Suggested Length for First time Groom

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

Bexter is 10 months old now, and has never been to the groomer yet.  I have been trimming his face, doing his nails & ears, and also his potty area.  However, it is sooo time.  I have put it off because I'm so nervous!  I found a groomer I think will be good who I heard through word of mouth.  This groomer is familiar with doodles.  Before I go on Monday, I was wondering if any of you have a suggestion as to the length.  He is probably like 6 inches long now.  I want him to be NOT SHAVED, and to basically look more like he did when he was younger.  I am thinking 2 inches.  Does this sound like a good length?  What length do you all get your dogs clipped/cut to?  Any pictures would be great too!  Thanks!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Look here on dk for dogs that have a similar coat to your pup with a hair cut you like.  Print them up and take them as examples.  Coat length is purely up to the owner, but if they are matting, I would go shorter for a while.    I have Ned and Clancy scissor-cut - this is my preference, plus they are often longer than a razor cut could be.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

It might help to look in the FROM PUP TO ADULT GROUP so that you can see what the puppy coat looked like and then what it started looking like once it started getting groomed.  On some dogs there isn't much change, others, the is a dramatic change. 

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

You guys are awesome!

Nancie - I am going to take notes from what you wrote so I know exactly what to tell the groomer to do & not do. 

Nancy - I went to see pictures of your Ned with Ruby...Is that a friend or littermate?  Anyway, they were adorable together.  Bexter's coat is similar to theirs, only maybe not quite as curly, but it's close.  He has a fleece coat (I think), not too curly like a poodle, & not that straight.  I think his roots are a little curlier though than the shag that is all over right now.  His roots look like a spiral curl, like a dread really.  His coat is really soft though.  I am going to work a lot on him today & see what I can do with the mats.  I brush him a lot, but I really did not use a comb until the last couple of weeks when I first started noticing mats.  So...now I am panicking. I contacted Kemp about a Les Pooch brush, but haven't but the bullet & bought it yet.  Looks like now is the time.   I will try to do what you all suggested.

Jess - I love the pictures of Pippin.  He is so cute & looks so much like Bexter I think.

L & S mom - I will go to that group & check out pictures right now!  Thanks!!!

[Jess and Pippin]

I think they look a lot alike.  The comb trick is a good one.  I didn't realize how badly Pippin was matting until his Christmas groom when our new groomer Christie pointed it out to me.  The fur close to his skin was starting to look "felted" and difficult to pull a comb through which she told me was the beginning of matts.  The les pooches brush has been really helpful, as well as a matt buster.  Look online for the "line brushing" technique.  It really helps to ensure you get the whole dog.  I put Pippin up on an old (sturdy) table and have one of the kids help with rewarding him for good behaviour.  It's worked better than having him on the floor and my back likes it better too!

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

The technique for brushing or combing...actually combing comes first and then the brushing, is to "line" brush.  This is a very tedious way to get to the skin on long coated or matted Doodles.  You take an area and usually starting at the bottom and push all the hair up and keep it up (against the growth) with your hand or even a hair clip.  Then you start very methodically and comb the lower part of the area going right down to the skin.  When that part is mat free then you unclip the next section of hair above where you worked and work on that.  It is sort of like a layering process or if any of you have ever had highlights put in your hair that is the visual you will get and is sort of done the same way.  Just small areas of hair at a time until all the mats are out.  Then you can brush the entire body.  Think about how much it hurts when you have a big snarl or tangle in your hair and you yank the brush or comb through it.  Same thing with our Doodles.It is amazing what is down at the skin level when you start doing this.  Some of the mats you may have to cut out and then be very careful that you pinch between the skin and hair so that you cut in front of your fingers and don't cut the skin of the Doodle.  Mats can become very painful as they draw the skin into them.  It is the feeling of someone constantly pulling your hair or having a too tight pony tail!!!    Because the skin is pulled into the mat that is why you have to be very careful if you need to cut the mat.  Another thing to remember is that their skin is really baby soft and tender.  Combing, brushing and using a mat buster over and over in one sitting can really cause them discomfort after a while.  Take a comb to your arm or leg and drag it with pretty good pressure back and forth for 5 minutes and you will get the feeling and that is without mats being pulled!!!!  It is interesting how we never really are aware of how much our dogs are like us when it comes to grooming and care of their bodies.

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

UPDATE - Well, okay.  I have many notes to share with the breeder.  I will have pictures to show her.  I have spent hours with Bexter combing him.  I thought that Bexter was in really good shape because I brush him so often & use only Chris Christensen products, BUT...when I got the comb & tried to part his hair near the skin, I am very painfully aware that I was not doing anything right!  I was so upset.  But...I have now spent HOURS on Bexter with the comb.  He is in MUCH better shape, although still not quite perfect.  I am still hoping to get under his left elbow because I know he still has mats under there, but he was so done with me and my back was killing me!  Also, I couldn't really get to his butt area because he gets wayyy too squirrely.  We will see tomorrow.  Wish us luck!  I keep telling myself, he is cute no matter WHAT...He is cute no matter what...

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Don't forget before and after pictures.  Good Luck!!

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

Nancie - Thanks for the visual of the hair getting highlighted.  I knew exactly what you meant!

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Glad it made sense.  That is what they call "line brushing or combing".  Very tedious though :(

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

I am anxiously waiting to see what Bexter looks like!  I can't stand it.  He has been there since 9:00, and she said he won't be done until 5:00!  WTD???  Is it normal to take so long?  Should I be upset about that or glad she's taking her time???  I guess I"ll find out in another HOUR!

[Dos Doodles--Sam & Luke]

I'm so excited...pictures!  Pictures, pictures!

[Jess and Pippin]

Pippin was gone 7 hours or so the last time he was groomed and that was mostly because he was so badly matted and the groomer I use doesn't stick the dogs in a crate with a blower.  I don't mind leaving Pippin because she also has a small staff that does daycare while she grooms, so Pippin gets a play break, water break/ potty break when he needs it.  I'm thinking that a scissor cut takes longer than clippers (don't know for sure cuz I've never groomed Pip). I'm hoping that his next groom won't take as long because his fur is shorter than last time and I've been brushing/mat busting