Keeping Your Long-Haired Dogs Flea and Tick Free: A Guide from Island Grove Pet Kennels

Jun 10, 2025

Long-haired breeds like Bernedoodles, Goldendoodles, Bernese Mountain dogs, and Golden Retrievers require extra vigilance when it comes to flea and tick prevention. Their dense, often curly coats create perfect hiding spots for parasites and make detection more challenging than with short-haired breeds.

Why Long-Haired Breeds Need Special Attention

Dense coats create warm, humid environments that fleas and ticks love, while making it harder to spot infestations early. Bernedoodles and Goldendoodles with curly Poodle genetics can trap parasites more easily, while Bernese Mountain dogs’ and Golden Retrievers’ double coats provide deep hiding spots.

Prevention is Key

Use year-round flea and tick preventatives recommended by your veterinarian – prevention is always easier than treating infestations. Keep your environment clean by cutting grass short, removing debris, and regularly washing bedding. Make frequent brushing part of your routine, as grooming helps detect parasites early while keeping coats healthy.

How to Check Effectively

Develop a systematic inspection routine starting at the head and working backward. Focus on high-risk areas where parasites commonly hide: around ears, neck, armpits, groin, and between toes. Use your fingers to part thick fur and examine the skin closely.

For flea detection, use a fine-toothed flea comb and look for “flea dirt” (small black specks that turn reddish-brown when moistened). For ticks, run your hands slowly through the coat feeling for small bumps that could indicate attached parasites.

Removal and Treatment

Remove ticks immediately using fine-tipped tweezers, grasping as close to the skin as possible and pulling straight up with steady pressure. Don’t twist or crush the tick. For fleas, treat both the affected dog and environment since adult fleas represent only a small portion of the total population. Topical flea preventatives applied monthly to the dog’s skin are a great preventative, and oral medications can provide rapid help for existing infestations. Remember to consult your veterinarian to determine the most appropriate treatment plan based on your dog’s age, weight, and health status.

Our Recommendations

Bravecto is one of the best veterinarian prescribed and recommended treatments for fleas and ticks which offer your pet 12 weeks of parasite protection while also effectively breaking the flea life cycle. We use this medicine on our pets, and recommend it to anyone who purchases a puppy from us. There are many great options for flea and tick topical solutions like sprays and shampoos. Please reach out to us with any questions you have about flea and tick prevention and treatment!

Categories: Bernedoodles