or playing with your dog in the yard, he may have rolled in something that requires a bath as soon as you go inside.
It’s best not to bathe your Labradoodle too frequently. Bathing too often can strip away natural oils strengthen hair follicles and protect the skin.
Skin conditions in Labradoodles
If your Labradoodle has a skin condition it can cause more dander to release into the air and cause more shedding.
Licking, biting, or scratching an area may indicate your dog has a skin condition that may require veterinary treatment. When you’re grooming your dog it’s a good idea to check for any skin conditions, even if it isn’t showing symptoms. Skin that’s torn or scratched, missing fur, inflamed, red skin, or dry, flaky skin are indications of a condition that may need treatment from a vet.
FAQs
Do Labradoodles always have curly coats?
A Labradoodle’s coat whether it’s straight, wavy, or curly is determined by the dog’s genetic makeup. The dog’s coat will be curly if two of the affected genes are inherited. If the affected genes aren’t present, the Labradoodle will have a straight coat.
Reputable Labradoodle breeders can tell what type of coat a puppy will have based on the hair around its muzzle. The gene that impacts whether a Labradoodle has a straight, curly, or wavy coat as an adult is KRT71. It all has to do with the production of a form of keratin and how it binds to the hair in a dog’s coat.
Are Labradoodles hypoallergenic?
The gorgeous Labradoodle coat is typically regarded as low shedding, due to the inherited Poodle gene. But is this breed a truly hypoallergenic dog?
Determining whether a Labradoodle is hypoallergenic is more complex than it may seem. Crossbreeding can be unpredictable and there is no guarantee that you will end up with a Labradoodle that is completely hypoallergenic. Some breeds will be better suited for individuals that suffer from allergies than others depending on Labradoodle shedding.
To find out more, please read our informative guide on are Labradoodles hypoallergenic
What kinds of coats can a Labradoodle have?
A Labradoodle can have a type of coat that may consist of straight to wavy hair. The three types of coat a Labradoodle may have are listed above but generally tend to be one of the following:
1. The hair coat which is straight. the coat resembles the coat of their Labrador Retriever parent. These dogs don’t have the same type of teddy bear appearance as other Labradoodles. The coat may not be as soft as other coat types and may require more grooming due to shedding.
2. The shaggy or fleece coat may range from slightly to very wavy. these dogs are perfect for families with allergies since they shed very little. Labradoodles with this type of coat require more grooming to keep their thick coat from getting matted or tangled.
3. The curly or wool coat Labradoodle has a coat with loose to tight curls and bears more resemblance to the Poodle parent. The coat is very soft to the touch. The curly-coated Labradoodle is more high maintenance and requires a brushing each day. However, they shed very little and are a wonderful addition to a family that has allergies.
Do Labradoodle puppies have straight hair?
Each newborn Labradoodle puppy has straight hair that’s very soft and fine. The straight coat is normal. As the puppy matures the coat may become more curly and thicker.
Labradoodles that have a straight coat are referred to as having a hair coat rather than a fleece or wool coat. Most Labradoodle breeders are adept at predicting what type of coat your puppy will have as it reaches maturity. However, it isn’t possible for a breeder to predict what type of coat a first-generation Labradoodle puppy will have before birth.
It’s a good idea for potential adopters to learn all they can about Labradoodle puppies. Most breeders will be able to determine the type of coat a puppy will have when it’s fully grown as early as eight or nine weeks.
Conclusion
It is really difficult to determine what coat type your Labradoodle will have – and a lot will depend on whether it is inherited the curly coat gene.
Another option when you want a Labradoodle as part of your family and want a dog with a specific type of coat is to adopt an older dog. Breed-specific rescues are happy to introduce you to their dogs that are looking for permanent homes.