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Caring for Cavoodles: 5 Expert Grooming Tips for Curly-Coated Breeds

Curl-coated breeds like Cavoodles may be cute beyond compare, but their coats are anything but low-maintenance. These affectionate, intelligent dogs bring joy to countless Australian homes, but their unique coats require a thoughtful grooming routine to keep them healthy, tangle-free and looking their best.

As the founder of
MyCavoodle, an online brand specialising in grooming products for Cavoodles and Oodle mixes, Bella Moro has seen first-hand how many dog owners struggle with matting, coat changes and grooming anxiety — both for the dog and the owner. 

Over time, she's learnt that grooming isn’t just about appearance — it’s about building trust, supporting wellbeing, and helping owners feel confident in caring for their dogs at home between professional appointments.

Whether you're a first-time Cavoodle parent or have a curly-coated companion of another breed, here are her five essential grooming tips to help you care for your dog’s coat like a pro.

1. Understand Your Dog’s Coat Type Before You Begin

Not all Cavoodles have the same coat. Some have a straighter fleece coat, while others develop a tighter wool coat more similar to a Poodle. 

Puppies often start with a soft, fluffy coat that transitions into a more mature texture around 6–12 months old — a phase where matting becomes common, they shed their puppy coat and it can feel quite course and look dull.

Understanding your dog’s coat type helps you choose the right tools and grooming routine

For example, fleece coats benefit from regular brushing with a slicker brush and a metal comb to catch hidden knots, while wool coats may need more frequent trims and detangling to prevent painful matting close to the skin.

If your Cavoodle has suddenly started knotting despite regular brushing, chances are the adult coat is starting to grow in — and it’s time to adjust your routine accordingly.

2. Create a Weekly At-Home Grooming Ritual

You don’t need to be a professional groomer to maintain a healthy coat at home. What you do need is consistency, a good leave in conditioner, slicker and comb!


A weekly ritual that includes brushing, inspecting problem areas, and gentle cleaning with some scissors can help you catch issues early and make grooming less stressful for everyone.

Key areas to focus on:

✔️ Behind the ears

✔️ Under the collar or harness line

✔️ Armpits and groin area

✔️ Under the chin and around the mouth

✔️ Legs and tail base

Use a leave-in conditioner that’s safe for dogs, especially after walks or play. It’ll soften the coat, reduce friction from brushing, and make it easier to work through small tangles before they become larger mats. 


A slicker brush followed by a wide-tooth comb is ideal for most curly breeds. If the comb doesn’t glide through easily, there’s likely still a knot hidden deeper in the coat.

3. Bathe Thoughtfully — But Not Too Often & NEVER let them air dry!

Bathing your Cavoodle too often or with cheap shampoos can strip their coat of natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation. A good rule of thumb is once every 3–4 weeks, or sooner if they’ve rolled in something unpleasant (as Cavoodles love to do)!


But from community research Bella has found her Cavoodle customers bath their pups every 1-2 weeks as this breed sleeps in their bed, on their furniture and are part of the family. 

So she explains why the products she developed for mycavoodle are super gentle, pH-balanced and specifically formulated for dogs with sensitive skin so it can be used more frequently as the ingredients used in them are premium, soothing and super hydrating. Her products contain natural ingredients like coconut oil, aloe vera, vitamin e, and more to help soothe and nourish the coat and skin.

If your dog is prone to itchy skin or odour between washes, a spritz of
cologne spray or her leave-in conditioner which can be used on a dry coat between washes is a great way to keep them smelling clean without overwashing.

After bathing, dry your dog thoroughly with a high-quality pet dryer on a low heat setting. Curly coats that dry unevenly or stay damp are prone to knotting and “wet dog smell.” A quick towel-dry followed by gentle air drying or blow-drying with brushing can prevent this. 

She recommends you don’t let your oodle ever airdry, she swears by her professional grooming dryer, its faster and cuts drying time in half. 

Plus one thing a lot of people don’t know about Oodle breeds is they can be quite sensitive to loud noises so a dryer with adjustable settings is the way to go!

4. Master the Art of Brushing Out — Not Just Over

One of the most common mistakes owners make is brushing over the top of the coat rather than into it. This surface-level brushing might make the coat look neat for a day, but it doesn’t remove knots or prevent matting near the skin.

To properly brush a curly coat, use a technique called “line brushing.” Starting at the feet and working upwards, part the coat in small sections and brush from the skin outwards. It may take longer, but it ensures you’re reaching the problem areas where mats often form. 

Finish by combing through the entire coat with a metal comb. If it doesn’t glide through smoothly, go back in with your slicker and work on those areas again.

Always be gentle and reward your dog throughout with calm praise or small treats. Over time, this turns grooming into a bonding activity rather than a chore — something I’ve found especially helpful with our own Cavoodles, Bambi and Daisy.

5. Don’t Wait Until There’s a Problem!

Prevention is far easier (and less painful) than fixing a matted coat. If your Cavoodles curls are starting to clump, or you’re struggling to brush through certain areas, it’s time to take action. Waiting too long can lead to discomfort, skin irritation or even the need for a full shave-down at the groomer.

Book in regular professional grooms every 4-6 weeks if you like a fluffier Cavoodle look and ask your groomer for feedback on how the coat is tracking. Are there areas that are consistently matted? Are you using the right tools? A good groomer will be happy to guide you — but it’s your daily care that will make the biggest difference.

Cavoodles may be one of Australia’s most beloved breeds, but their beautiful coats require a level of care that’s often underestimated. With the right tools, routine, and knowledge, grooming can shift from a frustrating experience into a meaningful ritual — one that nurtures your bond, your dog’s health and their happiness.

Written by Bella Moro from Mycavoodle.com.au, August 2025 for Australian Dog Lover (all rights reserved).


Photography Credit: Mycavoodle.com.au

About our writer

MyCavoodle Founder Bella Moro 
with Bambi and Daisy
Bella Moro is the Sydney-born founder of MyCavoodle.com.au, an Australian niche eCommerce brand dedicated to grooming solutions for Cavoodle and Oodle breeds. 

A marketing manager turned dog mum and business owner, Bella launched the brand after struggling to find products suitable for her own Cavoodles’ sensitive skin and coat requirements. Today, MyCavoodle has become a trusted name for premium, breed-specific grooming care, with a passionate community of cavoodle parents across Australia and beyond.

You can find Bella sharing behind-the-scenes tips, grooming tips and adorable Cavoodle content on Instagram and her website.

Website: https://www.mycavoodle.com.au/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mycavoodle.com.au

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