Seaspray Australian Labradoodles-- Doodle Info

FLEECE: The Fleece coat of an Australian Labradoodle hangs down in ‘tendrils’ loosely from the body of the dog. It will flow and ripple as the dog moves, which is the true test of the Fleece coat as opposed to the Wool coat. Some Fleece coats will become very curly once they have been cut with electric clippers. Therefore, I recommend only a scissor cut trim, if necessary, on a Fleece coat Australian Labradoodle. Fleece coats are extremely low to non-shedding.

Length is usually around 5 inches long. The Fleece coat texture should be light and silky quite similar to that of an Angora goat. Appearing "to contain a silky lanolin," the fleece coat can range from loosely waved giving an almost straight appearance to deeply waved.

WOOL: Coats are more dense to the touch, like a sheep's wool. The "Ideal" wool coat should hang in loose hollow spirals. Most wool coats are still exhibiting a good texture, but have the appearance of a "Spring” not a Spiral. The Australian labradoodle has a single coat. Both the Fleece and the wool coat should naturally grow in "staples" and be of a soft texture. The Wool coat of an Australian Labradoodle has curls which form a full circle and grow tighter as they lengthen. There is a definite texture to a wool coat. There is no ‘movement’ in this coat when the dog runs. Wool coats are usually non-shedding.

The "Ideal" Coat presentation should give the viewer the impression of a casual natural appearance. Scissoring along the top line, neckline under ears and around toes should be done without giving a manicured look. The trimmed coat should maintain a flowing natural wash and wear look at all times highlighting the staples and ringlets. Excessive groomed presentation is a fault.

A clipped wool coat and clipped fleece coat can ‘look’ similar, but the texture, and denseness plus the fact that there is no ‘movement’ in the wool coat, is the secret to telling the difference.

Here are my dogs, and two dogs of friends, to show you the different coat types:

Here are other examples of wavy fleece coats:

Here are other examples of curly fleece coats:

The chocolate curly fleece is unclipped, and the apricot/red curly fleece is clipped.

Here are other examples of wool coats:

This is an unclipped spiral wool coat:

This is a clipped spiral wool coat:

This is an unclipped sprung wool coat:

This is a clipped sprung wool coat:

1. Shedding and Allergies: There has been no definitive relationship established between shedding and allergy friendliness.

2. Some people are allergic to dog saliva. There is no documented difference between the saliva of the Labradoodle and any other dog breed. A Labradoodle is no more allergy friendly to a person allergic to dog saliva than is any other breed.

3. Coat types and Allergies. Labradoodles with hair textured coat are more likely to aggravate allergies than are Labradoodles with the Wool or true Fleece coat.

4. Fleece coats are very rare in early generation Labradoodles. It is not impossible to get an occasional Fleece coat in an early generation Labradoodle but it is extremely rare to do so.

5. Puppies which shed will also shed as adults. However many hair coat puppies that do not shed as a puppy can and do shed as adults.