Guide
Doodles, poodles and dogs that barely shed
The short answer
Poodles, doodles and bichons shed very little into the house, because loose hair stays caught in the coat. That hair turns into mats if it isn't brushed out. So the plan for these dogs is a brushing habit, not a cleaning routine, and most hair-removal products are a waste of money.
A curly-coated dog
Curly coats hold loose hair in the coat instead of dropping it. What little lands in the house is easy to deal with; what stays in the coat turns into mats that need clipping out.
Brush for a few minutes tonight with a comb or whatever brush you have, especially behind the ears, under the collar and in the armpits.
What you can stop doing
- Hair-removal tools, rollers and 'de-shedding' products. There's no undercoat to pull out.
What comes next
- Stray hair on fabric: a damp hand once a week is usually enough.
Only if you decide to buy something
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Which coat are you dealing with?
| Coat | What the hair does | Brushing, as a starting point |
|---|---|---|
| Long, straight coat Yorkshire Terrier, Cavalier King Charles, Shih Tzu, Maltese | Long strands that wrap around carpet fibres and vacuum rollers | A slicker and a steel comb, a few minutes most days, mainly to stop mats |
| Curly coat Poodle, Labradoodle, Cavoodle, Goldendoodle | Very little — loose hair stays in the coat and mats instead | A slicker brush, two or three times a week to stop matting |
| Wiry coat Schnauzer, West Highland Terrier, Scottish Terrier, Airedale | Coarse short hairs that are easy to pick up | A slicker, once or twice a week |
Starting points from long experience and published grooming and allergy guidance, not veterinary advice. Sudden heavy shedding, bald patches or sore skin: see a vet.