Doodle haircut for summer

[Lora]

So my best friend who also has a doodle said to maybe not trim his hair... Because the way it sticks up actually cools him off... I know when he's outside he appears hot and pants when it is mid 70's ! Thanks for any info! Also any style ideas for cuts? Would love pics but am new to site and don't know if pix can just appear on your replies. Thanks again!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Both dogs look great.

[Star and Goldie]

This discussion is actually really helping me too! I have yet to do the first official grooming and I love Goldie shaggy. I notice most reference 3/4 to an inch when discussing length. Is 1 inch the longest possible? I don't think I want Goldie that short but I don't know a thing about grooming! I suppose they don't do coat trims, huh? That's probably too hard.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Of course thy can do trims. I think there is a limit on how long you can go with clippers but with a scissor cut you have much more flexibility.

[Star and Goldie]

YAY! That's great news! I didn't even realize a scissor cut was an option. Haha. Goldie is the first dog I've ever had that actually requires full blown grooming outside of just bathing and brushing.

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Star, Libby's groomer will trim a longer coat if you want her too.  I think you can leave it at any length you want as long as you make if very clear to the groomer and you come to an agreement.  The first time I took Libby in I told her very clear that I never want to come back and see her shaved.  I have heard horror stories how they shave without telling you.  So we talked at length and worked out a plan for LIbby and it has always been good.  I keep her between 3/4 to 1 inch for the summer and longer for winter.  When she was young and her coat was changing there was a time she had mats and the Groomer called me and said she would shave just those areas and they were under tummy where her legs were and you could not even see it, but she did call first. I think it is very important to talk to the groomer and get an understanding of each other.

[Lori, Rooney & Zuzu]

I know there is some science behind the idea that longer hair actually keeps a dog cool but having just taken my Rooney from quite long to very short there is no doubt in my mind that he was HOT with his longer hair. Before he got cut short he was frequently asking to go out just so he could lay flat out on our patio and it was obviously because he was hot in the house and wanted to be on the cool patio. He also was starting to drag on walks now that the weather is warming up. Since getting his short and sassy cut he really is quite, well...sassy. He bounces along on our walks and hasn't been asking to go out and lay on the patio at all. We will be keeping him shorter for summer both because it seems to keep him cooler and also because he loves to swim and matting becomes a huge problem when you combine long hair and water.

[Lora]

Thanks so much!!! I think a trim is in order!

[Lynette Main]

I take pictures of the Doodle cuts that were in our calender.Then I write ...cut here ..leave this ..trim this ... I think it helps the groomerto know what i want.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Good idea.