Goldendoodle Coat Types, Explained

One of the first questions most families ask us is simple: what will my Goldendoodle's coat actually look like? The answer matters — coat type shapes daily brushing, grooming schedule, and how much hair a dog releases around the house.

Goldendoodles have three main coat types: straight (smooth), wavy, and curly. Below is a clear, honest breakdown of each — the look, the feel, the shedding, and which families each coat tends to suit best.

Fur vs. hair

Do Goldendoodles have fur or hair?

Hair and fur are the same keratin structure — the meaningful difference is the growth cycle. Depending on genetics, many Goldendoodles carry a longer growth-cycle coat that keeps growing rather than cycling out seasonally like the double coat of a Golden Retriever, so less hair is released around the house. Coat and shedding traits still vary by individual dog, and wavy and curly coats tend to hold shed hair in the coat until it is brushed out.

Common questions

Goldendoodle coat questions, answered.

What are the three Goldendoodle coat types?

Goldendoodles come in three main coat types: straight (smooth), wavy, and curly. Wavy is the most common and the classic 'teddy bear' look. Curly is the least likely to shed. Straight is the rarest and sheds the most.

Do Goldendoodles have fur or hair?

Hair and fur are the same keratin structure, so the real difference is the growth cycle. Depending on genetics, many Goldendoodles have a longer growth-cycle coat that keeps growing and releases less hair than the seasonal double coat of a Golden Retriever. Shedding still varies by individual dog.

Do Goldendoodles have a double coat?

Most Goldendoodles do not have a true double coat. Golden Retrievers have a double coat (a soft undercoat plus a longer outer coat), while Poodles have a single hair coat. Goldendoodles typically inherit the single hair coat, which is why they shed so much less than a Golden Retriever.

Wavy vs curly Goldendoodle coat — which is better?

It depends on the family. A wavy coat is softer to the touch, easier to maintain, and gives the classic teddy bear look. A curly coat tends to release the least hair and is the coat families ask about most, but it requires more frequent brushing to prevent matting.

Which Goldendoodle coat is best for allergies?

Curly coats tend to release the least hair, which is why families ask about them most. F1B, F1BB, and Multigenerational Goldendoodles are the most likely to have consistently curly coats. No dog is hypoallergenic — allergens come from dander, saliva, and urine, and individual reactions vary — so we breed for coat predictability and encourage families with significant allergies to speak with an allergist and spend time around a similar adult dog.

Can you tell a Goldendoodle puppy's adult coat?

Coat outcomes become clearer between 8 and 16 weeks, and Embark DNA testing on the parent dogs gives us a strong prediction before puppies are even born. We share our best assessment of each puppy's expected adult coat with reserving families.