Matted Fur!!

[Karen P]

Chewie just got his first shorter summer cut. He is almost 10 months old.  He really did not matt with his hair longer.  Now that his coat is nice and short he has become a matted mess on his chest.  Do some doodles actually matt more with shorter fur?  He has a wavy coat.  Also, what would be the best product to use to try and get out all of his matts?

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Try BedHead for human Babies. I haven't tried it yet but my groomer says it is better than Cowboy Magic!

[Karen P]

Thank you I will give it a try. His fur is a disaster!!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Just wanted to be sure to also say that keeping him short through this coat change process will really help you to keep up with the combing. I know many of us don't like the shorter cuts, but it really makes it a lot easier. If you don't have a Les Pooches brush, do a search on here and read what others have said. I'm a HUGE fan, and couldn't live without mine. I've almost worn one out I think. Others didn't care for them. I think it depends a lot on the dog. My Sophie hates a comb, but will let me Les Pooches her all day!

[Barb @ Gemstone Labradoodles]

I agree that it is the timing and not the length of coat that is causing the matting. Comb, comb, comb

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Ned is one of those doodles who will mat-for-life. He had a coat change lasting 1- 1/2 years! The major matting area traveled as that part of his coat changed over. We use detangling products and expensive tools. We have him trimmed between 3 and 6 weeks. Ned's fur is extremely thick and cottony. We brushed and combed him at least every other day for that year and a half. Depending upon his coat at the moment, we may need to brush him every other day or we can go a week. We are mostly empty-nesters so we have the time to devote to keeping him 'pretty.'

[ej]

"a matted mess on his chest." By any chance does he wear a harness instead of a collar?

I notice Koda gets really matted on his chest and under his "arms" whenever we use a harness on him.

[Karen P]

No he does not. But that would make sense.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

BTW Ned can ONLY wear a rolled leather collar because he mats quickly and badly with any other kind. I like to put bandannas on him sometimes but he needs to have his neck area brushed out after wearing one.