Labradoodle Haircuts and Style Guide

Choosing the right style for your Labradoodle should be simple and stress-free.

This guide shows you the most popular Labradoodle haircut options, how to pick the best one for your dog, and the care steps that keep your dog’s coat healthy and comfy.

Key takeaways

• Coat type decides the best style and the upkeep. Wool, fleece, or hair coats all need different care.

• The top 5 styles for Labradoodles are the teddy bear cut, puppy cut, summer cut, kennel cut, and lamb cut.

• Prevention beats cure. Daily checks with a slicker brush and comb help prevent a mat or tangle.

• Pre‑groom before baths, do proper ear care, and tidy-ups around the face to reduce problems and even help your groomer do neater work.

• Choose a low-maintenance cut if you are busy or if your Labradoodle spends a lot of time outdoors.

The Labradoodle coat will always come in three types. Each coat type changes how a haircut will sit and how often you need to groom them.

• Wool coat. Tight curls like a Poodle. Often low shedding, more prone to matting, needs regular grooming and careful drying.

• Fleece coat. Soft wavy fleece that looks plush. Versatile styling and usually the most popular look.

• Hair coat. Straighter like a Labrador Retriever, sometimes sheds more and needs less clipping, more brushing.

For coat specifics, see our Labradoodle breed guide. For coat genetics and what drives texture, this primer helps: 'What is a Labradoodle?'

Many styles are inspired by Poodles, so the Poodle breed guide is a useful background resource as well.

These links explain fleece, wool, and hair, plus how the Labrador Retriever and Poodle mix shapes your dog’s coat and grooming styles.

These styles are consistently recommended by pro sources and salons for Labradoodles.

There is a lovely guide with pictures and instructions on grooming a Labradoodle here.

1. The teddy bear cut

This is many owners’ “favourite Labradoodle haircuts” pick. The body has a neat medium length of the cut, and the hair is shaped neatly around the face, with tidy ear hair. The muzzle is rounded, giving that soft, friendly expression.

• Best on a fleece or wool coat for a naturally plush finish.

• Upkeep. Daily brushing in tangle zones, plus a thorough comb-out every few days to prevent mats.

• Ask your professional groomer to keep the head a touch “longer than the body” and to blend the cheeks for a smooth outline.

2. The puppy cut

Simple, practical, and cute. One even trim all over, with lengths of about 1 to 2 cm for a neat finish. This haircut involves trimming the entire coat to a single guard length, so it is very consistent.

• Good for any types of Labradoodle coats, including the hair coat.

• Low fuss for every Labradoodle owner who wants easy care between visits.

• Keeps the coat clean and makes it easy to spot any skin issues early.

3. The summer cut

This is the cooler option for warm months. The body is kept short, sometimes quite close to the skin, with the face softened so your Labradoodle keeps that friendly expression. Great when your dog’s hair traps mud and dries slowly.

• Ideal if your dog spends a lot of time outdoors or swims often.

• Very low-maintenance cut with a quick bath and easy towel dry.

• Good for Labradoodle puppy stages when you are still building a routine.

4. The kennel cut

The practical “holiday” clip. A very short, even body cut that stays tidy for weeks. The whole coat is kept short, which reduces debris, drying time, and tangles. Think of it as the no-nonsense tidy that lets skin breathe and makes brushing simple.

• Perfect for busy homes and dogs with a lot of time outdoors.

• A smart “reset” if the coat is matted or if you missed a few regular grooming sessions.

• Often similar to the short clip, easy to grow out as the hair grows in.

5) The lamb cut

A stylish favourite. The lamb cut leaves the legs fuller, with a tidy shorter body. The result is playful and neat, with bounce in the legs and an easy-care trunk.

• Great for wavy fleece coats or Labradoodle wool textures.

• Lovely shaggy look on the legs without the daily high-maintenance of a long clip.

• Often chosen as the best Labradoodle haircut to balance looks and care.

• Lion cut. Dramatic mane, short body, statement tail puff. Fun but needs confidence and upkeep.

• Mohawk cut. A stripe of longer hair along the spine. A cheeky twist that can sit over a short clip.

• Asian fusion. Rounded feet, flared legs, a “doughnut” muzzle. High style, higher maintenance.

• Long clip. A longer pet trim for a flowing shaggy coat. Suits owners who love daily care.

• Face tidy only. A neat trim around eyes, mouth, and pads while you decide on the full choice for Labradoodles styling.

What is your dog’s coat type and lifestyle?

• Wool coats and dense curls need more regular grooming and strict drying to prevent mats. Shorter styles help.

• Fleece that is wavy is flexible, so a teddy bear cut or lamb cut both work well.

• The hair coat, which is a type of coat that the Labrador has, is better with a short length cut and tidy rather than sculpted legs.

How much time do you have for home care?

• Minimal time? Pick summer cut or kennel cut so the Labradoodle will look neat with weekly brushing.

• Love daily care routines? Try a longer hair finish, like a plush teddy bear cut.

Will this be your first salon visit?

• Ask for a clear “pet trim” with guard lengths.

• Bring photos. Say where you want the coat “kept short” and where you prefer it longer.

• Tell the salon whether your Labradoodle tolerates brushing. It helps your groomer set realistic expectations and treatment lengths.

Pre-groom care helps every style last longer and keeps skin healthy.

1. Bathing before a clip

Use lukewarm water, dog shampoo, and rinse fully. This how‑to is handy if you are new to it - see our post on how to bathe a dog.

2. Brushing kit

• Slicker brush for surface knots and fluffing.

• Metal comb to find hidden snags.

• A simple grooming kit with blunt‑tip scissors for eye corners and paw fur.

3. Brushing method

• Work in layers from the skin out.

• Check friction zones daily. Armpits, collar line, behind ears, tail base.

• If any tangle stops the comb. Ease it out.

• Never rip through, you'll hurt your pet!

• If you feel a mat, do not wet it. Dry mats get tighter when wet.

4. Ear and face hygiene

Floppy ears trap moisture. Keep them clean with this gentle guide to how to clean your dog’s ears. Tidy stray ear hair only if your vet or groomer advises plucking.

5. Schedule

• Wool or dense fleece. Regular grooming sessions every 4 to 6 weeks with a professional groomer.

• Hair coats. 6 to 10 weeks works well with weekly brushing.

6. Shedding notes

Many Labradoodles are little to moderately shedding dogs. Even so, they need to be groomed regularly. Trims help skin health and prevent tight mats on active dogs.

7. Health cover for grooming mishaps

Coat problems can lead to skin infections or ear issues. For peace of mind, consider Labradoodle pet insurance.

Which is the easiest style to look after?

A kennel cut or summer cut. Both are similar to the short clip, dry fast, and make grooming your Labradoodle simple.

Which cut shows off curls and stays practical?

The lamb cut. The cut involves trimming the body short and leaving legs fuller. A smart balance of style and care.

How often should I book?

Plan regular grooming every 4 to 8 weeks, depending on the length of the cut and how often you brush.

Will my dog’s coat change as they age?

Yes. Whether your Labradoodle has a puppy coat or adult coat, the texture can shift at about 8 to 14 months. Adjust your plan if you see that the haircut involves trimming more or less as curls settle.

With the right plan, every Labradoodle can be tidy, comfy, and happy. Pick a style that suits your routine, keep up light daily care, and your Labradoodle will be looking their best year-round.