Advice/suggestions for summer cut that still looks "Doodley"

[Kamela & Beckett]

Our puppy Beckett is super hot natured. We live in the south so the weather has already started heating up. I've been grooming him myself and keeping him in an all over puppy type cut (scissoring his body to be shortish but not shaved). I think I'm going to have to shave his body relatively short for him to be comfortable in our summers, but need some advice or examples of pictures on how to keep his head "Doodley" looking yet not like a bobble head. I don't want to shave his head but need to know how to make the transition from short body cut to fluffier head. Thanks!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Kamela, we've had many discussions here about the fact that shaving or cutting our dog's hair will not make them cooler, and in fact might make matters pertaining to heat worse. Dogs do not sweat, so they don't lose heat through their skin like we do, and their coats are designed to insulate them against both heat and cold. With heat, the longer coats trap pockets of cooler air against the skin. Think of the way the soil in areas where the grass is long is cooler than the soil in areas where there is no grass; it's kind of like that. And longer hair also protects them from sunburn, which light colored dogs and dogs with light skin are susceptible to. 

A lot of people cut their dogs' coats shorter in hot weather to make maintenance easier, which is fine as long as it isn't shaved or taken down too close to the skin. 

As to the specific cut, I can't help there, but I'm sure others here will. 

[Kamela & Beckett]

To clarify I should say that by shave I meant use the clippers with a guard to take his hair down shorter than I currently have him scissor cut.

[Corinn Laitre]

The best part apart doodles is that their hair always grows back!  I groom my GD as well and we switch it up constantly to see what we like best on him...their have been oops moments for sure but it never lasts ;) I usually just look through doodle cuts on the internet decide which ones i like and do my best to mimic it! Our remington also runs hot and we have to keep him trim a) so he's more comfortable(he's noticeably more playful and bouncy when he's cut short) b) trying to keep his hair longer & matt free after rolling in dead grass and mud is nearly impossible.

I usually shave his body with a (3 & 3/4F) blade, keeps him short without looking too naked and then i dont have to worry about using clipper combs.  After his body and legs are done I slowly scissor away his mop head until it looks in ratio with his body.

This time we did a schnauzer-ish face, shaved his ears and cheekbones but left a little coif and beard! I thought i'd hate it but it's not bad, I love him any which way! The other 2 pictures show great shorter doodley clips!

Good luck! 

[Kamela & Beckett]

Thanks! We also have a mini schnauzer and I've been grooming her for 5+ years now. I can do a schnauzer cut- LOL!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I keep Fudge and Vern cut short in the summer for easier maintenance for me. They swim in the lake almost every day and it just makes life easier. Mainly, I ask the groomer to cut them short and make sure I can see their eyes. 

[Stephanie and Ragley]

I posted this discussion a while back- I go through how I did her whole groom, but since you are already comfortable, maybe the pictures and specific sections may be able to help you.

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/doodlegrooming/forum/topics/meet-...

[Kamela & Beckett]

Super helpful- thanks so much!

[Lori, Winnie, Bob and Indie]

Here is a pic of the last time I groomed Winnie. I used a 5/8" comb attachment on her body, neck and chin, which is the shortest that I've ever trimmed her. It makes it soooo much easier to maintain! Since I like the legs a little longer, I used a 3/4" comb on her upper legs, and 1" in the lower legs. Her belly and sani areas were done with a 3/8" comb attachment.

I also like a longer "doodley" head, so I skimmed her topknot  lightly with a 1" attachment. Curved shears were used on her ears, and blending shears were used on her face and above her eyes.I also used the blending shears on the back of her head and neck to soften the transition to her shorter body. 

I love grooming her- it's so much fun! And, I love seeing other owners do their own grooming, too. If we don't like how it turns out, we have no one but ourselves to blame right?! Lol

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Lori - what a terrific groom!  I love how Winnie looks. I have cut Beau's hair on occasion, but never Charlie's - he has such thick hair and it has an s curl close to skin.  I love this look. What clipper do you use?

[Lori, Winnie, Bob and Indie]

Thank you! I use a Wahl Arco SE- love it! It's cordless, quiet and powerful.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001C46R50?psc=1&redirect=true...

[Kamela & Beckett]

You do a great job! Thanks for the specific instructions!

[Lori, Winnie, Bob and Indie]

Thank you! BTW- I have Stephanie (above) to thank, too. Her link that she posted was VERY helpful. I remember finding that post when I was searching around on this site before I groomed Winnie for the first time.