| BLOG OVERVIEW & KEY TAKEAWAYS Key Takeaway 1: The teddy bear cut leaves coat between 1 and 2 inches long with a rounded face and fluffy ears. It is one of the more forgiving cuts to attempt at home because its soft, rounded shape hides minor inconsistencies well. Key Takeaway 2: Mat removal before bathing is the most important prep step. Wetting a matted coat causes mats to tighten dramatically and become nearly impossible to remove. Always brush fully to the skin before any water contact. Key Takeaway 3: The face shaping is where the teddy bear look is made. Using curved scissors and trimming in small snips around the face to create a round, full shape is what separates a teddy bear cut from a basic body clip. |
Why Doodles Need More Grooming Than Most Dogs
Goldendoodles, Labradoodles, Bernedoodles, and other doodle breeds inherited the poodle’s low-shedding curly coat. Unlike dogs who shed and self-maintain their coat to some degree, doodles accumulate dead hair in their curls that mats without regular brushing and trimming every 6 to 8 weeks.
Professional grooming for doodles costs $80 to $150 per session in most markets. Owners who invest in the right tools and learn the technique can reduce this significantly.
The teddy bear cut is the most requested style for doodles and achievable at home with patience. This guide walks through each step.
More guides on the Shop With Pets blog. Contact us with questions.
Tools You Need
- Cordless dog clipper with #4 guide comb (leaves approx. 1 inch of coat). Quality brands include Andis, Wahl, and Oster.
- Curved grooming scissors (6 to 7 inch) for face shaping
- Straight scissors for finishing and detail work
- Slicker brush and metal comb for full brush-out
- Dog-specific shampoo and conditioner
- High-velocity or regular hair dryer for fluffing the coat post-bath
- Non-slip mat for the grooming surface
Step 1: Pre-Bath Brush-Out
Never bathe a matted dog. Work through the entire coat systematically with the slicker brush from skin outward, section by section. Follow with a metal comb to confirm you are through to the skin, not just smoothing the surface.
Pay close attention to: behind the ears, inside the elbows, under the collar, around the groin, and under the tail. These are the first areas to mat.
Remove any mats with a dematting comb or clip them out with scissors before introducing water.
Step 2: Bath and Thorough Dry
Shampoo from the neck back. Rinse completely. A leave-in conditioner helps with de-tangling and reduces static during the cut.
The blow-dry is critical for doodles. Drying while brushing straightens the curls, which is what allows the teddy bear cut to fall evenly. Use a dryer on warm to cool setting while brushing through the coat in sections until completely dry. Cutting damp coat produces uneven length.
Step 3: Body Clip
Using your clipper with the #4 guide comb, work from neck to tail following hair growth direction. Use long, confident strokes. Short choppy strokes create visible track lines.
- Clip the back from neck to tail root
- Clip the sides working from topline toward belly
- Clip the chest downward from the collar area
- Clip legs using upward strokes from paw to body to blend into the body coat
Step 4: Face and Head Shaping
This is where the teddy bear appearance is created. Switch to your curved scissors.
Comb all face fur outward from the nose. Using curved scissors, trim in small snips to shape the face into a round ball. Trim around the eyes so they are clearly visible but the fur remains full around them.
Round the ears at the bottom edge. Trim the beard and chin to blend with the head shape. The overall goal is a complete sphere of fur from any angle.
Step 5: Paw Tidying and Finishing
- Trim fur between paw pads with scissors or a small clipper to prevent slipping
- Trim the paw outline to a round, neat foot shape
- Tidy any flyaway hairs on the body or legs with straight scissors
- Clean up the sanitary areas around the groin and under the tail
Maintenance Between Full Grooms
Brush 3 to 5 times per week to prevent mat formation between 6 to 8 week groom cycles. Touch-up trims around the face and eyes every 3 to 4 weeks with scissors maintain the round face shape.
Q&A
Q: My coat looks choppy after clipping. How do I fix it?
Choppy coats typically result from short clipper strokes, cutting against the direction of hair growth, or cutting a damp coat. Practice long strokes moving with the hair growth. Thinning scissors blend track lines once the main clip is done.
Q: My dog will not stay still. What helps?
Build tolerance with the clipper off first, rewarding for standing still. Progress to clipper on but not touching, then clipper touching briefly. Short sessions with lots of breaks work better than marathon grooming attempts for anxious dogs.
| DISCLAIMER This article is for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute veterinary medical advice. Always consult a licensed veterinarian before changing your dog’s diet, supplements, or care routine. Shop With Pets is not liable for any outcomes from reliance on this content. Every dog is different. In a pet health emergency, contact your vet immediately. |
Sources and References:
- American Kennel Club, Dog Grooming by Coat Type. akc.org
- Beauchamp R. Poodle-Type Grooming for Companion Dogs. TFH Publications.
- National Dog Groomers Association of America, Grooming Standards.