Planning to Adopt a Flat Coat Goldendoodle? 5 Things You Need to Know

Whether you are planning to adopt a Goldendoodle or already have one in your home, you must be curious about shedding. You might wonder if they are hypoallergenic.

You may be aware of curly and wavy coats of this breed, but have you heard about flat coats or straight-hair Goldendoodles? The golden retriever and standard poodle crossbreed provides a great designer breed that looks like a bear.

However, several coats, including straight or flat, can be observed in Goldendoodles. 

This article is all about planning to adopt a flat coat Goldendoodle. We’ll let you know everything about this crossbreed.

Why Do Some Goldendoodles Have a Flat Coat?

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The Goldendoodle breed is generally known for its curly and wavy hair. It can be pretty surprising to discover a Goldendoodle with a flat coat. You can click here to get answers to common questions about flat coat Goldendoodles.

A straight hair Goldendoodle is more like a golden retriever with a beard, mustache, and a typical Goldendoodle look. But what are the situations where a Goldendoodle gets a flat coat? 

Let’s find out.

Generations

Let us tell you how a puppy’s coat type is determined. In the case of F1 or first-generation Goldendoodle puppies, one purebred golden retriever parent and one purebred poodle parent are bred together. Therefore, puppies inherit 50 percent of their genetic composition from each parent.

As a result, while some F1 Goldendoodles may get the curly coat of the poodle parent, others may have a flat, straight coat resembling a golden retriever. 

If the dogs are 2nd generation or F2 Goldendoodles, there are also substantial chances of acquiring straight hair or a flat coat. 

The thing is simple; if you want a flat coat, you’ll need more genes from a golden retriever. You can also try to find a breeder who backcrosses Goldendoodles with golden retrievers, which is rare.

Genetics

Despite having the qualities of both golden retrievers and poodles, no two Goldendoodle puppies will grow up with the same traits. This is because each puppy will inherit the dominant gene of the parent that gets imprinted into their DNA. 

So depending on whose parent’s genes are dominant in each youngster, even pups from the same litter can have very distinct appearances. The curliness of your dog’s hair is determined by a gene called Cu locus (also known as the curly coat gene) in dogs. Standard poodles are usually the source of the Cu locus gene in Goldendoodles.

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Coat Changes

Goldendoodle puppies are also known for their coat changes. At five to seven months, they often begin to shed their coats and develop their adult coats. 

You may see changes in color fading at an early age. Even darker Goldendoodle puppies may lose some of their colors and become lighter as they age. And depending on the genes, a puppy will get flat or curly hair. 

Adult and puppy coats differ primarily in texture. An adult Goldendoodle’s coat frequently has a thicker and harder texture than a puppy’s, which is typically thinner and softer.

Are Flat-Coated Goldendoodles Rare or Common?

It is impractical for poodle parents to have only one copy of the “F” gene, so flat-coated Goldendoodles are infrequently observed in F1 or F1b Goldendoodle litters. 

In contrast, you can frequently see flat coats in F2 or F2b litters. Flat-coated doodles are less frequent because most Goldendoodle puppy buyers prefer the characteristic curly-coated doodle appearance.

It is quite possible that if you see an adult doodle with a flat coat, you might not even recognize it as a Goldendoodle. You may consider it a golden retriever because of its appearance. These are more uncommon types of Goldendoodle.

How Can I Tell If My Goldendoodle Will Have a Flat Coat?

When a Goldendoodle is younger, it can be challenging to predict what kind of coat it’ll have as an adult. Genetic testing is the only way to tell with 100 percent certainty which coat genes a pup has inherited.

Apart from that, there are a few signs you can check. Looking at the hair around their mouth is a great way to predict the coat your puppy will have in adulthood.

The last thing is to ask the breeder or kennel where you bought the puppy. The breeder will be the right person to advise about your puppy’s coat. 

  • Your puppy will have tightly curled hair around his mouth if he is likely to have a curly coat.
  • On the other hand, if a Goldendoodle’s hair is wavy around the mouth with loose curls, the dog will eventually have wavy hair.
  • Puppies with straight coats have short, straight hair around their mouths.

How Do Maintenance and Grooming Differ?

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There are many benefits to maintaining and grooming a flat coat Goldendoodle. Below we have enclosed the grooming difference between flap, curly, and wavy Goldendoodles.

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Wavy Coat

The most common and popular coat type in Goldendoodles is a shaggy and wavy coat. This coat has a fuzzy appearance and requires minor maintenance of all three types. You must frequently brush your furry companion to remove stray hairs and mats to keep its coat healthy and tangle-free. Such types of coats have low to no shedding.

Curly Coat

Your puppy will probably have a tight, curled coat if he generally resembles the poodle parent. Depending on the parents, the curls’ length and tightness can differ. As a result, you can have long barrel ringlets or tight, kinky poodle curls.

It would be best if you did regular grooming for Goldendoodle dogs to prevent their coat from matting. Pet owners generally shave and cut their dogs’ hair for a low-maintenance look.

Flat Coat 

Since the flat coat Goldendoodle doesn’t have curly or wavy hair, you are free from shaving and cutting. Though a flat coat is easy to maintain, it sheds more than usual. The upside of this is that you will save time and money on grooming and maintenance.

Furthermore, brush them a few times weekly to keep their coat beautiful. They don’t have hairy legs like curly and wavy Goldendoodles. You can best schedule a bath accordingly.

Downsides of a Flat Coat Goldendoodle

Though getting a flat coat Goldendoodle puppy has many benefits, it also has some downsides. 

Shedding

The main drawback of flat coat Goldendoodles is that they tend to shed more than curly and wavy Goldendoodles. This happens because the straight-haired Goldendoodle has a lower proportion of poodle DNA in its genetic makeup than the other two types.

However, one thing to note is that flat-coat Goldendoodles still shed less than purebred golden retrievers do. So if you are planning to buy a flat coat Goldendoodle puppy, be ready for lots of hair on your floors and beds.

It’s not hard to control your flat coat Goldendoodle’s shedding. You should set a regular brushing schedule, use the right kind of shampoo, give them balanced food, and utilize supplements as needed.

Less Hypoallergenic

Since flat coat Goldendoodles shed more, it goes without saying that they will be less hypoallergenic. The main reason is that they are more genetically similar to golden retrievers than poodles. 

A puppy is hypoallergenic if he has the qualities of a non-shedding and curly coat. Both are absent in flat coat Goldendoodles. For those allergic to animal fur, it’s not the hair that triggers a reaction. 

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The dander, a mixture of expelled skin cells and saliva, causes the allergy. Dogs that shed a lot of hair also tend to shed more dander.

5 Things You Need to Know About Flat Coat Goldendoodles

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Here are five things you must consider if you are planning to adopt a flat-coat Goldendoodle puppy:

  • Minimal Daily Grooming

Pet owners who own curly or wavy Goldendoodles must spend a lot of time, effort, and resources on grooming and maintenance. But in the case of flat or straight hair Goldendoodles, you don’t have to groom their hair. It is easily manageable.

  • Lower Cost

Most Goldendoodles with flat coats or straight hair come from the F2 and F1 lineages. Additionally, they frequently represent the most affordable generations. 

You can buy them at a lower price than curly and wavy Goldendoodles. You may occasionally overlook flat-coated puppies since many dog owners prefer allergy-friendly curly coats over flat coats.

  • Less Frequent Grooming

A Goldendoodle’s tendency to shed means that they won’t need to have haircuts as regularly. It does not tangle as easily as curly hair. 

Also, they are less prone to matting. You’ll be able to save some money by grooming them less frequently.

  • Low Litter Selection Competition

Most pet owners prefer curly and wavy coats, so it is an excellent option for you to pick a flat-coat Goldendoodle. 

They may be readily available at the kennels and breeders, so you don’t have to wait and can get a puppy instantly.

  • Great Health and Temperament

If you buy any puppy, ensure they are healthy and have a great temperament. Most breeders do a health and temperament test early to understand the puppy’s behavior.

Flat Goldendoodle puppies are considered healthy with a great temperament. You can even train them quickly. They are gentle, loyal, and understanding and make you smile with their funny actions. 

Conclusion

Flat coat Goldendoodle puppies can be excellent pets for homes. So if you are thinking of adopting a flat coat Goldendoodle puppy, we think it is a great decision. We hope this guide has helped you learn everything about flat coat Goldendoodles.

We have thoroughly discussed straight-hair Goldendoodles, including genetics, maintenance, grooming, and the downsides of the breed. 

We have also made things easy for you by providing information on the essential things you must look at before adopting a flat-coat Goldendoodle puppy.