Grooming Your Oodle: A FurBaby Guide for Cavoodle, Groodle & Spoodle Owners
Grooming Your Oodle: A FurBaby Guide for Cavoodle, Groodle & Spoodle Owners
If you live around Perth, you probably do not have to go far before you spot an Oodle.
Cavoodles, Groodles, Spoodles and all their adorable curly-coated cousins are everywhere, and honestly, we get it. They are cute, cuddly, full of personality and usually come with a coat that makes them look like a walking, fluffy teddy bear.
But behind all that fluff is a coat that needs a little bit of work.
And after grooming Oodles day in and day out at FurBaby, we can tell you one thing for sure: “They do not shed much” does not mean “they do not need much grooming!”
In fact, Oodle coats can be some of the trickiest to keep on top of.
Whether you have just brought home your first Cavoodle puppy or you have been living with your curly-coated best mate for years, here is what we would love every Oodle owner to know about keeping that gorgeous coat healthy, comfortable and manageable. So here is our practical guide to Oodle grooming in Perth.
So, what’s actually going on with an Oodle coat?
The first thing to know is that not all Oodle coats are the same.
Because Oodles are crossbreeds, their coats can vary quite a lot. You might have a soft, fluffy fleece coat, a dense woolly coat, loose curls, tight curls or even a combination of textures all on the one dog.
And that’s part of the fun of having an Oodle, you never quite know what coat you’re going to get!
But those soft, fluffy and curly coats can also be very good at holding onto loose hair.
Instead of that hair falling out all over your couch, carpet and black clothes, it can stay caught up in the coat. Then you add in everyday life, running around, rolling in the grass, sleeping, wearing a harness, getting wet, playing with other dogs and generally doing all the things dogs do, and those little tangles can start appearing. And they can appear fast.
What looks like a couple of tiny knots can very quickly turn into matting.
How often should my Oodle be groomed?
For most Oodles, we recommend coming in for a professional groom every 4 to 6 weeks.
Of course, every dog is different. Their coat type, the length you like to keep them, their lifestyle and how much brushing happens at home will all make a difference.
If you are after that gorgeous, fluffy teddy bear look, you will generally need to put a little more work into maintaining it. Longer hair simply gives those knots more opportunity to form.
And this is where we see owners get caught out.
You might think, “They are not that fluffy yet, I will give it another couple of weeks.”
Then another couple of weeks passes, and suddenly the coat has gone from a little fluffy to how did this happen?!
Regular grooming is not about making your dog look pretty just for the sake of it. It is about staying on top of the coat so it does not become uncomfortable, and so we can maintain the style you love.
What about brushing at home?
This is a big one.
Professional grooming is only part of the equation. What you do at home between appointments makes a huge difference to your dog’s coat.
For most Oodles, brushing several times a week is a good starting point, and dogs with longer or more challenging coats may need even more frequent brushing.
A slicker brush and a metal comb are two really useful tools to have at home.
The slicker brush helps work through the coat, while the comb is your little detective. It is how you check whether you have actually brushed all the way through to the skin.
And this is where we see a lot of people get caught out.
Your Oodle can look beautifully brushed on the outside while still having a sneaky little mat sitting underneath.
So do not just brush the fluffy top layer.
Part the coat and check that your comb can travel from the skin right through to the ends. If your comb gets stuck, you have found a spot that needs some attention.
The sneaky spots Oodle owners often miss
There are a few areas that seem to attract knots like a magnet. Make sure you are regularly checking:
- Behind the ears
- Under and around the collar
- The armpits
- The chest
- Around the legs
- Between the toes
- Around the bottom and sanitary area
Behind the ears and in the armpits are two of the big ones we see in the salon.
The hair in these areas is often softer and finer, and there is a lot of movement and friction happening there.
A quick brush over the top is not always going to do the job.
Take the time to gently work through these areas and check them with your comb. Your groomer, and more importantly your dog, will thank you for it!
But I want my Oodle to stay fluffy!
We know. We know.
The fluffy teddy bear look is very cute.
And there are lots of different ways we can style an Oodle, from a shorter, practical clip through to a longer, fluffy finish.
The trick is finding a style that works for your actual life.
If your dog loves running through the grass, swimming, going to daycare, rolling around in the dirt and generally finding every opportunity to get dirty, you might find a slightly shorter style much easier to maintain.
If you are happy to brush regularly and keep up with grooming appointments, you may be able to maintain a longer, fluffier coat.
There is no right or wrong answer.
We just want the haircut to work for both you and your dog.
When you come into FurBaby, our groomers can have a chat with you about the look you are after and take a good look at your dog’s individual coat. Sometimes what looks gorgeous in a photo is not necessarily the best option for a particular coat, and that is where having an experienced groomer can really help.
Let’s talk about matting
This is probably one of the biggest conversations we have with Oodle owners. And firstly, please do not feel embarrassed if your dog has some mats.
It happens! Life gets busy, coats grow and sometimes those sneaky little knots have been hiding where you cannot see them.
But once a knot turns into [tight matting](https://furbaby.com.au/matteddog/), things become a little different.
Matting can pull on the skin and become uncomfortable for your dog. It can also trap moisture, dirt and debris close to the skin.
And while we completely understand that nobody wants their fluffy Oodle to come out of the salon much shorter than expected, sometimes removing the matting is the kindest thing we can do.
Trying to brush out matting is not the better option. Pulling and tugging at tight mats can be painful and stressful for your dog.
So if we recommend going shorter, please know we are not trying to ruin your dog’s beautiful fluffy look. We are putting their comfort first.
The good news is that once the coat is back to a healthy, manageable length, we can start fresh and help you put a routine in place to keep it that way.
How can I stop my Oodle from getting matted?
The easiest way to deal with matting is to get ahead of it. Our top tips are:
- Keep up with professional grooming every 4 to 6 weeks
- Brush regularly at home
- Use a metal comb to make sure you are reaching right through the coat
- Pay extra attention to behind the ears, armpits and around collars
- Do not forget feet, between the toes and the sanitary area
- Check the coat after swimming, baths or getting wet
- Let your groomer know if you have noticed a particular area becoming difficult to manage
And here is one of our biggest tips: if you are struggling with your dog’s coat, talk to us!
You do not have to wait until the next appointment.
If there is a particular area you are having trouble brushing, or you are not sure whether you are doing it correctly, ask your groomer. We would much rather help you early than have your Oodle arrive a few weeks later with a coat full of uncomfortable mats.
Every Oodle is a little bit different
One of the things we love about grooming Oodles is that no two coats are quite the same.
Even two Cavoodles can have completely different coats. One might have a soft, relatively easy-to-maintain coat, while another has dense curls that seem to tangle if you look at them the wrong way!
That is why we do not believe in a one-size-fits-all grooming routine.
Your dog’s ideal grooming schedule, haircut and home-care routine should be based on their coat, their lifestyle and what you can realistically keep up with at home.
Our grooming team sees a lot of Oodles, so we are always happy to have a chat and give you practical advice about what is going to work for your dog.
Grooming your Oodle at FurBaby
Oodles are a very familiar face in our salon, and we genuinely love seeing them come through the door. We groom Oodles from Westminster, Balcatta, Osborne Park and right across Perth’s northern suburbs.
From the tiny Cavoodle puppy having their first ever groom to the seasoned Groodle who knows exactly where they are going when they walk through the salon door, we have seen just about every coat, curl and grooming situation you can imagine!
Our team will assess your dog’s coat, chat with you about the style you are after and let you know if there are any areas that need a little extra attention.
We are also big believers in gentle handling and taking the time to make dogs feel comfortable. Grooming should not be about rushing a dog through as quickly as possible, especially when they are nervous, young or not particularly keen on having their feet, face or sensitive areas handled.
And sometimes, the best groom is not necessarily the fluffiest one.
It is the one that leaves your dog comfortable, clean, happy and easy for you to maintain at home.
Ready for your Oodle’s next groom?
Whether your Cavoodle, Groodle, Spoodle or other Oodle mix is rocking the full teddy bear look or you’re ready for something a little shorter and easier to manage, we’re here to help.
Regular professional grooming, a good brushing routine at home and catching those little tangles before they become big ones can make a huge difference.
Because yes, those gorgeous Oodle curls are adorable.
But they’re also a bit of a commitment.
And we’re here to help you keep them looking gorgeous without letting the fluff become a full-time job. If your Oodle is due, book your Oodle in and we’ll take great care of them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should an Oodle be groomed?
Most Oodles do best with a professional groom every 4 to 6 weeks. The right schedule depends on the coat type, the length you like to keep, your dog’s lifestyle and how much brushing happens at home.
Why does my Oodle’s coat mat so easily?
Oodle coats are curly, fleecy or woolly, so instead of shedding loose hair they tend to hold onto it. That trapped hair, plus everyday movement and moisture, forms tangles quickly, especially behind the ears, in the armpits and around the collar.
How do I stop my Oodle from matting between grooms?
Brush several times a week with a slicker brush and a metal comb, checking that the comb reaches all the way to the skin, not just the fluffy top layer. Keep up regular grooming and pay extra attention to the sneaky spots.
Can a matted Oodle be brushed out?
Tight matting usually can’t be brushed out safely, as pulling at mats is painful for the dog. For their comfort, the coat is clipped shorter, and then you can start fresh with a good routine.
