How long is too long?

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

Bandit's hair is about 5 inches long all over his body.  Obviously his face, head and legsare a little shorter.  He doesn't matt at all.  Do you think it will just continue to grow? Is there anything to be concerned about when their hair is this long?  I really don't want to cut him because he looks really adorable, when it gets to be warmer we will have to cut him.  Can they even do a scissor cut on him?

 

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

8 inches wow!! I will have to go look at your pics to see that.  I am going to keep it growing until it gets warm.  He is already adverse to the cold so if we cut it now that wouldn't be good!

[Leslie and Halas]

It's hard to tell in the pictures, because the long coat just makes him look gigantic.  It's tough to tell what is coat and what is dog.  Like in this picture, he's in full coat. He had been going to the groomer, but only for face, feet, and fanny.  I could take a small section of fur, put a ruler at the base, and the fur would reach to the 8 inch mark.  He was about a year and 3 months old in this pic, and he was a skinny guy, so most of this is hair.  But he matted like crazy at this point.  Even if he didn't mat with the longer coat, it still takes a lot less time to brush through a 2 or 3 inch coat than an 8 inch coat.  The longer coats are gorgeous, though.

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

ohh how cute "Harry Halas"!!

[Pat and Traveler]

Hi, Bandit!  Traveler here.  I'm making a comment because after my mom read your post she started making a strange whimpering sound and said she had to lie down for a while with a cold cloth on here forehead.  WTD??  Anyhow, thought I'd help her out and the 'puter was still open to this discussion.  You're really lucky, dood!  And beautiful!  I sure didn't like that grooming stuff when I had matts--it was awful!  My mom didn't like it either.  Then I got pretty much shaved, and my mom was unhappy all over again!  People!!  Anyhow, be happy about your coat, Bandit!  You got it made!  Now I'd better take a few toys over to my mom.  Good thing I can always make her laugh. 

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

Hey Traveler!  I don't know why my mom is worried about my hair, I think I look pretty good too!  And all the girls at daycare dig me too!!  Besides, when my hair was short everyone said I looked like a rabbit!! WTD!

[Camilla and Darwin]

No advice, but I'm so jealous! And Bandit is gorgeous with his hair that length!

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

Thanks Camilla!  I think the worst part is that when we play in the snow he takes forever to dry.  And the snow berries get huge on his long hair, but we are going to keep it!!

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

When Cooper was little we let her fur grow - she was born in April and didnt get a cut for about a year. Her fur was around 6 inches. When she started to loose her puppy fur I cut it down to about 3 inches - i couldnt bear to go shorter. well, we have a really hot summer so i ended up cutting her down to 1 1/2 - 2 inches. I have since let it grow - she is at around 4 inches on her body, 5 inches on her legs. I do cut her face shorter so I can see her eyes a little, and her sani area is always pretty short, blended into her legs so it doesnt look silly.  Her tail is probably getting to about 8 inches - time for a trim! 

 

I brush Cooper about once a month, and pull apart a few mats each day. She mats a little, but I love how her fur goes a bit like dreadlocks - tight curls and sheepy like waves. The mats brush out very easy as they are very slight. She does mat more under her ears

[Taylor & Huff]

If it doesn't mat, let it grow! Can I tell you a secret?

You don't really need to cut his hair when it gets warmer. It is his insulation. It acttually keeps the heat out.

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

Yes we will let it grow, but Bandit does get hot in the summer, maybe because his fur is jet black, just like his cyber twin Maddy

[Taylor & Huff]

You might be right, black hair keeps heat in.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I'm not sure it is unique to black doods. Tara is MUCH more uncomfortable in the heat with her coat longer. She doesn't want to be held and spends her time laying on the cool floor.  Once she gets clipped down she seems much more comfortable.

I am familiar with the belief that dogs stay cooler with long hair in the summer. Maybe it has to do with undercoats or something? Tara has no undercoat and seems colder in the winter and hotter in the summer than our previous dogs who did have undercoats.  Just a guess...