I don't know what else to do!!

[Karen]

My baby doodle (1 year) is now quite matted thanks to the snow and the fact I think he would live in a snowbank if I let him!

I have bought so many products, Cowboy Magic (did nothing), Chi detangled, 4 different brushes/combs but he still has mats that I cannot get rid of. I afraid to bring him to the groomer who will want to shave him.  He can't be shaved. It is winter and I just can't do that to him.  He was shaved down once and took it very hard.  

I guess my inquiry with all of you is... is it ok if his hair is a bit matted (mainly belly and bum)? He is such high maintenance :) 

[Kaitlin and Ludo]

In case you are still looking for coats, this is the one I got for Ludo and I am satisfied with it.  

[Joann Valerio]

Curious... How does the coat help the matting? I thought the matting resulted from not combing
or brushing on a regular basis. What am I missing? Thanks!

[Kaitlin and Ludo]

Joann, the coat would be to keep him warm after he gets shaved at the groomer :)  The coat (and no coat, to my knowledge) will help with matting.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

You mean it won't help with matting, lol.

[Kaitlin and Ludo]

Haha

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Actually it will help WITH matting.  The coat rubbing on the fur/hair can cause mats.  You can't win.

[Joann Valerio]

Thanks Kaitlin.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

If you read the whole post and the responses, Joann, you will see that Karen the owner is concerned about her dog being cold if she shaves him down, so we were suggesting that he could wear a coat to keep him warm, and Kaitlin was showing her the one she got for her dog. 

[Lynda Kamrath]

My dogs wear coats frequently and this is California.  They like to be covered, especially my little dog who does not have much hair.  I used this photo on my Christmas card and the sweaters were from Target.  My local Target has some cute doggie clothes.

[Karen]

My Hank is a 75 lb doodle and his coat is like a double coat.  He has all his curls but then deep under that close to his skin is just a blend of hair.  It is cold here in NS, colder where I live off the ocean and he walks a lot so a coat will be needed.  

I'm a bit confused as to why some posts indicate you let your dog live with the matting but cut some out.  Some people believe it is hurting the dog.  

Anyway, I'll trust my groomer and definitely learn how to brush Hank better in the future. 

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

Karen, I don't think any of us "let them live with the matting". We cut them out or work them out ourselves in order to keep from shaving. Unfortunately if the dog is matted all over, there may be no choice and he may have to be shaved. Groomers just aren't going to spend the necessary time to carefully (and without pain) work all the matts out. If they did, they would probably charge a fortune for dematting.

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Karen, I agree with Lori. Maybe there is a misunderstanding. Any good doodle parent would not allow matts to
stay. I think the point is if they are found ( and eventually I suspect most doodles will have a few pop up) that the DK members will cut them out or work them out once they are identified.
It does take a lot of brushing all the way down to the skin to keep them matt free. You are at a difficult time if your dood is 1 year old and has the thick double coat. I couldn't let Yogi go over a day at that age without brushing his super thick coat. I'm certain I spent at least 4-5 hours a week brushing him.
I've found keeping him shorter, his coat maturing, and keeping him clean, all help. I remember seeing some will just periodically use a dog dryer to blow out the coat, removing the fine particles that can contribute to matting.
( I need to try this ). :-)
Anyway, it does get better and sounds like your doodle will need a lot of brushing with his thick coat. Btw, have you heard about the Activet or Les Pooches brush yet?