“Doodle” covers a wide range of Poodle mixes, from Goldendoodles to Labradoodles to Cockapoos, but the same handful of named styles apply across nearly all of them. For the full picture on grooming styles, see Dog Grooming Styles: A Complete Guide.
The Teddy Bear Cut: The Default Doodle Look
The most popular and most requested style across every Doodle breed. The body is trimmed to roughly 1 to 2 inches, with the face left slightly longer and rounded for the plush, stuffed-animal look the style is named for.
There’s no single standard definition of “Teddy Bear Cut,” so groomers will typically ask about your preferred length directly rather than assume. It needs brushing around three times a week and a fresh groom every 6 to 8 weeks to hold its shape.
The Puppy Cut
A uniform, even length across the entire body, usually 1 to 2 inches, giving a rounded, cuddly shape without the more deliberate face-shaping of a true Teddy Bear Cut. It’s forgiving between grooms and can often stretch to 8 to 10 weeks.
The Kennel (or Summer) Cut
Trims the whole coat very short, typically under half an inch to an inch, including the face, legs, and tail. It’s the lowest-maintenance option and a favorite for active dogs or hot climates, and can often stretch 10 to 12 weeks between appointments.
Don’t shave all the way to bare skin even with this style. The AKC notes that a dog’s coat helps regulate temperature and shields skin from sun, so some coverage should stay even on the shortest clip.
The Lamb Cut
Keeps the body coat longer and fluffier (2 to 3 inches) while trimming the legs shorter, creating a deliberate contrast. It takes more skill to blend the two lengths smoothly and needs grooming every 6 to 8 weeks to keep the contrast looking intentional rather than uneven.
The Lion Cut
A teddy-bear-style front end paired with a shaved rear end behind the ribs and a pom-pom left at the tip of the tail, giving the dog a genuine lion-like silhouette. It’s one of the more distinctive, attention-getting Doodle styles.
Mohawk and Mullet Styles
Built on top of another base style, usually a kennel cut, these leave a strip of longer hair down the center of the head and back while keeping the rest of the body short, adding a playful, styled element to an otherwise low-maintenance cut.
Choosing by Activity Level and Climate
High-energy, outdoor dogs generally do better in shorter styles like the Puppy, Kennel, or Summer Cut, since less coat means less debris and matting after outdoor activity.
Calmer, mostly-indoor dogs can carry the fluffier Teddy Bear or Lamb Cut more easily, since there’s less daily wear working against the coat.
Common Mistakes
Shaving all the way to the skin for a “summer cut.” Some coat coverage still protects against sunburn and helps regulate body temperature.
Choosing a long, contrast-heavy style like the Lamb Cut without the brushing commitment. The longer sections mat considerably faster than a uniform short cut.
Not specifying an exact length when requesting a “Teddy Bear Cut.” Since there’s no fixed definition, vague requests often lead to a result that doesn’t match what you pictured.
FAQ
How often do Doodles need professional grooming?
Every 6 to 8 weeks for most styles, stretching to 10 to 12 weeks for a short Kennel Cut.
Which Doodle style needs the least brushing?
The Kennel or Summer Cut, since the short, uniform length gives loose hair little room to tangle or mat.
Can I mix styles, like a Teddy Bear face with a Kennel Cut body?
Yes, this combination is genuinely common and gives a practical, low-maintenance body with a softer, more classic Doodle face.
The Bottom Line
Doodle styles range from a fully low-maintenance Kennel Cut to a genuinely involved Lamb or Lion Cut, and the right one comes down to your dog’s activity level and how much brushing you’ll realistically keep up with. For more grooming styles, head back to Dog Grooming Styles: A Complete Guide.
