Doodle Coat Types: Curly, Wavy, and Straight
TL;DR
Dood Woof uses curly, wavy, and straight as practical texture descriptions, not a universal doodle taxonomy. GANA applies those terms to Goldendoodles, while ALAA uses fleece and wool for Australian Labradoodles. Furnishings are a separate facial-hair trait. Identify the visible coat first, then use breed-specific care guidance.
How can owners describe a doodle coat?
Curly, wavy, and straight describe one coat-texture axis. Breed-specific guides may use other terms, including fleece and wool.
GANA's Goldendoodle coat guide uses curly, wavy, and straight. Owners can compare dry hair across the body instead of relying on one small patch.
| Texture description | Visible pattern | What to check next |
|---|---|---|
| Curly | Tight curls or compact spirals | Furnishings, density, and breed-specific care |
| Wavy | Loose bends or soft waves | Furnishings, density, and breed-specific care |
| Straight | Flatter hair with limited curl | Furnishings, density, and breed-specific care |
Why do some breed guides use fleece and wool?
Coat terminology varies by breed organization. Fleece and wool are recognized Australian Labradoodle coat terms.
The ALAA breed standard describes fleece coats as straight, wavy, or softly curled. It describes wool coats as loose spirals with a wool-like texture.
That vocabulary does not replace visible texture. An owner may see a wavy fleece Australian Labradoodle and a wavy Goldendoodle described with different coat labels.
What are furnishings on a doodle?
Furnishings are the longer beard and eyebrow hairs that create the familiar shaggy doodle face. They are separate from overall curl.
The American Kennel Club coat guide links furnishings to RSPO2 and curl pattern to KRT71. A dog can have facial furnishings with curly, wavy, or straighter body hair.
- Furnished face: longer hair frames the muzzle and eyebrows.
- Unfurnished face: shorter facial hair creates a smoother outline.
- Body texture: curl describes the hair pattern away from the face.
What does coat genetics explain?
A 2009 study found that three genes explained most coat phenotypes among the purebred dogs studied. The genes were associated with length, curl, and furnishings.
The Science coat study helps explain why curl and furnishings are separate traits. Doodles can inherit different combinations through their Poodle and other breed ancestry.
A generation label does not report every coat trait. The Dood Woof generation guide explains why buyers still need parentage and litter-specific coat details.
Where should owners find coat-specific care?
Owners should match care to the individual coat and use breed-specific guidance for shedding, coat change, and grooming tools.
According to VCA's dog coat-care guide, grooming needs vary with coat type and condition. A groomer can show owners how to check that individual coat at skin level.
- Track transitions with the guide to doodle puppy coat changes.
- Review the breed-specific answer to whether Goldendoodles shed.
- Choose brush and comb categories with the Dood Woof grooming kit guide.
Which Dood Woof products support coat care?
Dood Woof pairs the 5-in-1 Doodle Shampoo with the Doodle Detangler Spray for doodle coat care. Brush choice still follows the dog's texture.
The shampoo cleans, conditions, deodorizes, detangles, and moisturizes. The no-rinse spray is applied to tangled areas before brushing. Both use the label directions on the product page.
The two products are also sold together as the Doodle Grooming Kit: Shampoo + Detangler.
More than 70,000 doodle owners have bought Dood Woof products. Owners can start with the visible coat, then follow the relevant breed and product directions.
Frequently asked questions
Can an Australian Labradoodle fleece coat be wavy or curly?
Yes. The ALAA standard says a fleece-textured coat may look straight, wavy, or softly curled. Wool is a separate Australian Labradoodle texture term.
Can two wavy Goldendoodles have curly or straight puppies?
Yes. GANA says two wavy Goldendoodles can produce curly, wavy, or straight puppies because a wavy dog can carry a curl variant.
Are curl and furnishings controlled by the same gene?
No. The AKC coat guide associates curl with KRT71 and furnishings with RSPO2. A furnished face does not establish how curly the body coat will be.
Elina Panteleyeva is the founder of Dood Woof, a clean-ingredient grooming and supplement line built for doodle-breed dogs. A doodle owner herself, she started the company in 2023 after struggling to find products with ingredients she trusted. She has developed three formulations. More than 70,000 doodle owners have bought Dood Woof products. Follow Dood Woof on Instagram.
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, Dood Woof earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.