Haven't you ever wondered how your dood looks under all that fur? I have and now I know....

[Ann Kendig]

I finally did it.  I took the plunge.  I'm not sure if I would ever do it again but thankfully it grows back.  I got tired of grooming and needed a break.  Because of all of the burrs, ticks, swimming and their allergies I just felt it would be a lot easier for the summer. Recently Camilla had Darwin shaved down and it gave me the courage to do the same.  

Here's an old photo of Duke and his brother.  : )  

Isn't it amazing how much fur they have on their bodies??  When this photo was taken a year or so ago he wasn't even at his longest length and still I got a big pile of fur and he got a bad haircut.

This is my favorite look for my dogs but pretty hard to manage on a daily basis.

This photo was taken the morning of the "Shave Down".

And now....

Notice the stripes in Sheba's fur and her panda bear eyes?  I am amazed at how beautiful her coat is.  When her fur is long you would never guess she looks like this underneath.

Duke....

I really thought they would love being shaved down but actually I think they were a little depressed. My husband thought so too.  When they were shaved the weather was warmer and then it got cold again. Instead of seeing them comfortably lying on the cold tile floor when they were hairy they sometimes curl up on the carpet in a little ball.  Poor babies, I feel bad.  I've noticed that when I give them attention now I pat them instead stroking them like I did when their fur was longer.  

Like I said, I don't know if I would do it again but if I did I would wait till maybe the end of May.

That being said, last Sunday was a beautiful, warm day.  Sheba is now obsessed with her version of fishing,  standing on the dock, barking at the fish, pawing at the water and then occasionally falling in.  Duke follows suit.  Sheba finally learned how to dock dive (after I pushed her in a couple of times, bad mom) and she now knows how to land in the water without her head going under.  (She will never be as good as Spud though...he is awesome!!)  Duke spent part of the day in his life jacket.  The jacket  has handles on it so a few times I lowered him into the water on the end of the dock.  As the day progressed he finally took his maiden voyage and did a long distance swim without his jacket.  Yay Sheba and Duke!!   (I was thankful that their fur was short that day.  It dries so much quicker and I didn't have to spend time taking the matts out of Sheba's fur and brushing them both out.   At the end of summer I'll let their fur grow back and have my furry doods back again.  : )

Look at Spud dock dive, amazing height!  (This photo was taken last year and not at our house).  Sheba wants to be just like him! 

Sheba likes to stay low and close to the water right now.

Duke swimming on his own for the first time....

[Linda Karell]

I like both looks.  Personally, I give a huge sigh of relief every time Chervil is groomed (her groomer takes her down to 1/2"), and it grows so fast. . ..  But I LOVE the zebra stripes!  It might be worth it to shave her every once in awhile just to see those great markings!

[F, Calla & Luca]

The doodles did and do look gorgeous. You did a great job and with your pond I don't know how you could avoid it. Life is too short not to keep doodles short in the summer.

[Becka]

They're both beautiful! I think you will enjoy the easy grooming, too. That's one of my favorite things about having a doodle--being able to enjoy them long & shaggy or short & sleek.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I could see those diagonal stripes on Sheba even with her long hair when I met her, but it's amazing to see her shaved down. They both look great. I'm sure it will make summer a lot more fun for all of you.

My poodles seemed to feel naked and uncomfortable on the few occasions when they were taken down really short, but it does grow back so fast.

 

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

I can't believe how different they look. I especially love Sheba's coat, that is amazing. The day after Daisy's shave down a year ago was the first time she got on our bed, she too was cold....poor baby. Of course now I am much braver and keep her coat shorter but not shaved, even in the winter. It's much better for all of us not to have to brush her EVERY day.

Good Job Ann!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Spud is on his way down to show Sheba the secrets.  It has been a long time since he swam.

LOVE the shave downs on Sheba and Duke.  No, I don't like the looks initially and the first day or two the dog seems confused but after that Spud loves to be  rubbed all over.

I think they are ticklish or... maybe just enhanced sensitivity right after a shave. Spud hates the brush, so shaving is the only way to groom him.  He now never acts too depressed. He gets rather silly.  He gets the zoomies for a few days.

So I say--SHAVE!  

See you soon?  I hope I hope   Give me a date, I'll be there.

[Leslie and Halas]

Great pictures!  They both look great.  And they both look so much taller with that short hair.

[Leslie and Halas]

Sheba does have such cool markings.

[GBK]

They both look FABULOUS!!!  I am never one to mind the shave down and all the wonderful lengths in between Ann.  I finally took the plunge and shaved them byself, 3/4 length for the Summer.  I plan to keep them that way until it cools down.

Your place looks so awesome, glad you are all enjoying it, as always I wish we were closer!

Your buds, Gina, Buddy and Kona :P

[Bonnie and Kona]

Oooo Ann, I did the shave down on Owen yesterday. I didn't shave his head and ears though and now seeing your two, maybe I should have. They look great. Owen has a cowlick. The hair above his eyes is straight and stands up then an inch back it lays flat. not a good look. ;o)

Love the dock leap!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I just noticed the first picture.  HA HA HA! 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

You really took the plunge. I am amazed at sheba's coloring - I never would have guessed how beautiful her coloring is.  I love Duke's close-up photo.  His face is amazingly wonderful.   For the first time I had Ned and Clancy cut really short.  It just isn't my idea of beautiful, but I am with you on the easy-care part.