TO TRIM OR NOT TO TRIM...THAT IS THE QUESTION

[Pam and Ginger Snap]

Ginger is a 7 month puppy...wavy coat.  As the temps get hotter, several people have asked me if I am going to give her a summer cut.  One person went so far as to tell me I was being mean to my dog.  I explained that Ginger is an inside dog...and doesn't spend much time outside.

 

The look I was going for was a shaggy look...not  short.   I searched for a puppy that would have wavy hair and look like a muppet! Ginger is perfect!

But now I am wondering if I am being mean to Ginger.  She seems fine, but it is HOT and only going to get hotter as I travel this summer to Pensacola FL and New Orleans. 

 

How do most people handle this?

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

I loved Sedona's long, shaggy look, so I was a bit sad when we first cut her short (mostly because with the puppy coat issue she was matting terribly despite frequent brushing).  When we brought her home from the groomer, she looked skinny and naked, BUT I've grown to love her short look even more than the shaggy.  We keep her trimmed year round and think she's adorable!!!

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

I am sure you have Ginger's best interests at heart, if the heat doesn't seem to bother her than why cut her?  Some doodles don't seem to notice a difference in the temperature.  My goldendoodle Hunter is a HOT dog, she just has zero energy if I keep her fur long in the summer.  I get her shaved down because she seems to be more comfortable but she does spend time outside because we camp a lot and in general she likes to be outside.  She also swims A LOT and having the super short cut is much easier for me to maintain.  I have seen plenty of doodles camping and at the dog park with full coats in the summer and their owners say they never appear over heated.  Don't let anyone tell you what to do :-)

[Pat and Traveler]

Like others have said, it's really up to you.  I'm not planning to get Trav trimmed again by anyone other than me as he got pretty well scalped once, and it just wasn't a good look for him.  :)  I have a hose, or bowls of water for an impromptu bath, so that's just going to have to do it for the hot time of summer.  Not that it gets really hot very often in the Portland, OR area. 

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

YOu don't even need AC in Portland!!! (born there)

[Pat and Traveler]

Allyson--a native Portlander!  Strangely, I don't know too many natives--and I was (gasp) born in California.  I don't have AC.  :)

[Happy Doodles]

we bought a cheap pool and set it up in the garden. our doodles just jump in the pool whenever they have it hot. Or we go for a walk and visit some swim water, when made wet they stay cool for the rest of the day

for the summer we just give them a very small haircut, max. one finger thick. their coat also protects the skin against the sun. Shaving dogs short in the summer is dog cruelty.

[Ellen, Brûlée, and Tira]

You love your dog...You'll watch out for her comfort.   You'll, also, balance that with the practicality of a long vs short cut and how it impacts you.  You're a smart lady (Picked a precious Doodle, didn't you? :))  Don't worry too much about others.  Just decide what works for you and Ginger...You'll be right, every time!

[Lydia & Lacey Doodle]

I was very nervous to get Lacey's hair cut for the summer but it was a great choice!  It's getting really hot hair and it helps her a alot.  Good luck in your choice!!

[John Doerich]

We like our dog's shaggy look, but although we brush him every day once the hair gets too long it is hard to stop mats from forming.  Most of the year, except during the winter, he gets a poodle puppy cut.  It makes it a lot easier to keep him clean and most people think he is a poodle anyway.

[Sarah, Bruno & Dudley]

Just today I dropped Bruno off for his regular grooming appointment, and told them to go ahead and give him his summer cut. I love the way he looks with his shaggy, long hair, but I can't keep him out of our pool, and that means more maintenance for me. With it long, and his swimming schedule, I have to fully brush him every night, and it's become a bit time consuming. So for the summer, I'm giving us both a break. If it wasn't for this he would still have his long locks. Either way he is soooo cute, and it will always grow back. Oh, and one thing I wasn't aware of... right before Doodles turn one their coats change completely. Bruno had to be shaved down all the way because of how bad the mats got. I was brushing him all the time, but the new hair was just something I wasn't use to. Maybe if you do cut it right before she turns one, you'll save yourself. It doesn't have to be as drastic as us, but I know it will help with the coat change.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Your judgement.  I will say that Peri seems MISERABLE with her long coat once it hits 85+ degrees.  She is getting shaved this weekend...yes I said shaved!  I can't take it anymore and she is miserable!  She is so utterly blissful when she is short and it is hot out!!! :) :)

[Debbie and Thomas]

Not sure if anyone mentioned this but doodle puppies hair grows in much nicer after it has been trimmed....I am sure you will eventually have to cut Gingers hair and I know this is stressful to do....but it grows very quickly and from our personal experience it grew in nicer...thicker!  Also...I know that dogs sweat differently than humans BUT our doodle is much more comfortable in the summer with short hair.  This is something that all doodle owners have to face....eventually you just have to do it and I bet she will still be as cute as a button!