How to stop your Doodle’s coat from matting

Doodles are loved for their fluffy coats, but keeping that coat knot free can require more work than many new owners expect.

Cockapoos, Labradoodles and other Doodle crosses can have coats that vary considerably from dog to dog. Some are loose and wavy while others are much denser or curlier.

Whatever your Doodle’s individual coat is like, allowing small tangles to remain can eventually lead to matting.

Why do Doodle coats get matted?

Matting develops when hairs tangle together and tighten.

Friction areas can be particularly troublesome. Pay attention to places such as behind the ears, under the legs, around harness areas and anywhere the coat rubs as your dog moves.

Moisture can also make an already tangled coat harder to manage, so simply bathing a knotted dog at home will not necessarily solve the problem.

As the coat becomes longer, the amount of maintenance required usually increases.

Brushing the top isn’t enough

One of the most common coat care problems is brushing only the outer surface.

A coat can look fluffy on top while knots remain closer to the skin underneath.

Effective brushing needs to work through the coat methodically and use tools suited to your individual dog’s coat.

If you are unsure whether your technique is reaching through properly, ask Kirsty to show you what to look for. Grooming advice should make caring for your dog easier, not make you feel judged.

Choose a realistic coat length

There is nothing wrong with loving the longer, fluffy Doodle look, but it needs to fit realistically with the amount of maintenance you can provide.

A shorter, well maintained coat can be much more comfortable than a long coat that repeatedly becomes matted.

Think about your lifestyle too. If your dog loves wet, muddy walks and woodland adventures, that beautiful long coat may require considerably more work than social media photographs suggest.

The right hairstyle is the one that works for your dog and your household.

Keep professional grooming regular

Leaving too long between appointments can make coat maintenance increasingly difficult.

For many professionally groomed dogs, appointments somewhere around every four to eight weeks are common, although Kirsty will recommend a schedule based on the individual dog, coat and style.

If your Doodle repeatedly arrives with matting, it may be worth shortening the time between appointments.

Don’t cut tight knots out with scissors

Finding a stubborn knot and reaching for scissors can be tempting.

It can also be dangerous.

Dog skin can be pulled up into or very close to tight matting, making it difficult to see exactly where the skin ends and the knot begins.

If you find significant matting that you cannot safely brush out, speak to a professional groomer rather than trying to cut it away yourself.

What if my Doodle is already matted?

Do not be embarrassed about asking for help.

Kirsty will assess the coat and discuss the safest and most comfortable option for your dog.

Sometimes preserving a long hairstyle is simply not in the dog’s best interests. In those situations, comfort and skin health come before appearance.

Once the coat has been made comfortable again, you can work with Kirsty on a grooming and home care routine designed to reduce the chance of the same problem developing again.

If you would like to understand more about what happens when a dog is matted, we explain it in more detail in a separate guide.