Labradoodle Grooming From Head to Tail…At Home!

How often should you groom a Labradoodle? Can you groom a Labradoodle at home? In this article, we’re going to answer all of your questions about Labradoodle grooming, along with our best hacks on how to achieve a beautiful cut on your Doodle yourself. Let’s get started!

Labradoodle Grooming Cost

Although Labradoodles are especially loved for their low-shedding coats, they do require regular upkeep. Taking care of a beautiful Doodle coat comes at a cost. Whether your pup sports a curly coat or more relaxed straight hair, Labradoodles are known to be high maintenance. 

Usually, you can expect to pay anywhere from $45 to up to $100 to get your Labradoodle professionally groomed. But keeping in mind that most Labradoodles should be groomed every 1-3 months, those numbers can add up pretty quickly. 

For Miniature Labradoodles, grooming costs will likely be less expensive, as they are smaller-sized. However, you’ll still be spending money on a regular basis. So, if you’re looking for a way to save some cash and time (no more anxious car rides to the groomer!), you might want to look into grooming your Doodle at home.  

Of course, you shouldn’t reach for your most blunt set of kitchen scissors and start butchering your Labradoodle’s hair. If you’ve decided to give grooming a go, make sure you have all the necessary tools in your Labradoodle grooming kit. We’ve created a checklist of the 10 Labradoodle grooming tools you’ll need, which we’ll cover later on in this article. 

DIY Labradoodle Grooming Tutorials

We know, grooming your dog can seem daunting at first. But with a little bit of patience and practice, you’ll pick it up in no time. Don’t get discouraged if the first few times you’re not too happy with the result. Over time, you’ll learn a few tips and tricks of your own. 

So, how to cut a Labradoodle’s hair? Let’s now take a closer look at the trickiest body parts and how you can achieve a beautiful cut on your Labradoodle yourself. We’ve also created complete step-by-step video tutorials of the whole Doodle grooming process so you can learn how to groom your Labradoodle like a true professional. 

Labradoodle Face Grooming

Learning how to cut Labradoodle’s face will give you a great head start, as you’ll get to maneuver around all of those sensitive areas like the eyes, nose, mouth, and ears. However, this also means that you have to be extremely careful to not accidentally hurt your dog.  

Fortunately, Labradoodle face grooming isn’t that difficult. You can either opt for clipping your Labradoodle’s face, or use scissors to trim the facial hair. When using clippers, the easiest way would be to start from the top of your Labradoodle’s head and work your way down. As Labradoodles have big, floppy ears, make sure to keep them out of your way. 

Whether you opt for clippers or not, you’ll still have to go back in with blunt-ended scissors to trim the hair around the mouth, nose, eyes, and ears. Speaking of which, you should also make sure that there’s no hair covering your dog’s vision. This will also help prevent eye infections that might develop due to matted hair and dirt around the eye area. Check out our video tutorial on how to trim around the eyes with scissors. 

Here’s a video tutorial on how to clip your Doodle’s face, head, and neck.

If you’re in need of some inspiration, check out the best Labradoodle haircuts and grooming styles. 

Additionally, don’t forget to trim the hair inside your Doodle’s ears, as Labradoodles are prone to ear infections. The best way to prevent it is by trimming the ear hairs regularly. 

Labradoodle Paw Grooming

Just like the rest of the body, paws need to be groomed regularly. However, paws can be very tricky to groom so it’s especially important you stay alert and cautious. To start, you should find a comfortable position for you and your Doodle. Keep in mind that your dog might pull their paw away at any given moment. 

If possible, first remove as much hair as possible with a clipper. Then get in with a pair of blunt-ended scissors and carefully trim the hair on the paws. You should lay scissors as flat as possible against the paw to not injure the surrounding skin. 

In addition, don’t forget the hairs between the paw pads, as these areas can also get matted. In the video below, you’ll get a closer look at how to deal with matted hair between the paw pads. 

Labradoodle Body Grooming

When grooming the body, start from the highest point of your dog’s back and move down towards the buttocks. This is usually easiest done when your dog is sitting or standing. Clip the hair in the same direction so you won’t pull on your dog’s hair. When moving on to your dog’s sides, shave at a downward angle with the grain of the hair. 

Keep in mind that if your Labradoodle’s hair is matted, you might have to do a short clip cut all over the body. Additionally, as the hair is usually super thick on the back, you might want to use a faster speed setting to get through the dense coat. 

Here’s a video tutorial on how to clip your Doodle’s top-half:

When clipping the belly, it’s usually best if your dog stands up. This way you can easily reach the underbelly area. You can start from the chest area, and move towards the tail. When trimming the hair around the belly and groin, make sure you’re being especially careful to not hurt the nipples or genitals. 

Belly hair can be clipped short so dirt won’t get stuck as easily. It’s also smart for summertime so your Doodle can stay cool and comfortable. Here’s a tutorial video on how to clip the belly and groin areas:

Labradoodle Tail Grooming

When grooming your Labradoodle’s tail, you can start from the bottom and move upwards to the end of the tail. We recommend you keep the hair around your Labradoodle’s rear end area rather short. This will help prevent any “number 2’s” getting stuck in the hair after a potty break. And again, be very careful when clipping the hair around your dog’s butt and genital areas. You don’t want to accidentally hurt them.

On the other hand, you can keep the upper portion of the tail longer. For a smaller trim, you use thinning shears to feather out the hairs. But remember, even tail hair can get matted so make sure you brush and groom it regularly. 

Here’s a good tutorial video on how to groom a Doodle’s tail and bum area:

Labradoodle Grooming Tools & Kits You Absolutely Need

If you’re ready to take on your dog’s beauty routine, you’ll be needing a few different Labradoodle grooming tools that’ll help you get the job done like a pro. Here the tools you absolutely need in your at home Labradoodle grooming kit:

1. Brush: A good quality brush is the backbone of an at home Labradoodle grooming kit. As you’ll be using this tool the most, we recommend you invest in a high quality brush that won’t fall apart after a few uses. Here you can check out our ultimate Labradoodle brush guide. 
2. Comb: As the Labradoodle’s high maintenance coat is prone to matting, you’ll need a sturdy and durable comb to tackle any knots and tangles. Combs are also great for Labradoodle face grooming, as you’ll be able to reach smaller and more delicate areas. 
3. Dog Clippers: The easiest and quickest way to trim your Labradoodle’s hair is by using a good set of clippers. Here we’ve lined up the absolute best dog clippers for Labradoodles.
4. Scissors: In addition to clippers, you’ll also be needing a pair of scissors to trim the hairs on the face, ears, and paws. These are our favorite grooming scissors for Doodles. 
5. Dog Shears: Also known as thinning shears, this scissor-like tool will totally transform the way you groom your Labradoodle, blending in all the different lengths of hair.
6. Detangler Sprays: Detangler sprays are amazing for getting rid of stubborn knots that you just cannot get rid of with a brush or comb alone. Here are the 5 best dog detangler sprays that pro groomers recommend. 
7. Shampoo: Depending on your dog’s needs, you can find a dog shampoo for almost every concern a Labradoodle might have. Make sure to check out our guide on the best shampoos for Labradoodles that Doodle owners trust and recommend. 
8. Nail Clippers: As Labradoodles’ nails tend to grow quickly, it only makes sense to clip them at home yourself. Here’s our ultimate dog nail trimming guide along with some product recommendations.  
9. Ear Cleaning Products & Treatments: As Labradoodles are at a higher risk of developing ear infections, we recommend your at home grooming kit includes a dog ear cleaner. To learn more about dog ear infections, prevention, and treatment, check out this article. 
10. Grooming Tables: Lastly, a grooming table isn’t necessary, but believe us when we say that it’s a complete game-changer. A grooming table keeps your pup safe and in place. Meanwhile, your back will thank you, as you won’t be crouching down to reach your dog. You can opt for either commercial dog grooming tables or build a DIY dog grooming table. 

How Often Should A Labradoodle Be Groomed?

It’s no secret that Labradoodles are high maintenance. Their coats are prone to matting and their hair can grow out quickly. Not to mention, all the nail clipping and bathing that you need to keep up with. To help you stay on top of your Labradoodle’s grooming routine, here’s a cheat sheet that works for most Doodles:

• Brushing: daily or at least 3-4 times a week
• Nail clipping: 1-2 times a week
• Hair trimming: every 6-8 weeks 
• Ear hair trimming: every 6-8 weeks
• Bathing: depending on your lifestyle and preferences – some Labradoodles need to be washed every week, some can do perfectly well every 4-8 weeks.

Labradoodle Grooming: Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Groom My Labradoodle Myself?

Absolutely! Grooming your Labradoodle at home is not only great for saving time and money, but also to have that bonding experience with your little pal. Of course, it’s completely normal if you feel uncomfortable having to trim your dog’s hair. However, if you’ve invested in proper tools and learned all the basic techniques, you’ll get a hang of it once you start grooming your Labradoodle yourself. 

How Short Should You Cut A Labradoodle’s Hair?

Deciding on the length of your Labradoodle’s hair depends on a variety of factors like the climate you live in, the current season, your dog’s comfort, and your lifestyle. For example, in the summer months, your Labradoodle might prefer a shorter cut to stay cool. It’s also important to keep in mind that the longer your Labradoodle’s hair, the more you’ll be spending time on brushing it. 

How Do You Trim A Labradoodle Face?

You can use either clippers, scissors, or both to trim your Labradoodle’s face. If you prefer a longer cut on the face, you can do perfectly well with just scissors alone. If you opt for clippers, you’ll also have to jump in with scissors to trim around the eyes, nose, mouth, and ears. Here are our video tutorials for trimming a Doodle’s face:

Should I Trim The Hair Around My Labradoodle’s Eyes?

Just like you should trim your Labradoodle’s body hair, you should also trim the hair around their eyes. Firstly, your dog’s vision should not be obstructed. Secondly, even the hair around the eyes can get matted very easily, if not taken care of properly. As a result, your Labradoodle might develop eye infections. 

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We hope you learned some interesting new tips and tricks about Labradoodle grooming. Taking matters into your own hands not only saves you a whole lot of money, but also time and energy, which you would otherwise spend on driving to a groomer’s. And who knows, you might even discover a new hidden talent of yours.