Haircuts

[KAHLUA]

Hi Everyone!

 

We just joined Doodle Kisses and can't believe I haven't done this before now.  Tate and I live in Louisville, Ky with our 3 year old Goldendoodle Kahlua (female) and our 2 year old Shitpoo Paxton (male).   I had been procrastinating about getting a dog and had been in contact with a breeder for about 6 months when Dee called and said that a woman who had got a puppy decided she didn't want the "hassle" of a dog and asked if Dee could find another home for the puppy.  I agreed to meet Dee on here way back home from picking up the dog in a Feeder's Supply parking lot at 10pm.   The puppy jumped out of the backseat right into my daughter's arms, we knew then that she had found a home.  My daughter still teases that it was a "shady" deal meeting up in a dark parking lot, exchanging a "dog" for "cash".  LOL!  By the way the previous owner called her Bailey, I made the comment, I like Kahlua better than Bailey's Irish Cream, hence the name stuck.

 

As you can tell by the picture she has all her hair.   People tell me to "shave" her, which I really don't want to do.  We live in KY and it's pretty hot and humid here.  She is definitely an air conditioned dog, but I feel that all that hair during the summer may be bad for her when she is out.  Any suggestions?  Should I shave her?  Should I just cut her very short?  Not sure, any suggestions would be welcomed.

 

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Hi Celeste,

 

You will find lots of information about whether to cut or not in the Summer in the Grooming Group.

 

Most people with long-haired doodles give their pups a Summer cut because of the heat.  You can see plenty of pics of how people have had their doodles cut in that group to give you some ideas of what you might like.  Ultimately it's up to you to shave or not to shave though!

[KAHLUA]

Thanks!  I found step by step instructions for our groomer "The Doodle Do" that show the "cool cut" and the "standard cut", I hope the groomer I have will follow instructions.  If not, then changing groomers!

[Heather & Brinkley]

Welcome to DoodleKisses.  Glad you found what you were looking for!

[Donna K & Quincy]

There are lots of long haired dogs that don't get shaved down for the summer months. The only reason I clip Quincy shorter, to about 1 1/2 inches is because he likes to spend time getting wet and and he takes a very long time to dry. I have to say I have not seen any difference in how he tolerates the heat, he just doesn't, no matter what length his fur is. Welcome to DK, you are sure to find lots of advice and varying opinions.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Welcome to dk.  This is a very fun place - read about Laurie, Fudge and Vern's recent contest....  You do not need to shave your dog and most (not all)  people do not actually have them shaved unless they are so matted that there is no other option. Some people to keep their dogs very short, but lots of us battle with the fluff year round - some shorter and some longer.  Some keep the doodlish face/head and some shave the face like a poodle.  It really depends upon the kind of coat your dog has, what you think would be best and what you like, and what you can find a groomer to do. You do need to be aware that if they are really short, you need to worry about sunburn and that dogs with long coats usually are not any hotter than dogs without.  We live in Southern California where it is hot and sometimes humid, but nothing at all like your weather. We just cut Ned and Clancy down to the shortest they have ever been because we are dealing with an ill parent and just do not have grooming time. They are really pretty short but we kept the shaggy look depending upon what coat type they have.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

I just went through this a couple weeks ago. Myla's hair was very BIG bushy and she looked like a fatty from behind. She is a mini goldendoodle with really thick hair. She was always matting and panting like crazy we decided to see what they can do with her so we are doing a start over with her she's about 1" right now with a little more on her head. It's a personal choice just be sure to tell them EXACTLY what you want (we didn't let her touch the face) join the grooming group for more great ideas-good luck!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

When you usually have her groomed, how short do you like it? I like the longer look on my two, but it just looks like it would be hotter in the summer, so I cut them down to 3/4-1 inch. That is still plenty of hair, I leave the head and legs a little longer for the doodle look though.  We are just putting in a pool and they will be wet probably at least once or twice a day through summer, so they are both going to get very short cuts next week. I will take them down to about 1/2 in. and leave enough on for some protection from the sun.  Not quite shaved, but close. I only will do that for drying purposes   They may or may not be cooler and some reading I've done says it doesn't matter so it comes down to what you like. It always grows back, quicker than I'd like sometimes. Good luck and post before and after pictures. Speaking of that, I have to go take some before pictures myself!

[Elizabeth & *Kosci*.]

Welcome to DK. It's well worth reading all the previous posts, Especially before grooming or what to ask for from a groomer.
Even take a photo of a doodle you like the look of cut short, with you to the groomers.

[Camilla and Darwin]

I would say that it's totally your call on whether or not you want to shave her. Does she tangle if she's not brushed? Long hair can often require daily brushing, so if you aren't up to that task I'd definitely have her cut shorter. As far as her hair protecting her from the sun, we had a rule when I worked in a grooming shop that we couldn't cut below 1/2", because the dog would get sunburned. I think it was more like 1" for dogs with fine, light hair that you could see the skin through. So anything above that would probably be fine.

[KAHLUA]

Hi Camilla.  Kahlua looks alot like Dawin, except her hair is little straighter than his.  I noticed that you use the andis trimmers.  I looked at the Andis website and there are a couple of models.  Which do you use?  During the cold months, I groom Kahlua, but during the summer, I can't seem to get enough of the bulk out of her coat.  So I have to resort to a groomer who never does her the way I want her done.  Any pointers?

 

 

[Camilla and Darwin]

I use the really cheap 50 dollar Andis clippers from Walmart. To be honest, they lasted a few times but now they are kind of pooping out. If I were to do it again, I'd get better ones. The best success I've had with a groomer, I was VERY specific, and even then I didn't like it that much. I told her exactly what length to cut him, exactly where. Basically though, I've settled on just doing it myself. My system is to shave him down to about 1" every time he gets too long. This ends up being 2 or 3 times a year.

 

Basically, I don't really know what I'm doing and just wing it. LOL. Have you joined the grooming group? There are so many good discussions on grooming your dog...

 

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/doodlegrooming

[Adina P]

I use the Andis ACG 2-speed pro.  Got that with some plastic comb attachments as Rosco's hair is not too thick and he sheds but he still grows to 3-4 inches overall.