When does an 'oodles puppy coat change to the adult coat?
An 'oodle pup goes through a coat change anywhere from 6 to 14 months of age, with 9 to 12 months being most common. Their super soft, thinner, fluffy, easy care puppy coat will transition into the adult coat, becoming high maintenance (at least in the short term). 6 to 12 months is therefore a common time a pup goes to a groomer for the first time. Introducing a puppy to grooming at a young age when everything's new, and before the coat is knotted or matted, is recommended. A good initial experience at the groomer will be important for a lifetime of stress-free grooming for your dog, you and your groomer.
Will the coat change colour or texture?
Yes, during the coat change the puppy coat is being replaced by the thicker adult coat, and coat texture and colour may change too. It may become less or more curly or wiry, the coat colour may darken or lighten, and the rate of shedding may change.
If you want to keep the coat long as an adult, you'll need to keep it free of knots. If you can't keep on top of the knots, keeping the coat a shorter length will make it much easier for you, and kinder for your dog - mats can hurt!
Can the coat change from non-shed to shedding?
All puppies tend to have a low or non-shed coat at first, even if they are a shedding breed. Some 'oodle pups change from a non-shed to a shedding coat when they get their adult coat. This is more common with first-cross 'oodles (eg: Poodle x Labrador), than with multi-generation 'oodles where both parents have non-shed fleece or wool coats, but an experienced breeder should be able to reliably predict the adult coat type for you when you adopt your puppy.
How often should I brush the coat and what brush should I use?
During the coat change, your pup's coat may become extremely prone to knots and mats, so daily brushing is highly recommended, moving to weekly longer-term. If not kept on top of, a pup's first visit to the groomer may result in the coat having to be cut very short to remove the mats.
Ideally before the coat change, you'll already have your pup used to daily or weekly brushing. When the coat starts to change, begin daily brushing and use a pin brush or slicker brush to help remove that stuck puppy coat and prevent knots forming. A bristle brush is popular for the thinner, shorter puppy coat, but won't remove knots and get down deep enough through the thicker, longer adult coat. A pin brush is recommended for an all-over body brush, using a grooming comb and slicker brush when tangles and knots are found. A detangler spray is recommended also to make knot-removal as pain-free and easy as possible.