When to get a first doddledo?

[FriscoCoco]

Coco is about 4.5 months old and such a cutie.  This is an amazing website and it make it so much easier for a noob like me to learn how to take care of my puppy from day 1.

Question is we are getting warmer and warmer here in Dallas, when should I take her for a hair cut or should I wait til her adult coat start?  Many thanks in advance.

[Camilla and Darwin]

You can taker her to be cut whenever you want, it makes no difference. I had the very same question when I joined DK, in fact it was the reason why I started looking for Goldendoodle forums. :-) 

 

Somewhere I had heard that if you cut them before they had their adult coat they wouldn't grow back right. I'm happy to report that is a myth. LOL. Here is a photo of Darwin after his first haircut (I cut him myself). He was about 4.5-5 months old.

 

[NewfoundlandNic]

OMG, he is adorable! Great job, Camilla. And Darwin is such a handsome boy now. When you say you cut him yourself, how and with what? Hair scissors? I get my pup April 4th, she will be 9 weeks. She looks fluffy now.

 

Nicole

[Camilla and Darwin]

I cut him with pet clippers. 1" on his face, 3/4" on his body. :-)

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Look at that face. Sweet Darwin!

 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Coco is about the age when I first started taking my two to the groomers. I knew I wasn't going to even attempt grooming and I wanted to get them used to the groomer as soon as possible.

[Camilla and Darwin]

Baby Albus!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Ohhh you are in Dallas?  I would go in the next few weeks then.  I know how hot it gets - sis has already been complaining!

 

I had Peri cut around 5-6 months.  Her hair was starting to matt and it was easier having it shorter during that coat change.

 

Photo of Peri after her first cut:

 

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Gracie Doodle had her first visit to the Groomers around 4 months.  It was just to get the paw pads trimmed, sanitary cut and a little trimming around her face so she could see.  I continued to take her to the groomers until she was about 1 1/2 years.  I would bathe her at home in between groomings though.  Now I do all of her grooming needs myself.  I pull the poodle hair in the ears, nails, sanitary and clip her.  The best thing I could have ever done though was to start out with the groomer because Gracie got the discipline that is needed for grooming.  Grooming takes us a couple of hours at least so you need for your Doodle to behave.  Starting from day one hopefully you have played with her ears, feet, pads, mouth and all over so she is not skitterish about being touched or probed.  They learn to 100% trust you and will let you do whatever is needed and it also helps for the vet during examinations.  She is OK to have a trim now...not a problem and I'm sure she will feel much better in the heat!  Good Luck

[FriscoCoco]

You guys are the best!  Thanks for all the great pictures, it really get me a better picture of what she might look like after a cut.

 I am going to take her in for a trim this weekend.

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

Rosey was about 4 months too when she first got groomed.  It was important for her to get used to it since whe will have to be groomed.  Make sure you call around and make an appointment.  Groomers can be hard to get into.  Look in the Dallas group and get some recommendations if you don't already have someone in mind.  You want to make sure it will be a positive experience for YOU & Coco.  Some people have had issues finding good groomers.  Anyways.. here is ROSEY-

Good Luck and let us know how it goes!!

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Suzann...I love that photo of Rosey!!  What a cutie pie!

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

This is Bella's first all over cut at 8 months. Prior to that I just trimmed a lot of the puppy fluff, sanitary cuts, paws and ears and around the eyes to get her used to it. I like her on the longer side now that I've cut her, but being in Az I will have to see how that works for her this summer. The Grooming Group on here is wonderful and you can read for months if you archive different titles or issues. There really is no real set date on when to have them groomed tho. OUr Murphy I did by 4 months and Bella 8 months, so it depends on the hair type, the look you want and ofcourse like youve mentioned the weather conditions. Good luck and send pictures of her grooming when it happens.