Goldendoodle Coat Types Explained: Wavy, Curly, and Straight

One of the most common questions we get from families is about coat type. Will the puppy shed? Will it be curly or wavy? Do I need to groom it constantly? These are great questions — and the answers depend largely on which coat type your Goldendoodle inherits. Here’s a straightforward breakdown.

Why Goldendoodles Have Different Coat Types

Goldendoodles are a hybrid breed, which means their coats can lean toward either parent — the Golden Retriever or the Poodle. The generation of the dog plays a big role in which direction the coat goes, but even within the same litter you can see some variation.

At Strong Oaks we breed F1, F1B, and F1BB Goldendoodles — and each generation tends to produce a fairly predictable coat type, which helps families know what to expect before their puppy even comes home.

The Three Coat Types

Wavy Coat

The wavy coat is the most recognizable Goldendoodle look — loose, flowing waves that give the dog that classic teddy bear appearance most people picture when they think of a Goldendoodle. It sits right between the straight Golden Retriever coat and the tight Poodle curl.

Wavy coats are low to moderate shedders and relatively easy to maintain compared to curlier coats. They still require regular brushing and occasional grooming, but they’re generally the most manageable of the three types.

Wavy coats are most common in F1 Goldendoodles.

Curly Coat

Curly coats look much more like a Poodle — tight, dense curls across the body. They shed very little, making them a popular choice for allergy-sensitive families. The tradeoff is that curly coats require more maintenance. Without regular brushing, they mat quickly — and mats are uncomfortable for the dog and expensive to fix at the groomer.

A curly-coated Goldendoodle needs brushing several times a week and professional grooming every 6 to 8 weeks. For families who are committed to that routine, the low-shedding payoff is absolutely worth it.

Curly coats are most common in F1B and F1BB Goldendoodles.

Straight Coat

Straight coats lean heavily toward the Golden Retriever side. They’re soft and beautiful but tend to shed more than the other coat types. You’ll find straight coats occasionally in F1 litters, though they’re less common in the generations we breed.

Straight-coated Goldendoodles are not the best choice for allergy-sensitive households, but for families who don’t have that concern and love the look of a Golden Retriever, they can be a wonderful fit.

How Generation Affects Coat Type

Here’s a quick reference for what to expect from each generation we breed at Strong Oaks:

F1 Goldendoodle — Most commonly wavy, occasionally straight. Low to moderate shedding. Good for families without significant allergy concerns.

F1B Goldendoodle — Most commonly curly to wavy. Low shedding. Good for families with mild to moderate allergies.

F1BB Goldendoodle — Most commonly curly. Minimal to no shedding. Best for families with significant allergies.

What About Grooming?

Regardless of coat type, all Goldendoodles need regular grooming. Here’s a general baseline:

Wavy coats need brushing two to three times per week and professional grooming every 8 to 12 weeks.

Curly coats need brushing three to five times per week and professional grooming every 6 to 8 weeks.

Straight coats need regular brushing to manage shedding and grooming every 8 to 12 weeks.

Finding a good groomer who has experience with Doodle coats makes a big difference. We’re always happy to share recommendations for families in our area.

Not Sure Which Coat Is Right for You?

That’s exactly what we’re here for. When you apply for a Strong Oaks puppy, we take the time to understand your family’s lifestyle, allergies, and grooming preferences — and we factor all of that into our puppy matching process. Our temperament and coat assessments at seven weeks help us make sure every puppy goes to the right home.

Give us a call at 828-408-3108 or send us a message anytime. We’d love to help you find the perfect fit.

Browse our current litters or submit an application to get started. We’re in Morganton, NC — in the Blue Ridge Mountains between Charlotte and Asheville — and we place puppies with families across North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, and nationwide.