Because your Goldendoodle is a mix between a Poodle and a Golden Retriever, she may have either straight, long hair, or her coat could be as curly as her Poodle parent! Short Goldendoodle haircuts are a cute way to keep your dog looking well-groomed, and we’ve put a collection of them together here.
Talk to your groomer and describe what you’d like for your dog, or bring in this guide and show the pros a picture. In some cases, you can even replicate these looks at home with a good pair of scissors and some quality clippers.
Whether you DIY or you have your Goldendoodle professionally pampered, she’ll look adorable in one of these short Goldendoodle haircuts.
Before reading this guide, “Best Short Goldendoodle Haircuts,” check out: Goldendoodle Grooming Guide (2023) – With Pictures! and How to Clean Goldendoodle Ear Hair? (2023).
Short Goldendoodle Haircuts: Before You Begin
We mentioned two options: you can go to the groomer for a professional haircut, or you can take a DIY approach. Should you choose to do it yourself, there are a few points to keep in mind.
First, grooming your dog doesn’t just mean clipping his hair. A professional groomer will also clean your Doodle’s ears, trim nails, express anal glands, brush teeth, and more!
If you’re not comfortable doing these things, it’s best to bring your dog to the groomer a few times each year. You can still do the haircuts at home — just let the groomer do the rest.
The second thing you’ll need to consider is equipment. Find a quality shampoo like our own We Love Doodles shampoo, which is specially formulated to clean and condition your dog’s hair.
Use the right brush — you’ll need a slicker brush and a pin brush for your Doodle — and prep their hair before you begin grooming. Sharp scissors and well-maintained clippers are also must-haves.
Finally, consider your dog! Is she prone to wiggles, or will she be impatient as you try to cut around her paw pads or her bottom? You may need to invest in a saddle for her, or even speak to your vet about other methods of calming your dog. A calm Goldendoodle makes for a better haircut!
Ready to begin? Here are the top short Goldendoodle haircuts for your dog.
Kennel Cut
The kennel cut is the first on our list of short Goldendoodle haircuts. It’s also known as the summer cut, and for good reason! When you give your pup a kennel cut, you’ll be cutting your dog’s hair short, and usually to an even length all over his body.
A kennel cut is a great option for pups who go to doggy daycare or board in a kennel. They’re low-maintenance, and your care provider will appreciate the no-fuss style while your pup is in their charge.
To achieve this cool summer look, choose a clipper guard that’s ultra-short, then go to town! Quality, oiled clippers make it virtually impossible to mess up, provided the guard is securely fastened.
Note that each of these Goldendoodle cuts begins with a clean, brushed coat. Remove all the tangles and blow dry your dog (if she’ll tolerate it).
If your dog is matted in any areas, trim these areas with scissors first. If mats get stuck in your clipper blades, they will pull and hurt your pup. The good news is that the kennel cut is short — it’s virtually impossible to cut it too short.
When all the tangles are removed, use the clippers and begin at your pup’s back and shoulders. Work your way down to his rump, then slowly clip along your dog’s sides and belly.
Your Doodle’s tail should be trimmed short, too, but you may need to use scissors. The same is true for trimming the hair between paw pads. Do this carefully so as not to accidentally injure your baby.
Poodle Cut
If your dog inherited her Poodle parent’s characteristics, a Poodle cut may work best. Poodle cuts are adorable haircuts that allow your pup to retain a bit of “fluff” while keeping them looking sharp and well-groomed.
The Poodle cut is similar in execution to the kennel cut, but your clipper blade guard will be set longer. The hair on your dog’s legs, back, and belly will be cut uniformly, while your dog’s face, ears, and tail can retain a bit of “poof.”
Give your pup a crown, if you like, by trimming around the muzzle but leaving length on top of her head.
Poodle cuts aren’t tricky to maintain, but your dog may need the occasional trim to keep her looking her show-dog best! Even better, you can customize the ‘do however you like. Leave length around her elbows, her muzzle, or anywhere else, and design your dog’s cut the way you like best.
Lion Cut
Want your pup to stand out in a crowd? If your dog has inherited Golden Retriever genes, he may have long, straight hair. The lion cut is perfect for this type of hair, so why not give it a shot?
A lion cut is somewhat easy to achieve, but you may need a second set of eyes to ensure that the cut is straight. Start with your dog’s topknot and give him a clean-shaven look around his face.
Leave a “mane” around his neck, and then use your clippers for the remainder of his body. You can keep the length on your dog’s tail, or you can clip it close.
The lion cut isn’t for everyone. But you’ll certainly turn a few heads with short Goldendoodle haircuts like this one! We can all but guarantee your dog will have the most unique hairdo in the neighborhood.
Puppy Cut
The puppy cut isn’t too different from the kennel cut, except you’ll leave a little more length to your dog’s hair. Puppy cuts are absolutely adorable, and this cut will give your Goldendoodle a teddy bear-like appearance.
The puppy cut is one of the short Goldendoodle haircuts that’s easy to manage during the in-between months — just brush and wash on a regular basis. To get the look you want, follow the steps above to create a kennel cut, but leave the clipper guard on a longer length.
Your dog’s face, too, should have a bit of extra length. Fluff around his eyebrows and his muzzle will give him an adorable, puppy-like appearance.
You may have to change your blade guards while you give your dog this cut, as the hair on your dog’s body may be left a bit shorter than the hair on his head, tail, and face. Use scissors to trim the hair around your pup’s bottom and between his paw pads to finish off the look.
Full Shave
There are a few reasons you may opt to give your Goldendoodle a full shave. Maybe his hair was matted from a long weekend camping. Perhaps he picked up a few fleas. Maybe your region is known for its hot weather. Or maybe you just want a zero-fuss hairstyle that will be easy to maintain.
The full shave is the easiest of the short Goldendoodle haircuts to style, as all you’ll do is, well, shave your pup. Keep a blade guard on your clippers, but keep the length very short. Then, beginning at your dog’s shoulders and working your way to his other areas, clip away.
It’s important to note that like all dogs, Goldendoodles are prone to sunburn. Invest in a good sunscreen formulated for dogs to prevent discomfort if your pup spends a lot of time outdoors.
If your dog likes to go outside, hike with you, or go swimming, a full shave may be optimal. This cut is all but impossible to mat, and maintenance is super easy. Just use a rubber brush on your dog’s coat to remove dead hair and tiny tangles — your pup will be cool and comfortable all summer long.
Lamb Cut
Last on our list of the best short Goldendoodle haircuts is the lamb cut. This is an adorable little haircut that your Goldendoodle will love. It’s cool in the warmer months, doesn’t require a lot of upkeep, and is fairly easy to style.
To create a lamb cut, you’ll want to leave the hair on your Goldendoodle’s legs a little longer than the hair on his body. This will give his legs a fluffy, lamb-like appearance, and you can make it as long or as short as you like.
The cut typically works best for dogs with curly-haired Poodle genes, and you’ll love the way it looks when it’s brushed out and a little bit frizzy.
If you choose the lamb cut for your pup, you’ll want to check the dog’s hair from time to time. Trim his hair up as needed to keep the cut looking neat and uniform across his body.
Frequently Asked Questions
The puppy cut, or teddy bear cut, is one of the most popular choices for Goldendoodles.
For a shorter length, go for a lamb cut to keep your Goldendoodle’s hair nice and tidy.
You can avoid unpleasant surprises at the groomer by breaking down how long or short you want your dog’s head, body, leg, and tail.
Conclusion for “Best Short Goldendoodle Haircuts”
Some haircuts, like the lion cut, are excellent for Goldendoodles that inherited their Golden Retriever parent’s coat. Other cuts, like the lamb cut, are great for curly-haired pups. Whichever genes your dog has inherited, your pup is going to love the feel of these cool, short haircuts for Goldendoodles, especially in the summer months!
Whether you choose to take a do-it-yourself approach to grooming your dog, or you bring your pup to a groomer, these short Doodle cuts are easy to maintain and style.
For more guides similar to this list showing short Goldendoodle haircuts, check out:
- Types of Goldendoodle Colors – With Pictures! (2023)
- How Much Does a Goldendoodle Cost? (2023)
- Which Goldendoodle Size? Mini, Medium, Standard! (2023)
Learn more by watching “Grooming a Goldendoodle “AT HOME” down below:
Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
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