Goldendoodle Straight Hair: Facts, Info, and Pros and Cons

A Goldendoodle with straight hair might have been a rare sight in the recent past, but they are gaining much recognition in Doodle circles. Just as adorable as their curly and wavy counterparts, Goldendoodles with straight hair sport a less Poodle-like look while also benefiting from a less demanding coat care regimen.

Let’s find out if and when Goldendoodles can have straight hair, how rare it actually is, and what are the pros and cons of straight coat Goldendoodles.

Can Goldendoodles Have Straight Hair?

The Goldendoodle is probably one of the most popular hybrid breeds thanks to its amazing personality, loving nature, and hypoallergenic coat. As the Goldendoodle is a mix of the Golden Retriever and Poodle, the puppies will inherit their genetic makeup from both of the parents. Consequently, this gives us a wide range of estimates about how the Goldendoodle puppies might turn out. Some pups will inherit their looks and traits from the Poodle parent, while others take after the Golden Retriever parent.

Now, although Goldendoodles were initially bred as hypoallergenic dogs, it’s important to keep in mind that not all Goldendoodles come with the same coat type. By combining the genetics of the Golden Retriever and Poodle, Goldendoodles can come in four coat types – curly, wavy, straight, and flat coat.

Pups who inherit the curly coat are usually very light shedders or don’t shed at all. This makes them the perfect choice for people who struggle with allergies. On the other hand, if a Goldendoodle has inherited straighter hair, it’s likely that they also have a shedding undercoat from the Golden Retriever side of their lineage.

What’s more, you might have heard about the flat coat Goldendoodle. People often refer to straight coat Goldendoodles as flat-coated. However, not all straight coat Goldendoodles have flat coats. Flat coat refers to a Goldendoodle with the improper coat gene, as they don’t carry any furnishings. Unfurnished or flat-coated Goldendoodles don’t have the signature scruffy Doodle look. If straight coat Goldendoodles have fluffy beards, eyebrows, and ears, then flat coat pups have short and smooth facial hair. In fact, they look very much like the Golden Retriever parent.

View Photo Gallery of Straight Coat Goldendoodles

How Rare Are Goldendoodles With Straight Hair?

It’s safe to say that Goldendoodles with curly and wavy coats are most popular, as they’re very light shedders. After all, the purpose was to create a breed that has many of the same qualities as the Golden Retriever, but with an allergy-friendly coat. On the other hand, Goldendoodles with straight hair aren’t as rare as you might think. Although breeders often prefer to produce curlier Goldendoodles, straight haired Goldendoodles can just as well happen.

Of course, it all comes down to a dog’s genetic makeup. Naturally, a Goldendoodle is more likely to have a straight coat if their lineage includes equal parts of the purebred parents. For instance, straight haired Goldendoodle pups are more common in Goldendoodle mixes where there’s 50% Golden Retriever and 50% Poodle present.

Why Do Goldendoodles Have Straight Hair?

So, why exactly do some Goldendoodles have straight hair? Let’s take a look at the three main factors that influence a Goldendoodle’s coat type.

Genetics

Whether a Goldendoodle has straight hair or a curly coat, the biggest key factor is their genetic makeup. Although we can make predictions on our own, it’s important we understand that even puppies from the same litter can look completely different. As we’re combining two different purebred dogs, we’re mixing two different sets of genetics. Naturally, the outcome is never the same. Some puppies exhibit dominant Poodle genes, others have more dominant Golden Retriever genes.

What determines if a Goldendoodle pup gets curly, wavy, or straight coat is the presence and amount of curl genes. The curl gene called KRT71 usually shows +/+ for curly pups, +/- for wavy, and -/- for straight coat Goldendoodles.

Additionally, genetics also determine if a puppy can get a flat coat. The furnishing gene RSP02 shows F/F for fully furnished pups (usually Poodle) and IC/IC for unfurnished dogs like the Golden Retriever and unfurnished Goldendoodles. As the furnishing gene F is dominant and IC is recessive, pups with the F/IC genotype always come with furnishings. However, when we combine two F/IC Goldendoodles, there’s a 25% chance of unfurnished puppies.

Many Goldendoodle breeders do genetic testing on their parent pups to know what coat types can be achieved. However, keep in mind that not all breeders have their dogs DNA tested. If you’re unsure, ask the breeder for additional information.

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Generations

Another factor to keep in mind is a Doodle’s generation. Let’s first take a quick look at all the possible Goldendoodle generations and what each of them represents:

	1st Parent	2nd Parent	% Golden Retriever*	% Poodle*
F1 Goldendoodle (first-generation)	Golden Retriever	Poodle	50%	50%
F1B Goldendoodle (first-generation backcross)	F1 Goldendoodle	Poodle	25%	75%
F1BB Goldendoodle (first-generation backcross backcross)	F1B Goldendoodle	Poodle	12.5%	87.5%
F2 Goldendoodle (second-generation)	F1 Goldendoodle	F1 Goldendoodle	50%	50%
F2B Goldendoodle (second-generation backcross)	F1 Goldendoodle	F1B Goldendoodle	37.5%	62.5%
F2B Goldendoodle (alternate cross)	F2 Goldendoodle	Poodle	25%	75%
F3 / Multigen Goldendoodle	F1B Goldendoodle or higher	F1B Goldendoodle or higher	Varies	Varies

*These are generic calculations only – genetics are rarely mathematically accurate.

Based on that, we can expect a straight coat Goldendoodle to be more common in first and second generations, where there’s a 50-50 mix of Poodle and Goldendoodle. Likewise, we can expect curly and wavy coats to be more common in backcross generations like F1b, F1bb, F2b, and F2bb Goldendoodles. Still, it’s important to keep in mind that although a puppy’s generation gives us a good estimate about their potential coat type, it doesn’t guarantee a certain outcome.

Coat Changes

Another interesting factor to keep in mind is that Goldendoodle puppies change their coats while reaching adulthood. Puppies often start shedding their puppy coats around 6 months of age and transition into their adult coats. The transition can either happen suddenly or gradually over a few months. In addition to that, darker colored Goldendoodles can also fade their color and become lighter as they age.

Typically, the difference between puppy and adult coats is mostly textural. Puppy coat is softer and thinner while the adult coat often has a thicker and stiffer texture. Of course, some puppies might have straighter or curlier hair as a baby and grow into a different coat type once they’re adults.

Are Straight Hair Goldendoodles Hypoallergenic?

Goldendoodles are well-known for being hypoallergenic dogs that shed minimally. However, as we mentioned, a straight coat Goldendoodle might not be the best choice if you have dog dander allergy. As Goldendoodle straight hair sheds, it releases dog dander around the house and in the air. This, in turn, will then trigger allergic reactions. Meanwhile, curly-haired pups rarely shed, making them a better choice if you’re allergic to dog dander.

If you’re looking to adopt a Goldendoodle for its hypoallergenic coat, make sure you consult with a reputable breeder about your concerns and questions. Many breeders do genetic testing to determine the coat types in their litters.

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Maintenance and Grooming For Straight Coat Goldendoodles

Although all Goldendoodles have high-maintenance coats, Goldendoodles with straight hair do have a great advantage. One of the main perks of the straight coat Goldendoodle is that its hair is often easier to maintain than the curly coat.

Although the curly-haired Goldendoodles are famously hypoallergenic non-shedders, their textured hair can easily tangle. Of course, to prevent the knots and tangles forming into full-blown mats, daily brushing is an absolute must. Not to mention, regular hair trims, bathing, and other grooming activities.

In contrast, Goldendoodles with straight hair usually don’t require as much upkeep. Their hair doesn’t knot as easily, less debris gets tangled in the hair, and it’s less prone to matting. Even so, as the Goldendoodle straight hair does shed, it’s still important you brush out any loose hair from the fur to prevent matting.

Regardless of the dog’s coat type, all Goldendoodles also require regular bathing, nail clipping, and hair trims. Don’t forget to brush your Goldendoodle’s teeth to prevent dental problems and keep your Dood’s beard and eye area clean to prevent staining and bad odor.

Straight Haired Goldendoodles: Pros & Cons

Just adorable as their curly-haired counterparts, straight coat Goldendoodles have their advantages and downsides. Let’s take a quick look at the pros and cons of Goldendoodles with straight hair:

Pros

Easier to maintain: Goldendoodle straight hair is often regarded as the easiest to manage. It usually doesn’t knot as easily as curly hair and it’s less prone to matting. As a result, it doesn’t require as rigorous grooming routine
Less Poodle-like look: Many dog owners prefer the original Golden Retriever look – that straight and flat coat Goldendoodles often have. The pups still benefit from hybrid vigor and less shedding, but still look much like their purebred Golden Retriever parent.

Cons

Less hypoallergenic: Flat coat and straight coat Goldendoodles aren’t as hypoallergenic as their curly and wavy-haired littermates. Goldendoodles with straight hair tend to shed more, as they often come with the Golden Retriever double coat. As a result, more dog dander is released onto your furniture and all around the house, triggering allergic reactions.

How Can You Tell What Type Of Coat Your Doodle Will Have?

The only way to determine what coat type a Doodle puppy will have is by genetic testing. Of course, we can make guesses based on the puppy’s parents’ physical appearance and generation. However, the best way to accurately understand what coat types may be present in the litter is by genetic testing. Luckily, many breeders test their parent dogs and can therefore inform you about the possible options. For instance, whether there’s a chance of some puppies carrying the IC/IC improper coat gene or if some of the puppies will get straight hair.

Additionally, you can also tell what type of coat a Goldendoodle puppy will have as an adult by looking at the hair around its mouth. Goldendoodles with curly hair will have tight curls around their mouth as a puppy. If they grow into a wavy coat, the puppy will have wavy hair around the mouth. Lastly, Goldendoodles with straight hair will have short and straight hair around their mouth. Nevertheless, some puppies may still grow into a different coat type as they mature.

Goldendoodle Straight Hair FAQ

Do Straight Coat Goldendoodles Shed?

With Goldendoodle straight hair, we can expect some shedding. Goldendoodles with straight coats often have a shedding double coat. In contrast, Goldendoodles with curly coats shed very minimally, if at all. Not only will shedding leave you with the annoying task of cleaning every surface of loose dog hair, it can also trigger allergic reactions. However, we can still expect flat coat and straight coat Goldendoodles to shed less than their purebred Golden Retriever parents.

Can F1b Goldendoodles Have Straight Hair?

Typically, F1b Goldendoodles have wavy or curly, often Poodle-like or shaggy hair. That’s because F1b refers to first-generation Goldendoodle being bred back to a Poodle. As there’s more Poodle in the mix, most F1b Goldendoodles don’t have straight hair. Although it’s unlikely that an F1b Goldendoodle has straight hair, it’s not entirely impossible, as it’s all determined by their genetics.

Are Flat-Coated Goldendoodles Rare?

A flat coat Goldendoodle is more rare, as breeders usually strive to produce very low to non-shedding puppies. In recent years, many dog owners actually prefer the Golden Retriever look that comes with a flat coat. The pups still benefit from hybrid vigor and often shed considerably less than their Golden Retriever parent. Therefore, we can expect flat coat and straight coat Goldendoodles to become more popular in the near future.

Will A Goldendoodle Puppy Coat Change?

Usually puppies change their coats once they start nearing adulthood. Some pups go through the transition smoothly over a couple of months, others will shed their puppy coat more rapidly. We can typically expect a Goldendoodle puppy to have silkier and thinner hair until they transition into a rougher and thicker adult coat. Additionally, some puppies can become either curlier or straighter over time as well.

Although curly-haired Doodles are better suited for people with allergies, straight-haired Goldendoodles are equally as precious and have a much less demanding grooming routine. We hope this article managed to answer all of your questions about Goldendoodles with straight hair, so you can make an informed decision before bringing your new pup home.