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:

[Eva]

Hi Camillla,
He is beautiful and does make him look younger. I don't know if the dogs necessarilly care if they look younger, but what the heck. I do agree he probably is more comfortable and sleek and staying much cooler when romping. We have a longer coated goldendoodle and are having the same problems. To be cute and cuddly and hot or more comfortable, easier to groom and a tad less attractive to people! lol. So I'll be doing the same thing to her. Good choice, Eva

[Adina P]

He looks great both ways...but I do love how velvety soft they become when they have haircuts =)

[Karen P]

You did a great job. He looks so cute. The shorter fur makes him look more like a puppy !!

[Camilla and Darwin]

Thanks for the picture. I wasn't sure exactly what tools to buy. I am going to go out and get one of those.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

These kinds of tools (de-matters, sometimes called V-rakes) work even better than a comb for untangling & keeping them matt free all the way to the skin. They're very inexpensive, too.

[Rose]

Darwin looks great! Good job!

[Linda,Yankee & Finn]

I love his new look. I went through this when Yankee was younger and I also gave up. I keep him shorter now and he also doesn't seem as hot as he was before. It's the best decision.

[Camilla and Darwin]

I do line brush and then use a metal tooth comb after each section. Perhaps I need to find a finer toothed comb though.

[Phoebe's Mom]

Last week, I had Phoebe clipped as well--the matting was impossible to stay on top of-- though she is a bit longer than Darwin. I LOVE it. She is all curly and fluffy. I did leave her mop top intact though as I love the shaggy dog look. Darwin looks precious either way!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Yes, Karen's tip works. I use a combo Les Poochs brush (which works well on matts) and steel comb. I usually use the brush first, then comb, then clip it out if all else fails. I have only had to clip a few out! But I am getting her a trim tomorrow just to keep in manageable during the coat change.