The Curlyfleece Coat of the Labradoodle

The coat type of the Australian labradoodle is determined by the genetics of the dog and its parents and grandparents.curlyfleece There are three basic coat types: Fleece, Wool and Hair (which is being phased out of the breed).curlyfleece

The Fleece textured coat resembles the appearance of an angora goat with its soft crimped appearance and easy to manage wavy or curly look.curlyfleece It is a low to no shedding coat and generally allergy friendly.

A wavy or curly wool coat has a soft dense 'wool feel' with the appearance of a classic 80's spiral perm and may have the texture of a poodle.curlyfleece It is also a low to no shedding coat and usually allergy friendly, with some of the highest success rate for allergy and asthma.

Both the Fleece and Wool coats shed a little less than traditional Labrador Retrievers but require weekly brushing to maintain their beauty.curlyfleece These non shedding coats also contain a large percentage of moisture which can help to wick away the build up of dirt and sweat keeping the dog cleaner longer. This is an important attribute of the labradoodle as it reduces the amount of skin dander which can be a significant contributor to allergies in humans.

In the future it is predicted that many if not most Australian labradoodles will be produced in the curly fleece variety.curlyfleece This is an exciting development and offers the potential for many new careers and tasks such as service work/pet therapy, herding, retrieving upland game and waterfowl, working in agility and other competitions and of course exceptional family pets.

Curlyfleece is unique in that the wavy or curls of the coat have an ability to regrow their natural soft and crimped appearance after being clipped.curlyfleece This is due to the fact that the curls do not invert [coil] and they maintain their natural moisture and shine. With the right coat care these wavy or curly coats can be regrown to their original softer and crimped appearance in a relatively short period of time. This is not possible with most other coat varieties as the curls invert [coil] after being trimmed and do not retain their natural softness and shine.

This unique feature of the curlyfleece is another reason why it is becoming the preferred coat type for many owners of labradoodles.curlyfleece This is because it offers the opportunity to have the coveted curly or wavy wool/fleece Australian Labradoodle coat without the high maintenance that typically goes with it. A wavy or curly wool/fleece coat requires very little grooming other than weekly brushing and the occasional trimming with scissors for length control. This greatly reduces the cost of grooming for pet owners and makes the curlyfleece a more economical choice than the other coat types.