Does your doodle's hair mat?

[Anneeb]

My labradoodle's hair mats around his legs. We do brush him often but it doesn't seem to be enough. Is this normal? How should we prevent this? It can't be comfortable for him. For now we've been cutting them out when we find them. Thanks for your advice!

[Anneeb]

Thank you so much everyone, you've been a great help!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Check out my discussion in the Grooming Group - Help for Matting under Arms. I received great tips.
And my Peri is at the groomer right now getting a trim so I can manage those matts more easily!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Last week I also had Guinness trimmed to about an inch all over. I've noticed a huge difference...no mats at this length. Life is so much easier for both of us, and I really like the look.

[Frannie & Callie]

Callie is at the groomer right now, getting the 1" all over cut. The daily brushing hasn't been keeping the mats away, and she hates the mat rake (she tries to eat it whenever it comes out). Callie is basically a giant mat right now and I'm excited for her to be clean and silky again!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Let's post photos later!!!!!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Here are the before and after pictures for Guinness....

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

He looks great - I will post mine this afternoon - snow is heading to TN and we are pretty excited. I want to get snowed in with my dood and will upload photos then!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Thanks! My daughter was over this week, and she said he looks like a lamb. He kind of does.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Guinness looks very cute - short but still doodlishous! He has a very cute body. I do really like his longer scruffy look but it is not always worth the effort it takes to keep ahead of the mats.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Thanks, Nancy. Life is so much easier this way. I'll probably let him grow again after the coat change is over. Ned is a beautiful color. I love all the apricot with the lighter highlights.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Melissa what is a mat zapper as opposed to a mat breaker?????? Doesn't it break hairs so that if a doodle is longer it "frays" the ends or something? Have I missed a helpful product???? I just bought a new and firmer LesPouchs brush from Kemp because the one I had just doesn't go all the way through Ned's longer coat.
I can't wait to see Lady Peri's, Guinness', and Callie's pictures. Please post. Ned is pretty long right now, but at the height of his matting this is what we did - about 3/4" long:

This was sooooo easy to care for that I wonder why I let it grow long - then I look at Ned's scruffy, silky coat and I know why. But a long coat is only for as long as I don't mind the tremendous grooming time it takes.

[Diane]

Adorable picture of Ned! Ringo's getting his short cut next week. I hope it looks this good!