short-haired doodle

[Judith and Addie]

Well, now that I have moved, I took my little girl to a new groomer, recommended by a neighbor. I discussed with the groomer how I wanted Addie groomed. In our long move *six weeks of living with various relatives across three states) Addie started growing in her adult coat. I also discovered that halters = mats. So before grooming, Addie's body coat was about 2.5 - 3 inches and her head was about 4 inches & legs around three inches. I asked to have her groomed 2" overall. The groomer said her chest had quite a bit of matting, her head had knots, and she had some mats around her knees. I now have a short-hair doodle. Her body is 1/2 inch, and her head is 2". Her legs are okay length.

So, do short-haired 10 month old doodles need sweaters when it is 18 degrees outside? (and a new groomer)

before

after

 

[Lynda Kamrath]

Personally, I think she looks great.  Looks like a puppy cut to me with a nice rounded head and long tail.  She, BTW, is a beautiful phantom and you can accent a little bit if you do your own cutting.  You could leave the head a little longer, but that is all I would suggest.  It grows out quickly (maybe too quickly).  When you talk of cold, how cold?  Her hair length is fine for keeping her warm enough for walks and potty runs, but what else are you doing outside?  When I was letting Harpo's hair grow out in an attempt to dred his coat, I went to the local Salvation Army store and looked through the children's coats and sweatshirts, bought the ones about the correct size and came home and made some alterations with my sewing machine.  They were great for what we wanted them for (keeping him warm with his long wet coat).  Well, when that passed, the clothes went out with the donations on curbside and he wears no clothes since then.  His thick coat keeps him plenty warm, but this is California.

[Judith and Addie]

We are in NE Maryland, just moved up from central NC. I expect the low temps to be usually in the teens and 20's with a few single digit or an occasional below zero (Fahrenheit). I am attempting to take her on a couple 30-45 minute walks a day both for training and exercise. We had been going to the dog park, but I think that is where she was getting so dirty and matted. Also, it is a 30 minute drive. So I guess I shouldn't worry.