should I cut my doodles hair this summer

[frances jeffery]

I dont know if I should get Harvey cut this year he is five months old at the moment English weather isnt that hot but I just dont know I want to leave him this year and get it done next but my Husband thinks other wise any advise much welcomed...

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Well, we had Myla's done after a year, they have a puppy coat that will change, most tend to get tangled and matted and this results in having to shave them down and start over. So if you can keep him brushed and cool ?????

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I think Tara had her first cut at around 8 months. She could have had one sooner though because I was fighting mats and tangles for a good month prior!  I would just keep an eye on him for comfort and for mats. You can always get it cut at any time during the summer if he seems too warm or starts shedding his puppy coat.  He so cute!!!

[Melissa & Porter]

There are some valid arguments that the long hair protects dogs from the heat--something about the transfer of heat from tip to base of each strand and vice versa.  But this is for light-haired dogs.  Dark-haired dogs absorb more heat--rather than reflect it.  That strand conductance has an uphill battle so long is not really better.  They can stay cool though if you get them wet or give them something cold to press against.

Apart from panting, dogs also maintain temp by pressing their bellies against cold things: grass or water or tile.  Or they lie on their backs to get a breeze on the belly skin. 

In the heat of a New Jersey summer, I keep Porter to an inch of hair and let him immerse himself in a small plastic pool in the backyard or in a stream while we walk.  Longer hair would make this harder and messier.  Don't feel super short/shaved is better though--you really do want a layer of hair.  Porter's skin is blue and sunburn would be so awful.

[sammiesilas]

I know this sounds crazy but it's for real. I heard that there are certain hair extensions that will except animal fur? Is that true? Is this one? Anyone know about this one: http://www.proextensions.com]www.proextensions.com

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I wonder is there any benefit in shaving the belly area without touching the top and legs?  I am getting my puppy in a few weeks and am preparing myself for lots of brushing and combing especially when the adult coat comes in.  Ireland isn't that hot that I would need to worry about the heat factor.  Harvey is gorgeous, where does he come from?

[frances jeffery]

Hi Nicky

thankyou for the compliment yes our Harvey is a bit special .....we live in sussex the breeder is in wales I met the other doodles in the forest in sussex they came from the same breeder and they are both adorable as well from sussex to cardiff in wales is around a 4 hour drive so it was unusual to have three doodles living in the same village moore or less  from the same breeder they are very good friends now and get on so well ...i think i will leave Harvey and see how he gets on with the heat ..thanks again X

[Sue, Lola, Pongo & Hubby]

If I remember correctly, Lola got her first cut around the 1year-old mark (she was born in July..and it was about the next July that we had her forst official groom)....she loves her cuts. She gets very hot otherwise. She just seemed more comfortable, and was able to stay outside without panting like crazy. It also made brushing her an easier job.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Harvey and friends are adorable! I would wait to cut him down until his starts to mat.

[L.M.]

I've noticed lots of conversations about this topic in the past few weeks.  I was so anti cut/ shave down when I first got my Seamus, BUT my mind has changed.  My doodles are extremely heat sensitive.  I have 2 doodles to compare....my older guy, Seamus, is almost 2 and just had a shave down.  Today, it's 80 degrees.  He is very comfy...no heavy panting.  My little doodle is 8 months and has yet to have a shave down, and today she is panting like crazy.  So I really think heat affects these dogs very much.  They slow down a lot in the summer and ALWAYS find the tiniest bit of shade to lay in all year round.  

This is of course just my opinion, but I think a great alternative to a complete shave down is keeping the head poufs and beards.  They maintain their beautiful doodle heads, but are MUCH more comfortable, easier to keep clean, and just seem more energetic and happy!  =)  

[Leslie, Dexter & Kirby]

Once Dexter was a year old, we started shaving him down expecially in the summer.  Now we do this with both doodles - they honestly seem happier (and definitely have a lot more energy) when they have short hair.  We get them cut (or cut them ourselves) about every 3-4 months.

Since your doodle is so young, I would consider a trim for now.  I'm not sure how a drastic cut would impact the adult coat.

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

I live west coast canada, the weather is very similar to the UK (I lived in the UK til a few years ago). I cut Cooper last year when she was just over a year old. Not too short, 2 inches on her body, 3 inches on her legs. We have a spell of really hot weather and she seemed much better with the short fur.  The hot weather only lasted a month though, and I have been growing her fur since then. I will wait til the summer and see what weather we get. If she seems hot Ill cut her, if she seems ok ill leave it long

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

I was afraid to cut Sasha & Oliver's hair because it is so slow growing and I love their hair.  But summer is coming so I decided to take "baby" steps towards shorter hair for the summer.  I had Sasha trimmed to about 3 inches long and I had Oliver trimed but with only a inch cut off (be is black so I may have to get him shorter).  I did not want to "shock" my dogs with a short cut all at once...... "we" need to enter slowly into this terriroty :)   I just love when their hair is long but Sasha knots/matts so easily and I figured it would be much easier to keep clean during the summer months.