Why Do Goldendoodles Smell? 6 Causes and Prevention

Do Goldendoodles smell? Well…sometimes! But there are many things you can do to make your fluffy companion smell good. Let’s cover the most common reasons why Goldendoodles might get a bit stinky and how you can avoid it. 

Table of Contents

• Why Do Goldendoodles Smell? 6 Reasons
• How To Keep Your Goldendoodle Smelling Good
• Comparison With Other Breeds
• Frequently Asked Questions on Do Goldendoodles Smell

Why Do Goldendoodles Smell? 6 Reasons

Why do Goldendoodles smell? There are a variety of reasons why your Goldendoodle might smell bad. The most common one being improper hygiene. However, some medical conditions can also make your Goldendoodle stink. 

1. Ear Infections

All Doodles, including Goldendoodles, are prone to ear infections. Doodles inherit Poodles’ inner-ear hair, which can block the airflow and cause bacteria and moisture to get stuck inside their ears. Of course, this can cause a nasty smell coming from your pup’s ears.

Furthermore, Goldendoodles have big droopy ears, which blocks the airflow even further. This makes a Goldendoodle’s ears a perfect breeding ground for bacteria.

The easiest way to prevent ear infections in Goldendoodles is to trim their inner-ear hairs and practice proper ear hygiene.

Be sure to check out our in-depth article on Doodle ear infections. You’ll also find our ear trimming tutorial video there if you feel comfortable doing this yourself. Or, take your Goldendoodle to regular groomings by a professional.

2. Dental Issues

Just like you take care of your own oral hygiene, you should also make sure your Goldendoodle’s teeth and gums are clean and healthy. Dental issues can cause foul breath, which you might notice when your Doodle is giving kisses.

Periodontal disease, tartar, and plaque are the most common dental issues in dogs. Moreover, Golden Retrievers and Poodles are both prone to developing gum recession. Therefore, so are Goldendoodles. All of these issues cause food and bacteria getting stuck in their teeth and gums. Consequently, that can cause dental problems that might need proper veterinary care.  

Dental treats and chew toys are a great way to help prevent any oral issues. You can also brush your Doodle’s teeth, but only with a proper toothbrush and toothpaste designed for dogs.

3. Gas

As for the “why do Goldendoodles smell” question, gas and digestive issues can be unbearably foul-smelling in dogs. We all know that dogs like to eat anything that comes their way. Eating trash and garbage is one of the most common causes of stinky gas and diarrhea in dogs.

Likewise, Doodles might develop food allergies or experience food intolerances. Usually, dog food allergies are triggered by certain proteins – most commonly chicken and wheat, as they’re both high in protein. 

Food intolerance can also be triggered by lactose and different preservatives, flavorants, and colorants found in commercial dog food. 

If your Doodle has some kind of an intolerance or food allergy, you should consider eliminating it from their diet. Luckily, if your Goldendoodle is allergic to chicken, they might do well with fish. Read more about food allergies in Doodles and the elimination diet. 

Furthermore, discuss the issue with your vet, as they will be able to recommend your Doodle some high-quality dog food for sensitivity and digestive issues. 

4. Atopy (Allergies)

Atopy, a.k.a. canine atopic dermatitis, is usually an allergic reaction to some type of food, fleas or flea saliva, or environmental substances. In addition to upset tummy, allergies can cause skin rashes, skin inflammation, itchiness, watery eyes, and bad smell on their skin. If you suspect your Goldendoodle is suffering from an allergy, contact your vet to find an appropriate solution. 

5. Eye Gunk

Believe it or not, Doodles’ eye discharge can often be the cause of an unpleasant smell. In addition, the built-up eye gunk can cause your Goldendoodle’s facial fur to become matted. 

Fortunately, you can easily avoid this by cleaning your Doodle’s eyes. A few times a day, gently wipe your pup’s eyes with a wet towel or tissue. You can even do this with a clean, bare finger. But if you’re too grossed out by this, opt for the wet towel. 🙂   

6. Dirty Coats

Let’s not forget, just like you need to shower, so does your Doodle – especially if they like to roll around on the ground or play in the mud! Naturally, a dirty coat will start smelling at some point. And we bet that no Doodle owner wishes to cuddle a dirty pup. Regular bathing and grooming is a necessity. This is probably the most common reason answering why do Goldendoodles smell.

How To Keep Your Goldendoodle Smelling Good

If you’re asking why do Goldendoodles smell, you’re also probably wondering how to keep a Goldendoodle from smelling bad. First, you need to figure out what’s causing the smell. Often, it can be as simple as not bathing and grooming them enough. However, if the root of the issue isn’t as straightforward, always contact your vet to get to the bottom of it. 

Second, make sure that you have a good hygiene regimen in place. This includes your Doodle’s oral hygiene, and hygiene of his ears, eyes, and coat. An all-round good hygiene routine can prevent bad smells and also more serious medical issues that are caused by bad bacteria. 

You should start with grooming and cleaning as soon as you’ve adopted your Goldendoodle. This way they can get used to it from early on.

Clean Coats

How often should a Goldendoodle be bathed? Well, that really depends on your Doodle’s activity levels, hair length, and whether they have any allergies or skin conditions. Each Doodle is unique and it really does depend on their individual needs. 

Some Doodles might do well being bathed every 2-3 months when visiting the groomer. Other Doodles might need weekly bath time. If your pup starts to smell and their coat looks dirty, it’s probably time for a bath. But, keep in mind that bathing your Doodle too much can dry out their skin and thus cause irritation and skin problems.

In addition, you should never use human shampoos or conditioners on a dog. To make things even easier for you, here is our ultimate list of dog shampoos and conditioners.

Regular Grooming

Regular grooming ensures that your Goldendoodle stays clean and healthy. For example, Doodles are more prone to matting, so regular brushing is necessary to avoid tangles and knots. Matted hair will not only smell and cause discomfort for your Doodle, but can also cause infections, wounds, and other health issues. 

Your Doodle’s home maintenance grooming routine should include daily brushing, clipping their nails, cleaning and drying their ears, eyes, tail, muzzle, and paws to avoid bad smell. 

Proper Visits To The Veterinarian

As important as a good hygiene regimen is, so is visiting your vet regularly to answer the big question of “why do Goldendoodles smell?” Even though it can be fairly simple for you to pinpoint where the bad smell is coming from, there’s only so much you can know about dental or digestive issues. 

If the solution to the stink problem isn’t as simple as bathing regularly, pay a visit to your vet and let them know about everything you’ve noticed. Is it bad breath? Are your Doodle’s ears smelly? Do they fart a lot? Your veterinarian will be able to diagnose any medical issues and prescribe an appropriate treatment plan. 

Comparison With Other Breeds

Do Labradoodles Smell?

Labradoodles can smell just as much as any other dog. A bad diet, allergies, bad hygiene, dental issues and skin infections can all cause unpleasant smell in Labradoodles.

Do Bernedoodles Smell?

Bernese Mountain Dogs have straighter and more shedding coats. If a Bernedoodle inherits more traits from the Bernese Mountain Dog parent – straighter hair in particular – they might need less bathing to keep them smelling good.

Do Poodles Smell?

Since Poodles shed a lot less than most other dog breeds, they usually need more bathing, as well. Because of their tight curls, dirt can get trapped inside their hair more easily. Consequently, dirt tends to make Poodles and all other dogs stinky. However, Poodles generally do not have a distinct doggy smell like some other breeds do.

Frequently Asked Questions on Do Goldendoodles Smell

In conclusion, a slight doggy odor is absolutely normal. But, if hanging out with your Doodle has become torturous to your nose, it’s time to take some action. Luckily, with a little bit of care and attention you can easily prevent and treat your Goldendoodle’s stinky smell.