My doodle puppy looks like a Bichon!

[Flora Wan]

I took my Goldendoodle puppy Ellie for her first grooming today (she's 4 months old) mainly because the fur is covering her eyes. I thought that I would get back a dog that looks pretty much like what she was before so imagine my surprise when I picked up my puppy and she looked like a large Bichon Frise! Even my neighbour who HAS a Bichon says that she looks like one!!

Is this a normal grooming look for a Goldendoodle puppy? I can't seem to get the big patch furry hair on top of her head to settle down and her cheeks look so puffy. How do I tell the groomers that I want a Goldendoodle "look" or is there even such a thing? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

I've attached two before (at the park) and after (at home) pictures.

[Lynda Kamrath]

Well, figure that it is a good thing because the puppy got a little experience with going to a groomer and you got a little experience with what happens at a groomer. I don't think there really is a goldendoodle look because most groomers have not had a lot of experience with goldendoodles. Since they are not an accepted breed, there are no guidelines for grooming. You may be able to find a groomer that listens a little better to what you want, but my best advice is to give it a try on your own. Grooming your dog is very satisfying because you can work on getting the look you want. Go ahead, give it a try. Think of it as one-on-one time with your puppy. Besides, it's fun. Really! And her coat will grow back really quickly.

[Flora Wan]

Thanks, Linda. I've actually been looking through internet sites on how to groom a Goldendoodle. I guess it would be more complicated when she gets her adult fur but for now I can just clip some of the hair. What would you recommend as good grooming tools to get started with?

[Adina P]

Check out our Grooming group for LOTS of discussions on grooming and groomer experiences.

[Kyoko]

Your puppy looks beautiful.

[Tamara & Giada]

I don't understand, because he looks great to me. What exactly don't you like??

[Adina P]

Ellie looks great. She looks like most doodle puppies after grooming...a little poofy from being brushed and blown dry, but that will settle eventually. Most dogs get blown dry so that poofs them up. I think she looks cuddly and adorable.

[Lynne B]

I think she looks great, Beck looked way too 'poofy' after I got him groomed, but after he played in the sprinkler he looked much better lol..

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

He looks very nice! Just spritz him with water from a squirt bottle if he seems too poofy.

[Flora Wan]

Thanks for the reply, everyone. You're right, the blow drying made the top of her head and cheeks REALLY pouffy when I picked her up so I kinda panicked (she really did look like a Bichon!). It has since settled down so it looks more normal now :)

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

We had the same experience last week with Guinness. He looks so much more normal now. A few "rolls" in the wet grass and he was pretty much back to normal. They shaved his face around his eyes which looks a little funny, but that will grow back eventually. Like you, I'm going to try the next grooming myself. Ellie is so beautiful!

[Flora Wan]

I know exactly what you mean with shaving the face around the eyes! I think the contrast between the shaved spot in the middle of her face and everything else (top of the head, cheeks, muzzle) made her features look "squished in" while everything else is puffed up.

By the way, your Guinness is ADORABLE! He looks sooo cute in that picture!! :)

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Flora, i agree with the suggestions of grooming yourself. I learned a lot on the Grooming Group here and there is a good video on goldendoodles.com on how to groom. Actually I think its 5 videos. The thinning shears for the top are a really good tip and a good clippers is really important. They run around $100.00, but I bet you wouldve given $1000.00 to not go thru so much angst yesterday and not gotten such a shock. Imagine what you would pay to not pick her up SHAVED, cus the groomer didn;t know what else to do or misunderstood you? So my point is, it is well worth the initial investment. I groom little bits at a time, and it seems about everry month or less even, I am cleaning up around the eyes and chin.....she will stay just like you want her all the time....