How Often Should You Brush a Doodle's Coat
Last updated: May 30, 2026
TL;DR
How often a doodle needs brushing depends on coat type. Curly coats do best with daily brushing, while wavy and straighter coats can often go every other day. Brushing all the way down to the skin is what prevents mats between grooms. The Dood Woof Doodle Detangler Spray makes those sessions easier on a tangle-prone coat.
How often should you brush a doodle's coat?
It depends on the coat, but most doodles need brushing daily or every other day to prevent matting.
Dogs with curly coats require daily brushing to keep the hair from tangling or matting, especially around the ears, armpits, and the backs of the legs, according to the American Kennel Club. For poodle-type coats, brushing and combing every other day is enough to prevent mats, per AKC guidance on poodle grooming. Because doodles carry that poodle coat, the curlier the coat, the more often it needs attention.
How does coat type change brushing frequency?
A doodle's coat texture sets the baseline for how often brushing is needed.
Tight curly coats
Curly coats inherit more of the poodle's texture and need the most maintenance. The tight curl pattern traps loose hair and creates tangles quickly, so daily brushing down to the skin is the safest routine.
Wavy coats
Wavy coats are more forgiving than curly ones but still mat if neglected. Every other day works during stable periods, moving to daily during seasonal coat changes in spring and fall.
Straight coats
Straight coats are less common and usually need brushing every two to three days. They shed more visibly than curly or wavy coats, so regular brushing helps with household cleanliness as much as coat health.
What else affects how often a doodle needs brushing?
Beyond coat type, a dog's age, activity, and the season all shift the schedule.
Age and activity level
- Puppies benefit from daily brushing to build good grooming habits early, even before the coat mats easily.
- Active doodles who swim, hike, or play in wooded areas need brushing after activity to clear debris.
- Senior doodles often do better with gentle daily brushing as their skin becomes more sensitive.
Seasonal changes
Spring and fall coat transitions raise brushing needs for every coat type. Dry winter air can increase static and tangling, while summer humidity changes coat texture, so the routine often needs small adjustments through the year.
What are the signs a doodle needs more frequent brushing?
A few signs show the current schedule needs a bump.
- Small mats forming despite regular brushing
- Increased scratching or skin irritation
- Visible dirt or debris in the coat
- Coat looks dull or loses its texture
- Brushing sessions take longer than usual
These tend to appear before serious matting sets in, which makes them useful early warnings. For more on this, see the guide to why doodle hair mats so easily.
How do you brush a doodle's coat properly?
Good technique matters as much as frequency, and it starts with the right brush.
A slicker brush, with short, stiff wire bristles, works well for curly, non-shedding coats, and the key is to brush all the way down to the skin, according to the American Kennel Club. Work in small sections in the direction of hair growth, then follow with a comb to catch any tangles the slicker missed. Regular brushing also removes loose hair and dead skin cells, according to VCA Animal Hospitals. That top layer of dead skin cells is shed and replaced continuously, according to the Merck Veterinary Manual. Tangles should be brushed out before a bath, since water tightens mats. For a full bathing routine, see the guide to how often to bathe a doodle.
What products make doodle brushing easier?
The right spray and tools turn a difficult brushing session into a manageable one.
The Dood Woof Doodle Detangler Spray is pH-balanced for dogs and loosens tangles so brushing pulls less, with no parabens, silicones, or SLS. Apply it before a session to ease the comb-through.
Want both in one purchase? The Doodle Detangling Kit pairs the 5-in-1 Doodle Shampoo with the Doodle Detangler Spray as a set.
For the brush itself, a self-cleaning slicker like the Hertzko makes daily upkeep simple, with retractable pins for quick cleanup after each use.
Clean brushing also pairs with clean bathing. The Dood Woof 5-in-1 Doodle Shampoo cleans, conditions, deodorizes, detangles, and moisturizes in one step, which keeps the coat easier to brush between washes.
Frequently asked questions
How often should you brush a curly doodle?
Daily. Curly coats require daily brushing to prevent tangling and matting, according to the American Kennel Club, with extra attention around the ears, armpits, and the backs of the legs.
Can you brush a doodle too much?
Gentle daily brushing is fine and even helpful, since it removes loose hair and dead skin cells, according to VCA Animal Hospitals. Use light, consistent pressure and a suitable brush to avoid irritating the skin.
Should you brush a doodle before a bath?
Yes. Tangles should be brushed out before bathing, because water tightens mats and can make them very hard to remove afterward.
What brush is best for a doodle's coat?
A slicker brush with short, stiff wire bristles suits curly, non-shedding coats, according to the American Kennel Club. Pairing it with a comb helps catch tangles the slicker misses.
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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