What kind of tools?

[Renee Bogi]

I have been using a "people" paddle brush on Zoey becasue it is the only think that I found that keeps her wavy ringlets looking nice.  But recently we found a huge matt hiding under her collar.  I never thought to take it off.  What was I thinking (or not thinking).  What kind of combs/brushes should I be using?  Aslo, i have noticed people talking about pulling out the baby hair so it does not matt with the adult hair.  What does it mean to pull out the hair?  Should I be using a fermanator comb or something special?  What kind of special tools should I be using when I find a matt?

 

This her current "hair dew" before her upcoming trim.  lol... doesn't it look like she is smoking a cigar.  Its her treat.  Does your doodle always have to have something in his/her mouth?

 

Thanks,

Renee

[Tracy L Boring]

Renee,
I love her coat. She is gorgeous. How old is she?

[Bonnie and Kona]

What a darling picture. Yes, my doodles always, always have something in their mouths. If I come home and they do not have a toy, they will grab anything to present to me in glee!

[Camilla and Darwin]

We use a slicker brush

http://www.amazon.com/Mgt-Ergonomic-Slicker-Brush-Med/dp/B000F285RI

 

and a metal comb. 

http://www.amazon.com/Master-Grooming-Steel-Greyhound-Comb/dp/B003W...

 

Your doodle will get mats if you are not very diligent about combing and brushing. You can find MANY discussions on this. Just search "matting" or "brushing" and you will see. :-) The best way is line brushing. Brush hair in small sections with the slicker, first in the opposite direction of the hair growth, then in the same direction. Then comb through with the steel comb, the side that is more fine/close together. If the comb can go through, all the way from the skin you know there are no mats. We don't keep Darwin's collar on him in the house because it gives him mats. Grooming your doodle can be time consuming but they are so cute it's worth it. :-)

 

It does look like she's smoking a cigar... adorable!

[Helen & Kirby]

I wish I could upload a picture of Kirby--she has the same coat as Zoey!   And yes, she just got mats under her collar too.  She was totally mat free two weeks ago, and then BAM suddenly the fur just hits a certain point and MAT!   I comb and comb, and comb and she is mat free then ZAP!  it just happens anyway!  (New computer is in the works, and I'll put a pic of Kirby up)  I would also like to know about pulling out the puppy hair.  My doodle is 14 month old --how old is Zoey?

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

We found that we had to go to a rolled leather collar for Ned.  The coat mats much less around the rolled leather than flat collars, especially nylon ones.

[Cynthia and Magic]

I agree.....ever since we got the rolled leather collar, Magic has never had another matt under his collar! Made a huge difference..

[Renee Bogi]

Zoey is 11 months.  I have a soft slicker but I usually do not use it on her because it makes her frizzy.  She loves the paddel brush even thought its not a proper brush but it works for us.  I know there must be special tools for her hair type. Guess it might be a fleece mixture.  She has soft wavy hair on her chest and legs (I am hoping this will be her permanent hair type) Her back is more wavy/spiral and a little coarser.  She has the soft hair on her head also.

 

[Tracy L Boring]

I love her coat. I have a standard one year old that is a very soft fleece coat that is still going through the coat change, and one two year old soft wool coat that is almost done. How big is she? She is just so gorgeous.

[Kyoko]

I mostly use rake and the metal comb. I saw the rake for long haired dogs, which each pins rotate. I am thinking about trying that one, too.

[Kate C Pappas]

I LOVE the smoking the cigars pix!!! MIne do that too. Check out the Les Pooches line of brushes and you can discuss your needs with Kemp at Doodle Country Store. I use those (green and purple) as well as pin brushes, rotating tooth combs and more. Take a look at my blog on grooming and you'll find a list of what I use. But every person is different as is every Doodle. I learned by trial and error. Most of my serious grooming tools come from Chris Christensen. I like it that they have left handed scissors too. Geib is another high end brand of scissors and I would love to get some curved scissors from them.

You can start slowly, and invest in the BEST. You'll do a better job and will enjoy using their tools. I know some people happily use Fiskars scissors or whatever from Target and they have no problem with it. It's simply, use what works for you.