5 month old golden doodle getting first haircut HELP

[Kristin Foti]

  Sadie has an appointment to get her first hair cut next week. She has already been to the groomer, but I just had them clean her up-no major cutting. But her hair is getting long, and with spring coming I thought now would be a good time. My only problem is that I have no idea what to ask for. I want to keep her long enough that she still looks fluffy (for lack of a better word to use), but short enough to be comfortable. I also do not like her face that short.Any suggestions?

[kristine & Auggie]

What I did was look for doodle pictures with the cut that I wanted, printed it and took it with me to the groomer.  I also searched for groomers to make sure they had experience with scissor cutting doodles.  I think  going in armed with a picture so there is no question as to what you really helps.  I wish I was that smart about my own hair lol

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

Just make sure to tell them NOT to shave the bridge of her nose. And make sure to tell them you'd like her face left longer. Last time Daphne went, they cut her mustache and beard so short and shaved her nose and in between her eyes. I absolutely HATE it! That fluffy long doodle face is what we all fell in love with, right?

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

If you ask for a 'poodle puppy clip', just make sure your groomer doesn't cut the muzzle short. Doing a quick google search, I found a lot of poodle puppy cuts with shaved muzzles (not all, but some). For Oscar's first cut, I asked for a 'puppy cut', specifying 1" all over (she left his face longer).

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

I wanted to add, too, that Oscar (7 mos. on the 13th) is getting his 2nd cut tomorrow. This time I'm going to ask for a regular doodle cut (shorter body, longer legs, long tail). I'm not sure how long to ask for the body, though. Lucy, my woolly-coated 3 yr old doodle, gets a really short doodle cut, but her hair mats easily at about 1" long. Oscar has soft curls, so I want to keep the curls somewhat (I hate that chopped off curl look some doodles get with a shorter cut) but still show off his athletic build (which I know is under there somewhere!). Hope my groomer (whom I love, btw, because she listens to what I ask for) understands and can accommodate me. (Maybe) I'll post pictures tomorrow (depends on how he turns out!).

[Kristin Foti]

Looking forward to pics!!!;)

[Lynette Main]

I took pictures of Doodles to my groomer. She still has them posted and I am seeing more and more Doodles that she is now grooming.You may  get a lot of bad cuts before you find the right groomer and the cute way you like yourb baby cut. I always say I"LL cut baround the face. I love the long eyelashes...

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I give my groomer a doodle calendar every year so that she has a variety of doodles to refer to when people come in.  I agree that you want to take pictures in.  You need to stress that Sadie is not a poodle and you do NOT want her to come out looking like one.

[Puppy Love]

I ask for fluffy face, paws and tail. Body is cut snug. Cut kinda looks like a Wheaton showdog. Peope get a kivk out of that and say"classic cut". I never get visor cut (bangs) just a personal prefrence. I ask for what my groomer calls a flop; which just looks like circles eye hole cut outs.

[Kristin Foti]

Can you post a pic for me? I am thinking this cut sounds adorable:)

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Okay, Oscar turned out better than expected. There are a couple things I need to make a note of for next time, however, to avoid happening again. Specifically, the way the top of the head doesn't blend into the ears without a break, and the bridge of his nose should be scissored, not shaved. I'm not too concerned with either though, as my pet peeves are legs being cut too close (I never want to see joints showing) and having a poodle poof on top of the head. Neither of which happened this groom. Oscar has yet to get wet and curl up, and I'm certain he'll have an entirely different look once that happens.

Here's the before and after pics... the before is above (Oscar is on left), and after is below. Sorry for the picture quality. I'd forgotten to change my camera's settings:

[Kristin Foti]

Great pics! Love the after! Thank you!!

[Patti Golden]

Oh, Oscar looks just like my Boone in the above pic.  Now I know what he'll look like AFTER I get him groomed.  Been contemplating getting him his first trim in a week or two.  It's getting warm here in Alabama and he has so much hair now.  Love the pics.