After Much Deliberation...

[Camilla and Darwin]

After much deliberation, combing through lots and lots of discussions, and agonizing, I came to a decision.

I was brushing through Darwin today, and found three matts on his chest. I knew it must be the beginning of the dreaded coat change. I have to say I AM prepared. I bought a new brush, and i have already developed the habit of completely line brushing him every night. But after working on those matts for 20 minutes, his fur was red and sore and he hated it the whole time.

I decided that although I would have to continue brushing through him daily, it would be a lot easier if his coat was shorter. I recently posted about how puffy Darwin has become, and it really has. I knew it would be much easier to tangle than if I cut it down to a more reasonable length. I really didn't want to. I had become accustomed to constantly being stopped on the street and having Darwin fawned over. People loved his outrageous puffiness. But I thought it would be easier for both of us.

So, I cut it all off. It's around a half inch now. I have since noted two large differences. Brushing through him takes less time, much less. And second, he is much more comfortable now. I think he was always really hot in our little apartment, judging from how he always insisted on laying against the door crack, where the winter air leaked in. Now, he will cuddle with me on the couch as long as I want him to. Also, he has seemed to be MUCH more ambitious when he is playing with his friends. His good doggie friend Mauii is a VERY energetic lab and she loves to run. He would halfheartedly chase her around but plop down for a breather fairly quickly. These past few days, he has been a madman! He has chased Mauii around until we forced him to come in. Perhaps it is that he is cooler now, so he doesn't overheat as quickly. Perhaps he just feels different without all the fur.

Bottom line, as much as I loved my fluffy puffy pup... we are both happier now. Perhaps one day I will grow it out to it's earlier length. But we are both enjoying the new shorter do! Hopefully I will get better with time with his grooming... it looks a little choppy!

Before:

After:

[Sally]

love it!!!! he looks like a velvet teddy bear.

[Kyoko]

He looks really nice! You did a great job!!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

He looks great to me too. It's a big step to groom them yourself but I have found it to be fun and I know I will get just the look I want. The best part is Murphy doesn't care if I make a mistake!!!

[Camilla and Darwin]

I used an Andis Clipper set that I bought for fifty bucks, I just shaved his body down to 1/2 inch and cut his face with scissors. It wasn't hard, but I did it in two different segments to give him a break. I slowly built him up to being able to sit still through our brushing routine. Just giving him high level treats as I did it and slowly increasing the time. Now he sits nicely during the whole thing!

[Kathy Spyker]

I thinks he looks cute, and I'm sure he's more comfortable.

[Donna K & Quincy]

He looks great. The last time I had Quincy groomed it cost me $175, way too much to get it done every 8 weeks or so which how often he needs to be groomed. He is 1yr now and he has matts everyday. I brush and comb him almost every day but it's not much fun for either of us. I'de like to trim him myself but am scared to do it. What did you use to trim Darwin and how did you get him to stay still?

[F, Calla & Luca]

Why torture yourself and him when he looks great in his new do?

[BetteB]

He looks awesome! You did a great job!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

He looks fantastic! I just did the same thing with Guinness...live is now easier for both of us.

[Camilla and Darwin]

Thanks Everyone! Adina, Yes! He is way softer now. I didn't expect that!