9 Best Doodle Haircut Styles (With Pictures)

Last updated: May 30, 2026

TL;DR

Doodle haircut styles range from the low-maintenance Teddy Bear and Summer cuts to showy Lion, Mohawk, and Dino cuts. The right choice depends on coat type, climate, activity level, and how much brushing you can commit to. Between grooms, a Dood Woof detangling routine keeps any cut mat-free.

What are the most popular doodle haircut styles?

Most doodle cuts fall into a handful of recognizable styles. Knowing the names helps you tell a groomer exactly what you want at the next appointment.

Teddy bear cut

The teddy bear cut is the most popular doodle style. The body is trimmed to roughly 1 to 2 inches with the face kept slightly longer and rounded, giving that soft, plush look many owners love. It is a medium length that balances cuteness with easy upkeep.

Summer cut (kennel cut)

The summer or kennel cut trims the whole body short, often to about half an inch. It is the lowest-maintenance option and a favorite for active dogs in warm weather. Avoid shaving a doodle down to the skin, though: the American Kennel Club notes that the coat helps regulate temperature and shields skin from sun.

Puppy cut

The puppy cut gives a rounded, cuddly shape that keeps a doodle looking young. The hair is left an even, short-to-medium length all over, which is simple to maintain and forgiving between grooms.

Lion cut

The lion cut shaves or trims the body short while leaving longer hair around the neck, head, and tail tip to mimic a mane. It is a high-maintenance look, so plan on regular brushing with a slicker brush to keep the longer sections tangle-free.

Lamb cut

The lamb cut is a variation on the teddy bear. The body hair stays short, around half an inch to an inch, while the legs are left a little longer for a lamb-like silhouette, usually paired with shorter ears and a clean face.

Mohawk cut

The mohawk cut shaves the sides short and leaves a strip of longer hair along the back and head. It is a playful, eye-catching look for photos and special occasions, and it needs consistent grooming to hold its shape.

Full shave

A full shave takes the coat very short from head to tail. Owners choose it before surgery, to clear severe matting, or for the easiest at-home upkeep. Because shaving removes the coat's natural insulation, keep a closely shaved doodle out of direct heat and strong sun.

Poodle cut

The poodle cut nods to a doodle's Poodle roots, trimming the body short while leaving the face fuller for that classic, poofy outline. It reads as tidy and refined and needs regular shaping to stay crisp.

Dino cut

The dino cut shapes ridges along the back to resemble dinosaur scales. It is a creative, attention-grabbing style that calls for a skilled groomer and frequent maintenance to keep the spikes defined.

How do you choose the right doodle haircut?

The best cut fits your dog's coat and your daily routine, not just the photos you like. Weigh these factors:

• Coat type: curly, wavy, or straight coats hold styles differently, and curlier coats mat faster.
• Climate: shorter cuts suit hot regions, but the American Kennel Club cautions against shaving a protective coat to the skin. The skin and coat together form a protective barrier that also helps regulate body temperature, according to the Merck Veterinary Manual.
• Activity level: outdoorsy, water-loving dogs stay cleaner and cooler in shorter trims.
• Maintenance time: longer styles look striking but demand near-daily brushing.

Coat type also shifts as a dog matures, so the cut that suited a puppy may need rethinking later. For more on how shedding and coat type interact, see do Goldendoodles shed.

What products keep a doodle cut looking good between grooms?

Good tools make upkeep between appointments faster and gentler. Dood Woof makes clean-ingredient grooming products for doodle coats.

The Dood Woof Doodle Detangler Spray conditions the coat so a brush glides through with less pulling. Apply it before brushing sessions to ease out knots between baths.

A slicker brush such as the Chris Christensen Slicker Brush reaches down into thick, curly coats to lift loose undercoat with fewer strokes.

At bath time, the Dood Woof 5-in-1 Doodle Shampoo cleans, conditions, deodorizes, detangles, and moisturizes in one step. For a full kit, see the 10 best grooming tools for doodles.

Frequently asked questions

How often should you get a doodle haircut?

Most doodles are groomed every 6 to 8 weeks to keep the coat tidy and prevent matting. Longer, high-maintenance styles like the lion or dino cut may need touch-ups sooner.

Which doodle cut is best for summer?

A summer or kennel cut keeps an active dog cooler and easier to clean. Avoid shaving to the skin, since the coat shields against sun and helps regulate temperature.

What is the most popular doodle haircut?

The teddy bear cut is the most requested doodle style. Its rounded face and roughly 1-to-2-inch body length balance a plush look with manageable upkeep.

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Elina Panteleyeva is the founder of Dood Woof, a clean-ingredient grooming and supplement line made for doodle-breed dogs. A doodle owner herself, she started the company in 2023 after struggling to find products with ingredients she trusted, and developed all three of its formulations, now used by more than 70,000 doodle households. Follow Dood Woof on Instagram.

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