Short cuts and Matting

[Donna K & Quincy]

I just finished a marathon brushing and combing session with Quincy and he has the most mats I have ever had to deal with. I don't know if it's just me but I find that his coat seems to mat more when it is shorter. It's not because he is swimming or getting wet more, it's been too cold for that and he has only been in the water once and was brushed out as soon as he was dry. I seem to be combing mats out of him every day in between brushings. His coat is probably about 2 inches long right now. Does anyone else notice this or is it just me?

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

No I can't say the shorter the more matts as I have not had a matt on Daisy since her "big shave down" we actually don't even brush her anymore, I use the buttercomb on her every 2 or 3 days. Currently I would say her hair is probably 3 inches but very curly so it looks shorter.

Since it is summer, and since her shave down, her hair came in very very thick....she is hot all of the time. Is there such a thing as thinning a doodles hair, ya know to get air flow?

[Donna K & Quincy]

I guess you could use thinning shears, but I find that when I use them it encourages more matts but if she is not matting it might be a solution. Of course, you could move to Newfoundland, no worries about being too warm here so far this year. What is a butter comb?

:<(

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

only the best thing since Wonder Bread, here is the link - it's the #11 staggered tooth comb...it's quite heavy but it really works well.

http://www.chrissystems.com/combs.htm

 

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

Nope!  Sorry Donna, around here short hair = No brushing and No mats... That is kind of peculiar...  Does his seem any different in texture?

[Donna K & Quincy]

No, texture is no different. I have noticed this when his coat has been short before.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Gracie Doodle doesn't get mats at all anymore.  She is a soft wavy fleece GD and does not have thick, curly or wirey (wooly) hair at all.  I keep Gracie really short these days.  Anything over 2 inches is way too long for her.  Even 2" is too long.  She is happiest at 1" max.  If we get mats it is only on the ears and directly under her tail.  Gracie has become very low maintenance as far as brushing and mats.  For air flow I keep under her ears shaved close and also her neck and chest are cut short.  I think that helps a lot to keep them cool.  Also, keeping the air flow under the ears is good for keeping the ears dry.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

SO SO JEALOUS NANCIE!

[Camilla and Darwin]

short hair = less matts for Darwin.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

That seems odd to me, I feel your pain though. Myla is ALWAYS  a mess! As soon as I brush her, she gets of the table and runs her whole face and body across the carpet and messes it up!!! DOODLES!!

[K and Racey]

Donna, if Racey's hair is 2 inches long it matts like crazy. For her summer cut, I buzz her myself as the groomer up here in AK is very expensive-about $100 per visit! I use the 1/2 inch buzzer on her, but use the scissors and hand trim her face. She hates being hot, so thats why I keep it so short. But I have to buzz her every 2-3 weeks. Luckily she is small (32 lbs) and I can do it in about 20 minutes. And luckily for me, she doesnt mind it much other than getting bored with standing still for 20 minutes.

[Donna K & Quincy]

I think you may be right and this is the magic length for maximum matting at our house. I guess I will have to break out the clippers and clip him down a little shorter.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Yep...that would be the best length for Quincy.  Gracie is happiest I think more at 1/2 to 1" maximum!!!  But I gotta say...I LOVE Quincy when he is puffy and proud!!!