Summer Cuts for my Doodle

[Lori Dowell]

I am hearing different advice regarding this topic. I am trying what determine to do with Chewy's beautiful coat for the season. We spend a lot of time at the lake & I want him to be comfortable heat-wise & enjoy swimming. Last season wasn't an issue b/c he had that fine puppy hair. Some are saying the coat protects them from the heat, others say that isn't quite the case. I hate to cut his coat b/c I love how he looks. Any suggestions appreciated:)

Lori

[Beth & Roux]

I had Roux shaved down quite a bit. It definitely took some getting used to since I loved her shaggy coat so much! But I can tell she's happier and it's MUCH better for all the swimming/hiking/fun you'll have in the summer. I can let her have fun without worrying about mats or prickers. I plan to just let it grow till it's shaggy again for the winter and then go back to our face, bottom, feet trims. 

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Yes, there is some disagreement about whether or not longer coats help keep dogs cooler in the summer. I cut Tara's coat shorter for the summer for 2 reasons. One is because she does not have an undercoat to help insulate her and she does seem to be hotter with a long coat. The other reason is due to the amount of grooming required to keep her coat clean and mat free after summer activities.

Is Chewy swimming in a pool at your house? If so it may be simpler to keep him short and avoid a wet, dripping dog running in and out. Also some doodles who have really thick coats take a LONG time to completely dry and can end up with skin issues from being damp all the time. Just some thoughts...

[Jen, Lachlan, and Declan]

Mine go naked pretty much year 'round. Lachlan has a gorgeous coat but it's so dense it's hard to get him dry to the skin, and they're very much boys - Mud puddle! Woo-hoo! Besides, they're house dogs and don't spend a lot of time outside in the weather, and as much as they both enjoy being groomed I have a feeling they'd still rather be running through puddles and rolling in the shrubbery.

[Trudy Harlow]

I shave Paddy down in the late spring every year.  He's happier, I'm happier. He still has plenty of coat to protect from the heat and sunburn, but not so much that if he plays in the water, he takes forever to dry.  I leave his doodle clip on his head and tail. You can check my page for pictures.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I think you could try his coat as it is now and if you find that it is just too much trouble with your summer activities, you could cut is shorter.  How much shorter is up to what you think works with your lifestyle.  I live in southern California where it gets over 100 degrees.  I keep my dogs about the same length in all seasons and they are fine.  We are not an active swimming, beach sand all the time family so that might make a difference.  When we go to the beach we hose the dogs off and let them air dry.  Most of the dirt and sand left after the hosing falls off when they dry.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

I trim FInn down in the spring, leaving his face and tail a little fuzzier.  It can take him the better part of an afternoon to dry with a longer coat. And this way I can find ticks and burrs etc.  He seems cooler and happier too because he doesn't have a double coat. You can see pictures on our page.

[Patti]

I have Willow's body cut down to 1/2 " Leaving her ears, tail, and longer on the shape of her head.  She loves it and looks so cute.  She acts like she can finally breath after we take it off.  It will always grow back if you don't like the cut, so I wouldn't worry to much.

[Lori, Rooney & Zuzu]

I do find the matting gets to be a much bigger problem when Rooney is doing a lot of swimming so I'm planning to keep him shorter for the summer. He also takes FOREVER to dry with his long coat so I think we will all enjoy an easier maintenance summer coat. I have gotten to where I enjoy both his short "look" and his long look though. It's kind of fun to have a dog that can change so dramatically! :)