Doodle Grooming Styles & Tips

Got a fluffy Doodle who’s starting to look more like a walking cotton ball than a dog? You’re not alone. These adorable crossbreeds are basically fur magnets, and without regular grooming, they can quickly transform from “aww, so cute” to “is that a dog or a small sheep?”

The thing about Doodles is they inherit that gorgeous, low-shedding coat from their Poodle parent—but with great fluff comes great responsibility. Did you know that roughly 78% of Doodle owners underestimate how much grooming these pups actually need? We see it all the time at Hound Therapy: loving pet parents who thought they were getting a “low-maintenance” breed, only to discover their sweet pup needs professional attention every 6-8 weeks.

Different options for grooming Doodles

But here’s the good news—once you get the hang of it (or find the right groomer), keeping your Doodle looking fresh becomes way less overwhelming. Let’s dive into some popular styles that’ll have your pup looking like they just stepped off the cover of Dog Fancy magazine.

The Teddy Bear Look

This one’s basically what it sounds like—your dog becomes a life-sized stuffed animal. We keep the fur soft and fluffy all over, with no dramatic shaved areas. The face gets rounded out to enhance those sweet puppy eyes, and honestly? It’s impossible to look at a Teddy Bear cut without smiling.

Your pup ends up looking like they belong in a toy store window, which is exactly the point. We tried this cut on a client’s Goldendoodle last month, and the owner couldn’t stop taking pictures. Fair warning though—this style requires more maintenance between visits since all that fluff shows mats pretty quickly.

If you’re thinking about attempting this at home, proceed with caution. It looks simple, but getting that perfectly rounded, even teddy bear shape takes practice. And trust us, your dog’s ego might take a hit if the first few attempts look more “lopsided hamster” than “adorable teddy.”

The Poodle Look

For those who want to honor the Poodle side of the family tree. This distinguished look features an even, short shave across most of the body with longer, shaped hair on the ears. Think of it as the “business professional” of dog grooming styles.

The beauty of this cut lies in its clean lines and traditional elegance. Once we shave down the majority of the coat, we use thinning shears to perfect those crisp edges. Your pup will strut around like they own the place—and honestly, they should.

Here’s why busy pet parents love this style: minimal upkeep. No daily brushing marathons, no surprise mat discoveries, just a clean, regal-looking dog who’s ready for anything. Plus, it keeps your Doodle cool during those brutal Texas summers.

Lion Look

Okay, this one’s not for the faint of heart. We’re talking full-on Mufasa vibes here. The body gets shaved down completely, but we leave a glorious mane around the head and chest, plus a cute little puff at the end of the tail.

It’s definitely a conversation starter. One of our clients opted for this cut last summer, and their dog became the neighborhood celebrity. Kids would literally run up asking if they could pet “the lion dog.”

Fair warning: this cut requires some serious grooming skills to pull off correctly. Get it wrong, and your pup might look less “king of the jungle” and more “had an unfortunate encounter with a lawn mower.” But get it right? Pure magic.

The Puppy Cut

This is probably what you think of when someone mentions dog grooming. Everything gets trimmed to a uniform length—usually about an inch or two—creating that classic, well-groomed puppy look. It’s fresh, it’s clean, and it works on pretty much every Doodle.

DIY enthusiasts love this cut because it’s more forgiving than some of the fancier styles. If you’re just starting your at-home grooming journey, this is your training wheels cut. Even if it’s not perfect, it’ll still look intentional.

Professional groomers can knock this out pretty quickly too, which means less stress for anxious pups and faster turnaround times for busy families.

The Doodle Lamb Look

Picture longer, flowing hair on the body that blends seamlessly into even longer hair on the legs. It’s all about those smooth scissoring techniques that create a cohesive, elegant silhouette.

This cut gives your Doodle an almost ethereal, cloud-like appearance. We use careful scissoring to blend the body hair with the leg hair, creating those smooth transitions that make the cut look effortless (even though it definitely isn’t).

Big Paws (Custom)

Sometimes you just want to get weird with it, and that’s totally fine by us. We spotted this random style on Instagram and couldn’t resist sharing it. The concept? Shave everything except the paws and leave a little mustache situation happening on the face.

Does it look a bit like your dog’s wearing fuzzy slippers and sporting facial hair? Absolutely. Is it ridiculous and wonderful? Also absolutely. There are no hard rules in dog grooming, so if you want your pup to look like they’re channeling a 1970s detective, we’re here for it.

Tips On How To Groom A Doodle

If you decide to shave your Doodle down, it’s important to follow these tips:

i. Grooming the Face

Always, always start with the face. We shave down the muzzle area to create that clean, tapered look that makes those eyes pop. The areas around the mouth and near the eyes get special attention because—surprise!—that’s where mats love to hide.

Think of it like doing your own makeup routine. You start with the foundation (face grooming) before moving on to the details. Your Doodle’s face sets the tone for the entire cut.

ii. Dealing With Matted Hair

Let’s be honest: if you have a Doodle, you have mats. It’s basically a law of physics. The key is dealing with them safely. Small mats can usually be worked out with detachable clippers and some patience, but larger ones might need professional intervention.

Here’s what we’ve learned after years of mat battles: never try to shave through a mat that’s still attached to your dog. That’s a one-way ticket to accidentally nicking their skin, and nobody wants that drama.

iii. Grooming the Legs

Leg grooming is all about working your way up from the feet to the thighs. We always shave upward against the grain to catch any hidden mats and ensure an even cut.

Pro tip: those leg areas are where Doodles tend to get the most sensitive, so take your time and keep the mood calm. Maybe play some spa music—your dog might not appreciate classical, but it’ll help keep you relaxed.

iv. Shaving Down the Back and Belly of a Male Doodle

For male Doodles especially, we reverse our technique here and shave downward. It’s all about following the natural grain of the hair while being extra careful around, well, sensitive areas. This is definitely one of those “when in doubt, call a professional” zones.

v. Grooming the Paws

The paw styling is where you can really make a cut shine. Long, deliberate strokes around the paw pads create definition and give your pup that polished, intentional look. It’s the difference between “freshly groomed” and “professionally groomed.”

When To Groom Your Puppy And How Frequently Thereafter

Here’s the deal with Doodle grooming schedules: it depends on your dog’s specific coat type, but most need professional attention every 6-8 weeks. That’s not just us trying to drum up business—it’s reality.

If your Doodle’s undercoat doesn’t shed naturally, you’re looking at monthly touch-ups. If they do shed some undercoat, you might stretch it to every three months. But honestly? Don’t wait until fall to start a grooming routine. That’s how you end up with a matted mess that requires more drastic measures.

Did you know that regular grooming can actually extend your dog’s lifespan? It’s true—keeping their coat healthy prevents skin issues, reduces allergens, and makes it easier to spot potential health problems early.

Precautions You Should Take When Grooming Your Doodle

i. Getting Professional Help

Look, we love a good DIY project as much as the next person, but grooming inexperience can lead to real problems. If you’re not confident with clippers, scissors, or dealing with an anxious dog, there’s no shame in booking a professional appointment.

We’ve seen too many “oops” moments that could have been avoided. Your dog’s comfort and safety are worth more than saving a few bucks.

ii. Brushing Out Loose Hair

Before you even think about turning on those clippers, brush out all the loose hair. Seriously—this one step will save you so much frustration later. We also recommend clearing out any ear hair (there are special tools for this) and doing a thorough mat check.

That pre-grooming routine can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour depending on your dog’s coat condition, but it’s time well spent.

iii. Doing A Thorough De-Matting

You must do a thorough de-matting before shaving your Doodle down which can be done using a de-matting rake and can take anywhere from 10 minutes to up to an hour which isn’t that bad considering the overall process.

iv. Using The Right Tools and Equipment

Invest in quality equipment designed specifically for dogs. Human clippers aren’t going to cut it (pun intended). You’ll need a good slicker brush, an undercoat rake, proper dog clippers with breed-appropriate blades, and maybe a ear hair blower if your Doodle’s ears are particularly fluffy.

v. Groom Your Dog In A Calm Environment 

Your dog picks up on your energy, so if you’re stressed about grooming, they will be too. Create a calm environment—maybe put on some soft music, make sure the room is warm enough, and have some high-value treats ready for positive reinforcement.

We always tell our clients: grooming should never feel like a battle. If your dog is genuinely distressed, it’s okay to take a break and try again later.

vi. Combing Out Your Doodle’s Coat First

Before you start shaving your Doodle down, comb out his coat first so that any mats and tangles can be taken out which will help make the process smoother and more efficient.

At the end of the day, you must take these precautions into account when grooming your Doodle at home. There are lots of resources out there that can help you with how to groom your Doodle. It is recommended to do some research before getting started so that you know all about what you’re doing beforehand.

source https://www.houndtherapy.com/blog/doodle-grooming-styles-tips/