Half my doodle is missing!

Don't worry--he isn't hurt, but Rio sure looks different today! Over the past few months, as Rio's coat started to go through the dreaded puppy-to-adult coat transition, I was busy raising 8 puppies. Added to that was the fact that the breeder and I were letting the coat grow out for a "photo shoot" for her website (he will be a stud dog if he passes his health tests). His hair was about 5 inches long. So....mats started to form. I combed when i could, but each day I would feel another huge one under there and vowed to get him cleaned up as soon as the pups left. Well, I still have two pups here that leave in a few days, but I could wait no longer. He was a MESS and the photoshoot was over....see how pretty he looks? You could never tell that under all this hair there were giant blobs of matted fur.

I took my time and did one hour sessions, cutting off some mats, picking and prodding at others while Rio cried and carried on like the big baby that he is. (He has no pain tolerance at all!) So, I was very gentle and went slowly--i just didn't want to shave him, especially with cold winter weather coming! I managed to get the body done the first day, but with his big fluffy legs he looked like a clydesdale or a "My Little Pony" doll.

Finally after three sessions over three days, he was all done and had a bath. I have removed hundreds of mats--he looks pretty strange (and so tiny!), but at least he is not naked! I can tell that he feels better too. We had snow today and he was running around in it with his mom.

Now, I can let it all grow back and I had better keep combing! I never want to put either of us through that again! Oh and by the way, when I was all done, I looked down and found the other half of my doodle!

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Permalink Reply by Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver on December 9, 2011 at 2:42am

What a beautiful baby - either way, with our without hair - LOL I keep a brush on the right on my counter to give a quick brush daily. Sasha is VERY poodly and a quick daily brush is a must. Oliver has loose curls but sheds so he requires a daily brush too. What worked for me was leaving the brush out so it would remind me to give them their daily once over :)