Results of Not Brushing

[Leslie and Halas]

Even though Halas loooooves Tina the Groomer, and will be very still, sweet, and cooperative for however long she has to work on him, he hates it when I brush him.  As a result, I don't brush him nearly as often or as thoroughly as I need to.  Combine that with he and Barley being together for the better part of this month, biting, chewing, and slobbering on each other, and I had one matted doodle.  He went to see Tina the Groomer yesterday.  I told her that she'd probably have to shave some spots, but she always does her best to avoid that, or try to work a comb-over situation to cover up a spot that she has to clip really short or shave.  I also wanted about 2 inches taken off of his coat anyway, so I was expecting a very short-haired doodle when I picked him up, and that's exactly what I got.  She had to go so short in so many spots, that he looked really patchy, so she just evened him out.  I think he looks really good, and he's velvety soft.  I also like that you can tell he's not fat.  When his hair is long, everyone thinks he's fat.  Now, you can really see his scrawny little neck, although it's covered by his ultra-tough skull and crossbones bandanna in these pics.

Here is a before pic.  It's just of his face, but it's such a goofy look that I had to include it.  These pics are all from my phone, so I don't know how good they'll be.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

And here's one of Barley, just because he's cute, and partly responsible for the state of Halas' hair.

[Leslie and Halas]

I put him on a card table, and he stays up there just fine.  But he tucks his chin, turns his head, stuff like that.  So I have a hard time getting to some of the trouble spots.  And I give up way too easily.

[Ginny Nightingale]

Awww adorable pups---he is still so cute even with the short coat--she did a great job of leaving some hair on his head without him looking like a lion! I think I would shorten the tail a bit, since they tend to mat also and it would be more in proportion to his body. But it is pretty the way it is too. 

Make sure you don't just brush--use a steel comb to get down to the skin--now that he is all groomed he won't hate it as much so this is a good time to get him into a routine of brushing and combing when it is easier to do. Also, try to set him on a table with a rubber mat--when they are on the floor they want to go off and do other things--but if he has a special grooming spot, that might help.

[Leslie and Halas]

I use a poodle comb on him most of the time.  None of the brushes really get through the coat.  That is the nice thing about this shorter coat.  I can start brushing and keep up with it much easier.

[Vivian & Mojo]

The rubber mat really helps, I use half of an old yoga mat...afterwards a tasty treat.

[Colleen, Jake & Baxter]

Halas looks adorable no matter what but I love, love the ones after being groomed.  I know exactly what you mean about "fat doodle".  Jake looks very fat when his hair grows out especially next to his long, lean brother Baxter. Jake looks like a different dog when he is back from the groomer.

[Becka]

Barley is adorable (as is Halas). Is he pink?

[Leslie and Halas]

He's white, but you can see some of his pink skin, because his hair is really short right now, too.  I think most of the pink is just from bad lighting, though.

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Absolutely adorable and looks so hugable:)

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

He looks wonderfully soft. Hey, do you have any tournaments coming up, maybe it's like Clark and Speedos - Halas will "fly" through the air without all that fur just like Clark through the water without the bother of a normal swimsuit.

Barley is pretty darn cute!

[Leslie and Halas]

We have a tournament the weekend of Dec 1, so it will have grown back some by then, but he's going to the groomer again right before Thanksgiving, so I'll make sure she leaves him aerodynamic!

[Kim]

cute :)  Love the skulls!!!

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Leslie, Halas look wonderful.  Did Halas' personality change a bit after his new haircut?  

Charlie is going to the groomer this Thursday and I think he will probably look like Halas's twin!  Charlie has had his short twice before and both times he acted like he was elated to have all that hair gone.