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 most non-shedding and hypoallergenic. Straight is the rarest and sheds the most.

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 is the most non-shedding and the best choice for allergy-sensitive homes, but requires more frequent brushing to prevent matting.

Which Goldendoodle coat is best for allergies?

A curly coat Goldendoodle is the most allergy-friendly. F1B, F1BB, and Multigenerational Goldendoodles are the most likely to have consistently curly, non-shedding coats. At Kid's Best Doodle, we intentionally breed for coat predictability so allergy-sensitive families know what to expect.

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.

A Kid's Best Doodle Guide

Goldendoodle Coat Types, Explained

Straight, wavy, and curly — plus fur vs hair, double coat, and which Goldendoodle coat is best for allergy-sensitive families.

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, seasonal shedding, and how comfortable an allergy-sensitive person will be sharing a couch.

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.

The three coats

Straight, wavy, and curly Goldendoodles.

Straight (Smooth) Coat

Look: Sleek, flat, and closer to a Golden Retriever in appearance.
Feel: Soft and smooth to the touch.
Shedding: Moderate — this is the highest-shedding Goldendoodle coat.
Allergy fit: Least allergy-friendly. Usually not the right fit for sensitive households.
Grooming: Weekly brushing is enough. Very low grooming maintenance.

A straight, smooth coat Goldendoodle is uncommon and typically appears in some F1 litters. It looks like a Golden Retriever with slightly softer fur.

Wavy Coat

Look: The classic 'teddy bear' Goldendoodle — soft waves with body and movement.
Feel: Plush, cloud-like, and slightly loose.
Shedding: Low. Some seasonal shedding possible.
Allergy fit: Often works for mild allergies. Not the safest bet for highly sensitive families.
Grooming: Brush 2–3 times per week. Professional grooming every 8–10 weeks.

The most popular Goldendoodle coat and the look most families picture when they imagine a Goldendoodle puppy. Common in F1 and F1B generations.

Curly Coat

Look: Tight, structured curls closer to a Poodle in texture.
Feel: Dense, springy, and full.
Shedding: Non-shedding.
Allergy fit: The strongest fit for allergy-sensitive homes.
Grooming: Brush every 2–3 days to prevent matting. Professional grooming every 6–8 weeks.

Most predictable in F1B, F1BB, and Multigenerational Goldendoodles. The coat we specialize in for allergy-conscious families.

Fur vs. hair

Do Goldendoodles have fur or hair?

Goldendoodles have hair, not fur. Hair grows continuously — much like human hair — and sheds far less than the seasonal double-coat fur of a Golden Retriever. This is the reason well-bred Goldendoodles are considered non-shedding and hypoallergenic, especially in wavy and curly coats.

Most Goldendoodles do not have a true double coat. Golden Retrievers carry a soft undercoat plus a longer outer coat; Poodles carry a single hair coat. Goldendoodles typically inherit the single hair coat, which is why the daily reality of living with one feels so different from living with a Golden.

Our approach to coat

How we predict a puppy's adult coat.

Coat predictability is one of the reasons families choose Kid's Best Doodle. Every parent dog is Embark DNA-tested for 250+ genetic conditions and coat markers, so we know what each pairing is likely to produce before the litter is even born.

Between 8 and 16 weeks, a puppy's adult coat starts to reveal itself in real time. By the time we schedule a virtual visit via FaceTime or Zoom, we can share our honest assessment of each puppy's expected adult coat and answer the exact question every serious family is asking: will this puppy work for our household?

Compare F1, F1B & multigen →Explore coat colors →How we raise our puppies →

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 most non-shedding and hypoallergenic. Straight is the rarest and sheds the most.
Do Goldendoodles have fur or hair?: Goldendoodles have hair, not fur. Hair grows continuously and sheds far less than the double-coat fur of a Golden Retriever. That's why Goldendoodles are considered non-shedding and hypoallergenic — especially in wavy and curly-coated dogs.
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 is the most non-shedding and the best choice for allergy-sensitive homes, but requires more frequent brushing to prevent matting.
Which Goldendoodle coat is best for allergies?: A curly coat Goldendoodle is the most allergy-friendly. F1B, F1BB, and Multigenerational Goldendoodles are the most likely to have consistently curly, non-shedding coats. At Kid's Best Doodle, we intentionally breed for coat predictability so allergy-sensitive families know what to expect.
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.

Ready for the next step

Looking for a specific coat?

Tell us in your Good Dog application whether you're hoping for a wavy or curly coat and we'll help match you with the right upcoming puppy.

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