Grooming Help!

[Sharon & Mazie]

I apologize as I'm sure this is not a new subject but I am new to this forum. I have an 22 month old ALD and was told she would have a curly fleece coat. It certainly is soft, like chenille, but it gets matted so easily.  I do comb her 3 times a week but it stills mats especially around her collar area. She is so patient with me as I try to untangle her.

Her actual coat is very tight waves so it is hard for a comb to get through but that is what I was told I should use. I currently use a wide tooth metal comb.

Anyone have a doodle with this type coat? What length do you keep their oat so it is manageable. Any special combs you use? Are there any magic detanglers or conditioners out there that help with this?

Thanks, Tangled Tess

[Joan Bollaert]

I use the same comb you do plus the single width Les Pooches double sides wire brush.  There is also a "Zapper" for mats but that brush is always sold out and I've had no luck in getting one yet.  These brushes are expensive.  My ALD is also curly and usually only mats around collar and armpits.  I have another ALD who is wavy and never needs any combing or brushing at all.  She is only 6 months old and I keep waiting for her to get rid of puppy coat that is supposed to require some intense brushing but I doubt she'll ever go through that stage.   Cooper, my curly/spiral doodle has gotten worse as he's gotten older. He just turned one yr old.  He requires an every other day comb out.  I've read that the curlier coats will require more grooming. 

It's recommended keeping the coat to a 1"-2" length for easier maintainance.  I don't like the very short look so Cooper is kept longer at 3-4".   I think the green single width, double sided Les Pooche brush is worth having.  I think you'd find it helps alot.   I usually use that first than do the metal comb and all is good.  :)

Good luck

[Sharon & Mazie]

Joan,

 Thank you so much for your comments. It seems the Les Pooches brush is the one to go for. It's not that easy to get sadly enough nut I will keep on trying. In the mean time I got a new brush with bent bristles. Someone just told me they are better than the straight bristles because they get down into the mats and not just the surface.

Mazie is getting groomed next week so I a going to have her cut to about 2 !/2 inches and see how we do with that.

 

I have been trying to see what exact coat Mazie has. I believe she has a spiral curly with some wool on her back shoulders or else the spirals are very curly and look wooly when brushed !

I will continue to pick your brain if you don't mind as I try to figure this all out.  Thanks again

[Joan Bollaert]

No problem...  ask as many questions as you need to. :)     Les Pooches aren't sold in stores around so not sure if they are where you are.  I ordered mine online.  

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

She looks EXACTLY like Ned.  I have tons of advice - he is 5 now.  He began matting at about 6 months and continued to mat until he was 2 1/2.  I use a LesPoochs brush AND a steel comb on him.  You can't get a LesPoochs brush right now so you can get a cheaper knockoff by MGT. When he was in the serious matting stage, I brushed him every other day.  I used products to help.  Cowboy Magic in the specific mat.  Horse Mane N' Tail Detangler spray  and Bed Head spray are my go to ones but there are others. I also found that there are only two types of collars Ned can wear or he mats around the neck in just hours.  Either a rolled leather collar - which can be found at pet stores.

Or a water collar - hydro collar.  I get mine from this site:   http://www.hotdogsalldressed.com/en/hydro/collars

They are in Canada but ship to the US.  You can customize your collar with things like this:I have monkeys and duckies on Ned's, bones and waves on Clancy's, and whales and a design on Gordie's.  They do not cause any matting and do not mold if they get wet.  I love them and they are so much cuter than a plain collar.

Ned at 22 months:

[Sharon & Mazie]

Nancy   I agree Mazie and Ned look exactly alike! How cool.  Thanks so much for your advice. I went right out and got a new brush and detangler. I will keep my eyes open for the les pooch brush as you and Joan both recommend it so highly.

I like to keep her coat about 2-3 inches long so I'm hoping this will help. Thank you so much for your input!!!!

[Sharon & Mazie]

I ordered a les pooches brush online but I just received notice that they are out of stock and won't be back in stock until about Feb or March 2014. Apparently these brushes are made in Germany and this results in back ups on orders. They are attempting to move production to the US to eliminate this problem. SO that's the attest.

[Janice Jones]

Just trying to find some advice for matting of my 18 month old ALD, especially around the neck. I saw your post on the hydro collar. Is this something you think I should try? I have been using a rolled collar (not leather) but still get major matting. We are just having our first rain of the season, so leather collar may not work. Also, what size comb do you use? Any help would be greatly appreciated.