Cording--I'm Going to Mat My DOG

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

For several days I've researched articles and videos of cording a dogs coat.  There are some positive and negative conditions to doing this to a dogs coat.  I do not see anyone on here that cords the coat of an F1b.  Also known as Dreadlocks.

Positive--no more brushing. Ease in daily grooming for the dog.   A way to deal with unruly, unbrushable doodle coats.  I don't mind the time it takes to do this.  I take that much time grooming him anyway.

Negative--there is the same amount of time that goes into grooming however progress is very SLOW.  Months to Years.  The coats have a different way to be kept clean, wash, and DRY--oh my how long it takes to dry.  12 hours or more. If not, the coats smell and can mold.
It takes at least 6 months to One year to make a coat like this--most of the time it takes much longer to have a nice look.  The first  year the look is messy.

We can add a lot to the above P/N

Some owners thought it was masochist to try and brush out a coat that has a network of fibers at the base of the coat--which is what I find in Spud.  A THICK DENSE GAUZE-LIKE BASE.  Spud is miserable with the whole process. 

Spud HATES grooming.  It doesn't even work with his coat after a certain length. He hates hair/coat products that prevent matting.  The smells make him run and growl.  He will allow me to clean his ears now, but do not attempt to place a smelly conditioner on his curls.  In cording you use NO products, no scented or oily conditioners.  On article said, Dawn Soap was the best.   The other alternative is to keep him clipped.    We've done that... we are moving on for now. 

I've never liked the frizzy poodle look--he hates grooming and gets the frizzy poodle look. 

The pictures and videos are common in Europe and many there do cording for the wooley poodle coat, breeds of water dogs, Pulis and Komodors.  

Here are some videos on how to cord:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gMkydW5Qrs&feature=related

Komodor Puppies--these look like Doodles to me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ig7VBYnCrg&feature=related

This is my favorite--look how beautiful
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ebp7sTLd-XY


I'll let you know what happens.  He is not long enough yet.  My guess is that we are a month away. 

LET THE MATS BEGIN.   YES, I'm going to MAT MY DOG!

P.S.  Thanks to Nancy, Ned and Clancy, Nina, Phil and Harlow, and Shelly and Tori,  for their help and encouragement on my new project

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

He looks fabulous! I am so impressed.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Oh Spud! You are gorgeous! Congratulations Joanne, you've done a magnificent joy.

[Kaira]

I think he looks super cute.  I couldn't ever see doing this to my doodle but I have been reading through this thread and I totally get why you are doing it with yours.  He looks cute. :)

 

[Donna K & Quincy]

Spud looks great,  are you really going to shave him for summer?

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Yes.  He swims too much.  We go to a beach that is full of SAND.   We will just restart next fall.  This is his life now.  It grows back and was no more work than a tri-weekly brushing.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Joanne, what did you do with his muzzle and chin? Are those areas corded too?

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

He dips those in the water bowl 17 times a day.  They just take care of themselves.  I did just cut out a mat--or food junk--or whatever he had stashed in his stache and trimmed him up yesterday.

[Sally, Ditzy Mitzi & Sgt. Pepper]

Joanne, he looks positively adorable!  Good job!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Thank you all for your support--even you. who thought I was absolutely crazy,   for at least watching this blog.  And I was crazy.   Crazy and desperate.

One more word about this though--I DO NOT RECOMMEND this for the beautiful doodle coats.  Starlit has a great coat--in my mind she is what doodles should be.  But, to have a dog, who freaks at grooming, has a coat  thicker than a lead wall, who hates grooming and all the hundreds of  products--Well, as far as doodles and grooming goes--I got screwed!  LOL

So, it did work for us, but I'll take a soft fleecy doodle coat  and a good grooming brush any day.  This was  my last resort.  Now let's see what a hot humid summer will bring.  HA.  That will be the ultimate test.  

[Taylor & Huff]

Wow Spud looks so good. I have read this discussion (blog?) before but  idon't think I have commented. I read it from the beginning and this is my first time checking back since then but I have often wondered how it went and I see it went great.:) Spud looks so handsome:) Good job:)

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Oh the Mud.  With the yard  under water or filled with mud for two months it became impossible to keep his cords clean, which almost reached 5 inches. So I cut them again.  He looks like Popcorn   :)    Still, it has been almost a year and NO BRUSHING.   The cords on his feet were completely taken off but the rest made it through.

BEFORE

AFTER

They look a little shorter but in length they are 2.5 inches long.

I don't like the tail.  It cords great but I miss the beautiful doodle tail.  Otherwise, all is well.  I see by the pictures I have to fine tune the cuts ( he is so nice to work with --NOT) but I hope to smooth it up this week.   We will see what summer brings in this adventure.

You might love it our hate it.  That's okay.  It's just an adventure and for us, it is an alternative to the 10 blade.

p.s.  I still think those beautiful poodles have hair extensions!  They can have them--this is long enough for us.

 

[Sally, Ditzy Mitzi & Sgt. Pepper]

He is adorable with cords!  And I'll bet you are right about the poodles!  Gads, they even use hair spray on the show dogs!