I got my first F in grooming-Oops!

[Lori, Rooney & Zuzu]

I've always prided myself on being a very good student but clearly I need to take some remedial Doodle grooming classes. Without really realizing how neglectful I had become, Rooney became quite matted over the past month and by the time I got him to the groomer there was no choice but to cut it all off and start fresh. I have a great groomer and I kept telling her, "Do not apologize to me! This is my fault!"

The funny thing is, I think if this had happened with Rooney's first trip to the groomers I would have been devastated and mortified and sad. Now (with many thanks to Doodle Kisses for opening my eyes to all of the very real Doodle grooming issues) I am taking it in stride and even enjoying seeing the dog that has been hiding under all that fur. He's so skinny! Who knew?

I know I need to a better job this time around with his coat upkeep but I also plan to get him into the groomers sooner and just keep his coat a little shorter than I have been. As much as I love his shaggy look I have to come to grips with the fact that as a busy mom with two part time jobs and three kids, I just don't have time to be brushing Rooney out multiple times every week. So, why not make both of our lives easier and just keep him a little shorter. Up to a certain length he actually has a very easy maintenance coat that doesn't mat all that easily. It's only once he gets really quite long that the matting starts creeping up like crazy.

He needs a nice short summer cut anyway since he LOVES to swim-so I'm just looking at this as an unexpected early jump on summer.

We all still think he's adorable!

[Gwyndolyn Morasko]

I was soooooo hoping that Kona would be the exception to the "once he hits 8 to 12 months old, he'll start matting".  But darn it...he has a few mats now...and EXACTLY on his 8 month anniversary to the day!  I spent a few hours combing him out yesterday after I returned from 10 days in France (my boyfriend took great care of him) and there were about 4 or 5 spots that needed special attention.  I was so used to the comb going through with ease.  I still don't quite understand the "adult coat" and "puppy coat" change over, since the hair all looks and feels the same, so I have more to learn.  I just know there are a few mats now under his coller and in his arm pits. 

 

Rooney looks so soft and huggable there!  I bet it feels like velvet!  I am now asking around for a good groomer that will do a scissor cut and leave at least 2 to 2 1/2 inches of length of his 4 inch long hair, but no luck so far. 

[Lori, Rooney & Zuzu]

Yes, I think it was somewhere around 8-9 months that we first started experiencing real matting. The collar area and armpits are definitely common, also Rooney tends to mat in his belly area as well.

Honestly, I think Rooney really is developing a very nice coat but even the most manageable Doodle coats still require maintenance and care. It's just the nature of these beautiful beasts! :) 

He is super soft and we've been enjoying the easy brushing now (there is almost nothing to brush yet!). And the short coat will be so much better for swimming which he will do a lot of this summer.

I really like my groomer and normally I just have her use the longest guard on the clippers and I've come to like that look and length really well. It grows out again so quickly that it's always kind of nice to have a few weeks of lower maintenance care.