Shaving Doodles

[Joani, Skadi & Elli]

I unfortunately, and unwittingly sent Elli to the groomer...matted.  My other doodle Skadi...mats very very little, so I wasn't diligent in brushing Elli...oh yes, the "ignorant" doodle mumma.  We had just rescued Elli off Craigslist and I had no idea she matted super easy...this was a couple years ago, and since I have learned a valuable lesson....brush brush brush.  The following online information I thought was worth sharing:  "In addition to learning how to groom your double-coated dog, you should also familiarize yourself with a few grooming mistakes that dog owners often make. The biggest mistake you can make with your double coated dog is to shave his coat. Some dog owners mistakenly believe that their dog’s double coat makes them hot in the summer and they shave the dog’s coat in an attempt to cool him off. What these dog owners do not realize is that a dog’s double coat acts as insulation, protecting him from the heat. A dog’s double coat is part of his natural cooling system – each layer helps not only to keep the dog cool, but it protects his skin from sun damage as well. If you are worried about your dog being too hot in the summer, consult a professional groomer about the possibility of trimming his coat but in no case should you shave your double coated dog."

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

I don't know if there are double coated doodles, but the quote was about double coated dogs, in general, not doodles in particular.  The statement as it relates to sun protection, is for every dog that has a coat, I'd imagine.  Does that help witht the Double Coat questions?

[Wendy and Myla]

I agree - I don't think doodles are double coated.  We had a sheltie that was definitely double coated and we very mistakenly clipped her to about one inch.  It was a huge mistake as she couldn't tolerate the heat and we had to keep her inside until her fur grew back (she only went out for potty breaks).  I do agree that doodles shouldn't be "shaved" so that skin shows but they can be clipped fairly short.

[Leslie J]

Please define shaving... I don't consider the white dog in the opening post to be shaved, just cut short. Cocoa mats very easily, and we cut her down to 1" regularly- otherwise she'd require constant, painful combing and mat removal.

[Ginny Nightingale]

I agree--a truly shaved dog has a much shorter coat.--you can see the skin.

[Emily White]

My understanding has always been that basically any longer-haired dog that sheds is double-coated. Like golden retrievers. Hence some doodles may be double-coated. My F1B doodles have basically poodle coats, though. I've never seen anything that said you shouldn't shave single-coated dogs. Am I wrong about that?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Personally, I don't think you should shave any dog, double coated or single coated. The coat still provides insulation and protects against sunburn, either way. Shaving can also irritate the skin. I had purebred Poodles most of my life, and except for their feet, they were never shaved.  

[Joani, Skadi & Elli]

AMEN

[Emily White]

Do you mean shaving to any length, as in you don't use clippers at all?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

To me, "shaving" means down to the skin. 
But no, clippers are never ever used on my doodle, except for his feet. The rest is hand scissored. I should add though that my doodle does shed and doesn't matt. My Poodles were trimmed with clippers, but not "shaved". 

[Emily White]

Ah that makes me feel better! We get ours clipped, but always leave at least an inch or so of hair.