Australian Labradoodle Coat Types: Wool, Fleece, and Hair
Australian Labradoodles come in three Australian Labradoodle coat types: fleece, wool, and hair. Only fleece and wool meet the official breed standard set by the ALAA, ALCA, and WALA, and only those two are considered allergy-friendly. Fleece is soft and wavy or lightly curly, similar in texture to an Angora goat. Wool is denser and tightly curled, similar to lamb’s wool. Hair is the original Labrador-style coat, sheds noticeably, and is considered a major fault in the breed standard. Modern multigenerational Australian Labradoodles rarely produce hair coats because breeders have selected against them for decades. At Bestland Australian Labradoodles in Rome, GA, every parent dog is genetically tested for the Improper Coat (IC) marker, so the families we work with know exactly what coat to expect from their puppy.
Here is a complete look at each coat type, how they differ in feel, grooming, and shedding, and how to know what coat your puppy will grow into.
Quick Coat Type Comparison
Feature | Fleece | Wool | Hair |
Texture | Soft, silky, Angora-like | Dense, lamb’s wool, plush | Smooth, dog-like |
Pattern | Wavy or loose curls | Tight spiral curls | Straight or wavy |
Shedding | Low to non-shedding | Low to non-shedding | Moderate to heavy |
Allergy Friendly | Yes | Yes | No |
Brushing Frequency | 2 to 3 times per week | 2 to 3 times per week | Weekly |
Professional Grooming | Every 6 to 8 weeks | Every 6 to 8 weeks | Less frequent, mostly bathing |
Breed Standard | Accepted | Accepted | Major fault |
Common In | Multigen Australian Labradoodles | Multigen Australian Labradoodles | F1, F1B Labradoodles |
The Fleece Coat: The Most Common and Most Sought-After
The fleece coat is the most popular Australian Labradoodle coat type, and for good reason. It is soft to the touch, low to non-shedding, easy to maintain, and considered the most allergy-friendly of the three. The texture is often compared to that of an Angora goat: silky, light, and flowing. When the dog moves, the fleece moves with it, giving the coat a soft “swing.”
Fleece coats come in two main variations:
Wavy Fleece. Long, flowing waves that drape rather than curl. This is one of the most common adult coat presentations. Wavy fleece is the easiest to brush through and the least prone to matting if maintained on a regular brushing schedule.
Curly Fleece (Spiral Fleece). Soft spiral curls that form looser ringlets. When grown out, curly fleece can drop into beautiful, well-formed staples. The curls are softer than a wool coat and have more visible movement.
Both versions are accepted under the breed standard, and both are considered allergy-friendly. Most families with mild to moderate allergies do well with a fleece-coated Australian Labradoodle.
The Wool Coat: Curly, Plush, and Lamb-Like
The wool coat is the curliest and densest of the accepted coat types. The texture resembles lamb’s wool: tight, plush spirals that grow in defined ringlets. Unlike fleece, wool does not have visible “movement” when the dog runs. The curl pattern is more uniform and structured.
Key things to know about wool coats:
- They are the least shedding of the three coat types
- They are excellent for households with significant allergies or asthma
- They require slightly more grooming attention to prevent matting between curls
- The coat does not pick up debris as easily as a longer fleece
- They tend to keep the “doodle look” longer between professional grooms
Wool coats are sometimes mistaken for poodle coats, but they should hang in loose, hollow spirals rather than lying tight and dense against the skin. A wool coat that looks too thick or too tight is actually a fault under the breed standard.
The ideal Australian Labradoodle coat, fleece or wool, should give the impression of a fleece in type rather than dog hair. The breed was developed specifically to produce these coats consistently.
The Hair Coat: Why It Is Considered a Faul
The hair coat is the original Labrador-style coat that shows up most often in early-generation Labradoodles (F1 and F1B) and rarely in true multigenerational Australian Labradoodles. The texture is smooth, sometimes wiry, and lies closer to the skin. It can be straight, wavy, or fluffy.
Hair coats:
- Shed in varying degrees, sometimes heavily
- May produce a noticeable “dog odor”
- Are not considered allergy-friendly
- Are listed as a major fault in the ALAA, ALCA, and WALA breed standards
- Still plays a role in genetics for some breeders working with early lines
Because the breed standard treats hair coats as undesirable, responsible multigen breeders test for the Improper Coat (IC) gene and pair their dogs to avoid producing hair-coated puppies. In a true multigenerational Australian Labradoodle line, hair coats are now extremely rare. If you see one in a litter labeled “Australian Labradoodle,” it is worth asking the breeder about the lineage and the parents’ coat genetics.
For more on what separates a multigen line from earlier crosses, see our guide on what makes a multigenerational Australian Labradoodle.
Wavy Fleece vs. Curly Fleece vs. Wool: Side-by-Side
Choosing between coat types comes down to personal preference, allergy sensitivity, and how much grooming attention you want to give. Here is how the three primary accepted coats compare:
Feature | Wavy Fleece | Curly Fleece | Wool |
Curl Pattern | Loose waves | Soft spirals | Tight, defined curls |
Movement | Most movement | Some movement | Minimal movement |
Look at Length | Flowing and shaggy | Soft ringlets | Plush and dense |
Allergy Friendliness | Excellent | Excellent | Best |
Matting Risk | Moderate | Moderate to high | High if neglected |
Easiest to Brush | Easiest | Moderate | Hardest |
Holds Style Between Grooms | Loses shape faster | Holds shape | Holds shape longest |
There is no “best” coat. Wavy fleece is often the easiest entry point for first-time owners. Wool is the safest bet for serious allergy households. Curly fleece sits comfortably in the middle.
Grooming Each Coat Type
Whichever coat your Australian Labradoodle has, regular grooming is non-negotiable. Plan for these routines:
Daily and weekly:
- Brush 2 to 3 times per week with a slicker brush and metal comb
- Check ears weekly and clean as needed (Australian Labradoodles are prone to ear wax buildup)
- Brush teeth several times a week
- Wipe paws and underbelly after wet-weather walks
Every 6 to 8 weeks:
- Professional grooming appointment for trim, sanitary clip, ear plucking, and nail trim
- Plan for $80 to $150 per appointment, depending on your area and the size of your dog
Coat-specific tips:
- Fleece coats mat where they rub: behind ears, under arms, around the collar, and along the back legs. Focus there.
- Wool coats require thorough comb-throughs to reach the skin. A surface brush is not enough.
- Avoid blow-drying when possible. Air drying preserves the natural curl pattern and reduces frizz.
- Use gentle, dog-specific shampoos. Australian Labradoodles can have sensitive skin.
How Coat Genetics Work: The Improper Coat (IC) Test
Coat type is largely determined by genetics, and there is a specific test that responsible breeders run on every parent dog. The Improper Coat (IC) gene controls whether a puppy will inherit the desired furnishings (the longer hair on the muzzle and eyebrows that gives the breed its signature look) and the allergy-friendly coat. Two carriers of the IC gene can produce a hair-coated puppy.
A breeder who tests every parent for IC, and pairs only clear-to-carrier or clear-to-clear dogs will not produce hair-coated puppies. This is one of the practical reasons health and genetic testing matters. Our overview of Australian Labradoodle health testing covers the full DNA panel and what each marker controls.
Coat Changes from Puppy to Adult
Australian Labradoodle coats change as the puppy matures, usually between 6 and 12 months of age. Puppy coats tend to be softer and slightly different in texture from adult coats. A wavy fleece puppy may develop tighter waves as an adult. A curly puppy may develop slightly looser curls. Some dogs go through a noticeable coat change during their first major shedding-out period as the puppy coat is replaced by the adult coat.
What the coat looks like at 8 to 9 weeks is a starting point, not a final answer. Looking at the parents and grandparents gives you a much better preview of what your puppy will look like as an adult, which is why visiting a breeder’s home and meeting the parent dogs matters. For more on what to look for in a puppy’s early environment, see our guide on home-raised vs. kennel-raised puppies.
Bestland's Approach to Coat Quality
Coat quality is personal for us. Marcela, our co-founder, has severe allergies, which is part of why we chose this breed and why we are unrelenting about coat consistency. Every Bestland parent dog is DNA tested for the Improper Coat marker and other breed-specific genetics. We selectively breed for non-shedding wavy fleece coats, which we have found to be both manageable and allergy-friendly for the families we work with.
You can meet our parent dogs, see our current and upcoming litters, or browse our grooming page and farm tour for a closer look at coat types in motion.
See and Feel the Difference for Yourself
Call or text 770-709-8497 and we will help you figure out which coat type fits your family’s allergy needs, lifestyle, and grooming preferences. With 15 years of breeding experience and ALCA-aligned standards, we serve families across Georgia, Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and nearby areas. Open House visits at our 40-acre farm in Rome, GA are the best way to see fleece, wool, and the difference between them in person.
