Grooming the 1st Year

[Kim Storey]

Has anyone heard you're NOT suppose to cut a DG's hair the first year? Gracie is going through some coat changes and has long and short hair. I've thought of trimming her coat "some", but really hate to cut her "puppy hair" off. I''m not sure what to do...HELP PLEASE :)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Sure you can cut the fur. Most people don't like a shave - I am one of them. We have been getting Ned groomed since we got him at 3 1/2 months. His fur began matting at 6 months so we really keep on top of brushing, thinning and grooming stuff.

[Sally, Echo and Emmi]

My breeder did tell me not to shave my pup down the first year. She said she didn't know if it was an old wives tale or not but some people say it won't grow back the same. She said when he starts to mat with the coat change I should have him cut back 50% but not shaved...just in case!

[cheryl & oliver]

O never heard that before. I just had Oliver's coat cut and shaped, he is just 6 mos. old ..His coat was a disaster with puppy fur and new fur, so I took him in and had him shaped and cut to see how he would look...Well he looks so great!!!...He has a great coat, kind of wavy, and loose curls on his head, and his fur is very thick and soft...Even the vet commemnted on his coat. But he did just fine, and I and wait till u see how adorable he looks, lol...That puppy fur on mine was like cow licks all over his body, lol...I am hoping that Olivers coat stays like this...