Fleece coat -- Scissors or Clipper?

[ej]

Koda was supposed to be groomed today.  Six months ago, he was shaved down to1/2" all over cos he was badly matted during his coat change.  This time, I really thought I had made up my mind that he would not be shaved, but would be scissor-cut from his current length of 2" to 1".  After spending 10 mins explaining to the groomer how I want Koda to look (showed her pictures of some of your doodles), she frowned and explained that Koda's coat was not suitable to be scissor-cut as his hair's not frizzy like a standard poodle.  Just want to know if it matters to you if your dog is groomed using the clipper or scissors.  The reason I have for prefering scissors is I don't want the texture of his coat to change.  Does it make sense?  Anyway, we left without grooming Koda :)  He is still as unkempt as ever.

 

Here's how he currently looks... 

[Deb, Connor & Simon]

He is just an adorable little muppet! What a face!

[Leslie C.]

What a happy cutie!! I'm thinking he could have been cut with scissors as my groomer just did LiliBear and she said it took her 5 hours because of all of the matts and that next time I bring her that matted she will get shaved . . . I need to get in a regular brushing routine. Now, LiliBear's coat is about 3/4 of an inch.
Good Luck,Leslie

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I'm not sure why it would matter with the texture whether it was scissors or clippers. I'm guessing the lady didn't want to scissor cut because it would take a whole lot longer to scissor cut than with the clippers. I don't have any trouble with the coat length and the clippers as long as they are really combed out really well before hand. Lucy's is a little harder for the clippers to go through so I just have to take my time. Sophie on the other hand is a breeze. I used to ask that the girls be scissor cut when I was taking them to the groomers because I felt like as long as I told them NO clippers, that there was no way I would end up with a shaved doodle. I got tired of stressing over it and just decided to take the task on myself. Scary the first time, but now it makes my life a whole lot easier doing it myself. I will say though "Koda is adorable".

[2loqbxc1f3777]

Great looking doodle. :)

If NOT matted...he can be groomed with a clipper and a LONG guard on it...then hand sizzored after that, never clippers on the face only hand thinned or sizzored....Your groomer does not understand this or doesn't want to do it...The texture won't change with either sizzor or clippers the coat will be what the coat will be...

My groomer Liz often posts on here and is creating a grooming vedio for doodle families and groomers to teach what the proper way to cut a doodle is....All my dogs and that of some other local doodle breeders have been the demos for years until we came on the perfect "doodle look" that we like depending on the coat...Not all are condusive to the same cut depending if wool or fleece...

~~Smiles~~:)

Carol/scl

Southern Charm Labradoodles

[Barb @ Gemstone Labradoodles]

Your doode's coat will not change with using a clipper or scissors. That only happens to dogs who are not supposed to have a haircut like a shepherd or chow.
If your doode has a nice fleece coat, then using a clipper with an extension is a great way to get the length to 1 or 2 inches. I usually still scissor the legs, because I want to shape them properly. The coat on the leg needs to be longer towards the bottom of the leg than it is at the top.
To me, it does look like he could be scissored, but your groomer is right in that it is easier to scissor a wool doodle than a fleece one and vice verse. It is easier to use a clipper on a fleece doodle than scissors. Groomers are always trying to save time. It's part of the training.
By the way, great looking doode.

[ej]

Groomer did say that the legs and face would be scissor-cut. She said she could do scissor-cut for the entire body if I insisted, but it would take her at least 5 hrs, and instead of S$130, it would be S$240.

If clipper-cut does not affect the coat and produces the same result, then I really don't see why I should insist.

There is another groomer whom I have asked and checked, she specializes in doodles, and she only uses scissors, never a clipper unless to shave the doodle due to ticks or horrible matts. However, her grooming salon is in the back room, behind closed door. Yeah, I am an overly protective mom, I need to be there to watch and wait for Koda.

Thanks everyone for the compliments on Koda and your comments. Happy Memorial Day weekend!

[Lauria Orr]

Koda is just beautiful and looks like a very happy dog. Melody's groomer said she would scissor cut Melody, and only use a clippers if matting was too difficult to work out. My husband had bathed Melody when I was out of town...she rolled around on her back to dry off, and matted up her back quite heavily. The groomer used conditioner and detangler. I bought some detangler myself later (Chris Christensen "Ice on Ice" and some "Day By Day" conditioner, also a Chris Chris Christensen product.) She did not need the clippers and the groomer doesn't think she will need them in the future, if I prefer the scissor cut. It does take longer, but I like the results. Melody has a mixed coat.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Koda is adorable! A total muppet! My Gracie Doodle is also a GoldenDoodle but not nearly as puffy as Koda. Though everyone thinks she is a muppet as well! I noticed you are from Singapore??? What is the reaction over there with Koda?? Is he unique and one of a kind??

[Carol Brand]

The reason that it would be hard to scissor this coat is because it lays down and doesn't "stick out". If you ever watch a groomer scissor on a coat you will understand. The coat is fluffed with a comb and then the scissors are moved over the body getting an even finish. Think topiary.

I agree that clippers with a guard comb will most likely give you the look you want. BTW..... The only thing that changes the texture of a coat is genetics.

[ej]

We are beginning to see more doodles these days. About 20 months back when we first got him, people were so facinated by his appearance, and would stop us to find out more about him (one guy actually pulled over, jumped out of his car to ask us about Koda). We first explained that he is a crossed of two pure breeds, but people always gave us this "you can't be serious" look... some commented that he looked like pure bred. These days, people still approach us to find out more about him, but many would ask "is this a labradoodle?". There's a pet supplies store in Singapore selling their Australian multigen-labradoodles like hotcakes, at S$7000-8000! I heard they have sold more than 50 dogs in the past 1 yr. I once asked where they got all their doods from, they said its from an Australia breeder but would not disclose the name of the breeder.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Scissor cut and scissor cut - and their coats are about as different as night and day!Ned has extremely thick wool/fleece and Clancy has loose curls that are definitely not wool.

[Carol Brand]

So are you saying that your groomer totally hand scissored each of those dogs?