To Shave or Not to Shave

Lately my dog looks like a stray. Dirty white with mats. He is not a show dog, he is my dog, who likes to play, get dirty, and romp with the black labs.

Spud is 11 months and is going through the puppy coat changes. He mats and we don't mind working with grooming--well I should say, we don't mind, but he gets irritated at times with the grooming.

We live in the snow belt of N. E. Ohio. It is not uncommon to get a foot of snow with 10 degree temperatures. Just think Canada and you will get the picture of the amount of freezing temperatures and snow we have for the next 6 months.

My question--Should I shave him down or let this phase progress normally?

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Permalink Reply by Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle on November 7, 2009 at 11:28am

I am not a fan of shaving any dog. When I had poodles, they were hand-scissored. Clippers touched no part of them except for their feet. Except when I had been neglectful and allowed them to become hopelessly matted...then they had to be shaved. But otherwise, dogs can be trimmed with scissors. It is time-consuming and you need someone who knows what they're doing. (Bonus to scissors cutting for doodles...it creates much less of that "poofy" look than the clippers do.) It seems to me that the groomers at chain places like Petsmart just shave dogs who really aren't that badly matted because they're too lazy to work through the matts, and/or they don't know how to just cut the coat shorter.
If Spud were mine, I'd maybe have him cut a bit shorter and "work with the grooming"...I like that phrase!

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Permalink Reply by Noble Vestal Labradoodles on November 7, 2009 at 11:31am

Nope, my general rule is that we do not shave our dogs! They are too pretty to be shaved and look like poodles when they are. our dogs play in the snow and come in and lay on the rug to dry off then I brush them out. We brush weekly for coat health, this also helps distribute their natural oils that keep them clean.

I just cant imagine wasting the beauty of these dogs to a shave down.

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Permalink Reply by F, Calla & Luca on November 7, 2009 at 11:40am

I've never shaved Luca. I did keep up with the grooming most of the time with the coat change. He still mats now though and I'm not sure he isn't changing coats a bit again--see Caramel or? discussion. Anyway with 2 now grooming is not as regular although Calla needs very little. I try to tease out some of the mats but I'll often just cut them out. The rest of the hair covers the shorter spots pretty well. I did notice yesterday a sort of weird looking short patch on Luca's flank-thigh where I guess I was overenthusiatic with the scissors. But Calla and I still love him and he's not looking for a lady friend :)

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Permalink Reply by Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey on November 7, 2009 at 4:16pm

Boy when you mention 6 months of freezing temps and shave in the same post, my first thought was Burrr!

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Permalink Reply by Joanne ~ Spud* on November 7, 2009 at 4:45pm

Exactly!
I thought maybe we could all live with mats. Just keep working and putting up with the yucky "teenage look" of a dog. It will be cold here in a week and won't leave until May :( Can I move in Nina?

Do mats hurt? They sure seem like they would be uncomfortable. I wish I could ask him how he feels. Right now he looks like a 3 year old had a great day with pair of scissors! LOL

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Permalink Reply by Sessa on November 7, 2009 at 5:16pm

Not to be a downer,
but matts DO hurt.
(if left alone, over time they begin to produce skin issues and even tears)

Think of it like a ponytail that is too tight on your head---gives you a headache and leaves your scalp sore...imagine that all over your body, no thanks.

You can leave the hair as long as you'd like,
but, I'd recommend on working those matts out--with a matt cutter, scissors, comb, or/and some conditioner...."Cowboy Magic" works great too.

Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Joanne ~ Spud* on November 7, 2009 at 5:26pm

Thanks that's what I thought too. You were not a downer. I appreciate your input for a question I was afraid to ask thinking it might sound stupid . And yes, gawd I hate ponytails to sleep on!!! Got it.

If I must, I will have a patchwork looking dog that I can do my very best with what I have until he hopefully grows out of this ugly teenage stage.

I do have the cowboy magic, the Les Pouche, and a whole basket full of things to work with so I suppose this is as good as it gets for awhile.

He will have his hair to keep him protected, I just will tell everyone he is a STRAY I JUST ADOPTED and we are going to the groomers on MONDAY! Then run the other way. LOL