Boy Dog Beauty Techniques

[Marnie, Stanlee's Mom]

So here is a question for you doodle owners with boy dogs: (so glad my husband doesn't come on here or he would TOTALLY diss me on this); Stanlee’s eyebrows are getting longer and sometimes they cover his eyes making it a tad more difficult to see – or so I tell myself – do you pull back the hair with barrettes or ribbons so that you can see your dog’s beautiful eyes?  My husband says…..oh never mind, this isn’t the place for HIS comments.

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

I trim Haley's with thinning shears (purchased from a beauty supply house).  I snip little clumps close to his head, then a little further out.  I keep doing this untill the hair no longer falls over his eyes. The thinning shears give a more natural look.

[Marnie, Stanlee's Mom]

OOOOOOOO, nice!  If my husband give Stan a complex I just may do this!  I love they way the hair "parts" over his eyes in your avatar.

[Diane, Baker & Oskar]

just carefully trim them until his next grooming...

[Marnie, Stanlee's Mom]

I have not yet had the heart to cut any of his hair except for between the pads of his feet.  If I do start cutting his hair, he will get the "schnauzer" face due to his coat type.

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

We had this issue, too. Jack's hair would grow over his eyes and I could barely see them! The last time this happened, we did have a grooming appointment scheduled, but in the meantime we turned to the MANCLIP! Yes, I got a lot of flack (and laughs) from my family! Jack didn't mind at all! When it has grown really long, my daughter has french braided it back and it stays out of his eyes. Poor Jack is a real trooper!

 

"While sunning himself with Mr. Chicken, Jack appears confident with his Manclip!"

[Marnie, Stanlee's Mom]

YES!!!!  I purchased some of the squeeze clips but was afraid if they fell out Stanlee would eat them and as they have metal "springs" in the middle I threw them into a drawer and forgot about them because i didn't want it to tear up any of his innards.  I purchased the plastic children's barrettes that come in an array of lovely colors.  I'll snap some pictures as soon as I can, puppy class starts tonight so I won't be home until late.

 

BTW, that picture is priceless!

[Adina P]

No way dood!  I just trim the hair.

[Marnie, Stanlee's Mom]

I can't yet - his hair isn't as thick as some of the fleecy-coated dogs so I don't think we will ever have the problem of him looking like my favorite cartoon character, Sam:

 

[Adina P]

I don't understand.  If the hair is long enough to cover his eyes, then it's long enough to trim.  Am I missing something?  maybe a photo of Stanlee is what we need.  YES...  show us the cutie pie!

[Marnie, Stanlee's Mom]

I don't want to cut his hair at all, want to keep his coat natural.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Eventually you have to cut the hair. It keeps growing and might reach the floor. Long before that it becomes impossible to keep from matting and the mats pull at the skin, no fun at all. The doodles entire face would be obscured too. These dogs are not natural but were bred by people and they do need to be groomed by people. 

[Marnie, Stanlee's Mom]

Just like briards and bearded collies I don’t want to trim the hair around his eyes if I don’t have to.  His coat is very similar to an IWH so I don’t think it will grow terribly long like the other two breeds. He doesn't have a thick, curly coat and I brush his coat out every day; so far no matting what-so-ever.  Again, I don't want to trim his hair but if it comes down to it I will.  His healthy and comfort will always come first and a half.

 

(Looking for a recent photo on this PC, will post ASAP)