Grooming advice

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

Schulz has been groomed two times and both times a disaster! I don't want them to shave him down to nothing!!! I want him bathed nice and trimmed up! What terminology do I need to use??? We are getting ready to move and id like him cleaned up but everything,e I've said that they either shave ALL of him or like the first time shaved him all but his head and tail!

[Ginny Nightingale]

Hmm-do they give you a reason for the shaving? I only shave the doodles I groom (I only groom doodles as a small home business) if the mats are thick to the skin. Otherwise, you would ask them to use a comb attachment on the blade that keeps the blade from cutting short--they make 1 inch combs so that the hair is cut 1 inch away from the skin. Also, make sure the use scissors on the head, legs and feet so that they can shape them and keep them longer. The longer hair on the top of the head should blend gradually with the hair on the back. The clipper cuts the head too short and "dishes" the feet. Last, search our site for the shape of cut you like (look at other doodles pics but keep in mind that your doodle seems to have pretty straight hair) and bring that in to demonstrate. 

Wish I could help more!!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Print up a couple of pictures of doodles here that have similar coats to Schulz and look like you would like him to look. Take them with you.  Or if you have a doodle calendar take that. Ask the groomer if they have any other clients that are doodles and ask how they trim them. Really Schulz looks like he should be easier to groom than the more curly doods.

One suggestion I might make is that you want him scissor cut rather than cut with clippers.  I know that many people can wield clippers without shaving, but I think you have a better chance of getting a shaggy guy if they use scissors.

You may or may not like Clancy's cut, but it looks to me like they have similar coats.  Here is Clancy.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

I told my groomer I want a 'puppy cut'.
Same length all over.
Straight legs -no shaved feet
Short from end of eyes to under ears
Trim beard - never short and never shaved!
I showed her that I comb hair on top pf their head forward towards the muzzle. Grab that hair between fingers and cut that hair up to my fingers. That gives
the hair on top of the head a tussled look.
Print out pictures you like and take time to review what you want and don't want

[Ginny Nightingale]

Sounds perfect! 

[Adina P]

I usually just tell them I want a bath, hygiene trim, nails, and what length I want the hair trimmed to and if I want the tail or face touched at all.  Only once did a groomer turn 1.5 inches into 1/2 inch despite very clear instructions.  Most of the time they do what I ask and my only complaint is quality of work.