Time for first grooming?

[Becka]

Is anyone else with a new puppy wondering how to know when it's time for the first haircut? Sadie's hair is wavy//fluffy, not curly, and she doesn't really shed (although I brush her every other day and there's usually some hair in the brush). I'm attaching a few pix I just took this morning (her lower belly is shaved because she was spayed on the 7th). I'm not in a big hurry to do this (now or ever, if I don't need to) except that a shorter coat would make it easier to rinse her off at the dog park every day (she's a mud magnet) and I'm curious about how much it might curl up if shorter. However, I don't want to lose her pretty apricot highlights.

UPDATE: I just spent some time brushing and combing out Sadie's coat and got way more fur/hair in the brush than ever. I don't know if she's starting to blow her puppy coat, or if she's turning into a more of a shedder, but I think I am going to get her trimmed next week. Does she look fluffier here than in the photos above?

[Amanda & Riley]

Ive wondered the same thing with my puppy. How many months is she?

[Becka]

She'll be six months next week.

 

I am not planning to groom her myself--one of us would end up bald. Probably me.

[Jaime and Barley Barker]

I think I brought Barley to the groomer's to have his feet trimmed when he was four months old. I wanted him to get the socialization experience and get to know the groomer. (I always go to the same place.) However, I didn't have him get the full wash and clip until he was six months old. I made sure he was up-to-date on all of his vaccinations before we went. My guide is that I take him to get clipped when his hair starts growing around his eyes. I've heard it is good to keep the hair around the eyes clipped down so it doesn't scratch the dog's corneas.

[Julie, Boomer, Milo & Casey]

Even if you don't want the hair cut, I think its a good idea to go soon so she can get use to someone handling her, all the noises and smells of the salon etc.    Our groomer calls it a "tidy" clean where she clips between the paw pads, cleans ears, and private areas.    I think thats a good place to start.

 

Also, Sadie looks more wavy than curly so I can't imagine her hair curling up much more than it already is if cut shorter.  

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I brought Riley when he was 14 weeks old just for a wash/nail clip and trim around the eyes.  Even though I am going to groom him myself I thought it would be good to get him used to the experience.  I am going to do a one day dog/owner course at a very good groomer here to perfect my own skills. You learn how to use the clippers and the scissors and practice on your own dog.

[Judi, David & Maddie Irishdoodle]

I trimmed Maddie's face when her hair started curling into her eyes - not sure of her age but probably 6 or 7 months old.

Now I give her a scissor cut all over every 6 weeks or so because of the warm weather we are having.  Would love to let her grow out for the winter as long as she doesn't matt when she plays in the snow.

[Becka]

Maddie is so pretty! It looks like she got some of the silkiness of the setter in her coat--am I right?

[Judi, David & Maddie Irishdoodle]

Oh thank you Becka - yes I do think Maddies coat is silky because of the setter however she does have a few areas that are more poodley (her butt near her tail). I love Sadies whispy, wavey fur - She's gorgeous.

[Becka]

Thank you! I think so too!