How long can we let our doodles go with matted hair????

[Jill Mooney]

Ok, so here it is almost winter, and my beautiful Abbey is matted!!! it's starting to get serious, and i was wondering if we can make it through the winter without having to shave her!! I really don't want to, but I'm probably sure what you are all going to tell me!!! 

[Kaira]

I use the same comb as Jeanne referred to and it works so will. It slices right through the mat (and your finger too if you aren't careful). If you really want to preserve your Abbey's coat, it might be worth the $10-$12 to try it before she is groomed. Best of luck!

[Susan and Sasha]

Hi Jill..

I know just what you're going through with your beautiful Abbey...

Sasha was in the water all summer...and we were away for two week also.

Well...when we got back...she was so matted from being in the water and not being combed and brushed while we were away!

I tried and tried to get the mats out...but I just couldn't!!

She had to be shaved down...but she still looked beautiful...and so will Abbey.

I wasn't upset...because I knew that this had to be done...and I also knew that her coat would grow...Very fast!

I would suggest that you "bite the bullet"...and take her to the groomer right away...so that her coat can begin to grow in before the coldest weather comes.

She will still be your Beautiful Abbey!

Make sure that you give her Lots of Hugs and Love...and tell her how Beautiful she looks...right from the beginning!!

I really do think they pick up on these things...

Wishing you and Abbbey the best...

Sasha sends Great Big Doodle Hugs to her friend Abbey...

[Bonnie and Kona]

I agree about telling her she is beautiful and petting her a lot after she is shaved. They notice for sure!

[Kaira]

That's really good advice! I was completely unprepared for how my pup would look after he was shaven and I was unhappy and so was he. If we ever have to do that again I will be sure to encourage him as much as I do every day.

[Barb @ Gemstone Labradoodles]

That's easy to answer. No

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

You need to get the mats out!  You work on them, pay a groomer to work on them. Use a mat buster if necessary. They can't just stay there, they will only get worse.

[Lynda Kamrath]

I guess it matters why you are letting her mat.  It has been really hard, but my ALD is quite matted and I am trying to cord him.  He has the perfect thick, curly coat.  I have pulled them down (or up depending on the mat) and his head, ears, and legs look pretty good.  His hair is about 4 inches long now.  The bottom in the problem.  I wonder if I can make it through the matting process to get to the cording.  It is definitely a bigger problem for me than for him.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

BIG difference, Lynda.  You are trying to do something with the coat that involves mats, but you aren't ignoring them and letting them pull on the skin and perhaps let sores form.  You also are experienced in working with coats and grooming so you would easily recognize if something was wrong.  Silly, silly.

[Lynda Kamrath]

I don't know how experienced I am, but I am getting more experience every day.  It's a real endeavor.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

If I thought I could do the cording, I would give it a try with Ned.  I have absolutely NO skill with hair of any kind except I can braid - regular, french, fishtail.  Gee, how might Ned look with little braids all over his body???? hmmmmm

[Lynda Kamrath]

I don't know, but it would be a lot of braids.  I trimmed up Harpo a little yesterday and he has some nice cords on his head and feet, and great crimped hair on his ears and tail.  I trimmed up the back of his legs and his back side a little yesterday.  I will post some photos soon.  Ah yes, and my husband said for the first time yesterday that Harpo was looking good.  He had always been resistive to cording.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I can't wait to see pictures.