Labradoodle

Labradoodle coats mat easily. If left alone often mat into a solid, uncomfortable mass that must be shaved off entirely. Daily combing and brushing down to the skin will help prevent this, but many Labradoodle owners have a groomer clip their dog's hair short every 6 to 8 weeks to prevent matting entirely.

There’s no need to wait until your Labradoodle is filthy or stinky to bathe them. Most dogs do well with 1 to 3 baths monthly, though may be bathed as often as weekly, or as little as a few times a year depending on the dog. Make sure to comb or cut out any mats before bathing, since water makes mats even more difficult to remove. You can extend the time between your Labradoodle's baths with regular brushing and combing.

Get your Labradoodle used to having you handle their ears with praise and maybe a small treat. That will allow you to fold back the ear flap and look for issues -- a strong smell or wax buildup may indicate a problem. Ask your veterinary healthcare team to show you how to safely deep clean ear canals. At home, use a veterinary-approved ear-cleaning product. If your Labradoodle likes to get wet, use a product with a drying agent, applied after swimming.