Can I wait a little longer before grooming or should the mats come out right away?

[JoAnne Terry and Bella]

Help. I need some insight. Bella has a fleecy coat that I've let grow long for the winter. She will not let me brush her and she is out of control with mats. I know she will need to be shaved down and I'm ok with that but I was hoping to wait a little longer since we still have snow and cold weather in Michigan. The mats don't seem to bother her and I'm careful to make sure she's not full of pine needles or dirt after being outside. Am I hurting her by allowing her to stay matted for another month? Or should I get the groomer ASAP? I've attached some pictures of her coat.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I completely agree with this.  I would get her groomed as soon as you can.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

 Bella looks adorable in her "doodley" style!!  Have you taken a good look at the mats, especially in her arm pit areas where they tend to get really bad? If the mats are becoming tight up against the skin it could be uncomfortable and potentially painful when she is shaved (as well as now). And mats in the pits how comfortable can that be!!?? LOL!  I try to cut out any mats I find on Tara as quickly as I can.

I can understand your concern about her being able to stay comfortable in the cold weather. Tara always seems more cold after she has her hair shortened. But there are some great options in  outerwear for dogs now and when Tara's coat was super short she sometimes wore a sweater in the house too. I just watched for her sleeping in a ball instead of sleeping stretched out like she normally does. This usually indicates she is cold.

You might consider posting this question in the Grooming Group as well as here. Some members are groomers and probably have some good insight. 

[Taylor & Huff]

Get her groomed but tell the groomer to save as much hair as they can. They might be able to do something.

[Leslie, Dexter & Kirby]

She is adorable!!  If it were my doodle I'd go for the shorter cut now.  I know it's still cold but we just shaved down both dogs and both seemed very happy post cut.  If you want to wait I would cut out the bad mats.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Yes, you should take her to the groomer now and get the mats taken care of.  As the others have said, they can become painful.  The mats eventually draw the skin into them and it becomes very difficult to cut them out without cutting the skin.  Also, the longer you wait the shorter they are going to have to cut/shave your Doodle.  If the mats are not too close to the skin and you take care of it now, you can have a very short but cute haircut.

[Lorraine Bromley]

If the mats are so tight to the skin they can hurt.