Coat and Grooming
Do Mini Australian Labradoodles Shed? The Truth About Low-Shedding vs. Non-Shedding Coats
Mini Australian Labradoodles shed very little, but no dog sheds zero. Their fleece or wool coat catches loose hair until you brush it out, which keeps your house clean and means regular brushing and grooming for life.
Which coat types are there?
| Coat | What it feels like | Shedding |
|---|---|---|
| Fleece | Soft, with loose waves or spirals | Very low |
| Wool | Denser, with tighter curls, like a Poodle | Very low |
| Hair | Straighter, more like a Lab | Higher, and uncommon in multigenerational lines |
Coat type comes from genetics. Every one of our parents tests F/F for furnishings, the gene behind the doodle beard and eyebrows that is closely tied to low shedding.
Why does a low-shedding coat still need work?
The hair that does fall out gets caught in the coat instead of landing on your floor. That is the good news. However, if you do not brush it out, it tangles with the growing coat and turns into mats. In other words, you trade vacuuming for brushing.
What happens when the puppy coat changes?
Somewhere around 6 to 12 months, the soft puppy coat starts changing to the adult coat. This is when most mats happen. Brush more often during those months, and let your groomer know what is going on.
What is a good grooming routine?
- Brush a few times a weekA slicker brush followed by a metal comb, all the way down to the skin.
- See a groomer every 6 to 8 weeksA bath, a trim, nails, and ears.
- Bathe only when neededUse a dog shampoo. Too many baths dry out the skin.
- Check the trouble spotsBehind the ears, under the legs, and the chest mat first.
We start brushing and nail trims before puppies go home, so your puppy is already used to being handled.
Are they good for allergies?
No dog is truly allergen-free. The main dog allergen comes from skin, saliva, and dander, not the hair itself. Studies that measured allergen in homes have not found that so-called hypoallergenic breeds leave less of it behind. In other words, a low-shedding coat means less hair on your floor, but allergy results still depend on the person and the dog.
When is the next litter?
Puppies go home at 8 weeks old. Click here to see when our next litters are due.
Common questions about mini Labradoodle shedding
Do mini Australian Labradoodles shed?
Very little. Their fleece or wool coat holds loose hair until you brush it out, so you see very little around the house.
Which coat type sheds least?
Wool and fleece both shed very little. A hair coat, which is uncommon in multigenerational lines, sheds more.
When does the puppy coat change?
Usually somewhere between about 6 and 12 months. Brush more often during that stretch, because the coat mats easily while it changes.
Are mini Australian Labradoodles hypoallergenic?
No dog is truly hypoallergenic. Many people with mild dog allergies do well with them, but spend time with the dogs before you commit.
Want to feel the coat in person?
Meet our parent dogs and see their coats up close.
Related reading: non-shedding family dogs and how long mini Australian Labradoodles live.
Sources
- Cadieu E, et al. (2009). Coat variation in the domestic dog is governed by variants in three genes. Science 326(5949).
- Vredegoor DW, et al. (2012). Can f 1 levels in hair and homes of different dog breeds: lack of evidence to describe any dog breed as hypoallergenic. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 130(4).
- Nicholas CE, et al. (2011). Dog allergen levels in homes with hypoallergenic compared with nonhypoallergenic dogs. American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy 25(4).