How Old for First Puppy Hair Cut

[Debbie & Gibbs]

Any recommendations for age of first puppy hair cut?  Gibbs needs to have the hair cut between his nose and eyes.  I bought blunt scissors thinking that I could cut that hair and clean that up for him, but he is way too much of a wiggler to even attempt that, I could end up poking his eye out. 

Gibbs is chocolate and really dark chocolate on one back leg and his head and front legs, his fur on his body is chocolate on the tips with milk chocolate growing out and then some darker roots.  Did anyone have their dog do a complete color change out? 

[Fitz & Henry]

It all depends how you want him to look.
I didn't cut Henry until he was almost 6 months.
But I would suggest if you like him to look like a teddy bear - DO NOT let them shave the hair between their eyes on their nose. It makes the snout look much longer & he won't look like a puppy anymore.
I have them trim the hair that is in the middle so it's not in the eyes, and clean up under the eyes.
I too have the scissors & I can trim little nasty hairs that grow towards the eyes now.
But be careful ... Bring pictures of what you want him to look like!!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

If you plan to have him go to a groomer as he gets older than I think it is a good idea to start taking him in now for simple procedures (face and/or sani trim) and to get accustomed to the shop and groomer. That way when it is time for his first full cut he won't be going to a strange new place and  be handled by a stranger.  I agree that you need to be very specific with the groomer about the outcome you desire and taking photos with you is a great idea.

[Joan Bollaert]

Groomers usually end up giving them a poodle cut which I don't like. Also my groomer told me she doesn't use pictures. Obviously!!! Lol. Ni have not brought Cooper back. Millie hasn't been to groomer yet. I'm searching for one.

[Lynda Kamrath]

I don't like the poodle cuts either.  Better to do your own and then you can cut them the way you want.  And remember...it does grow out quickly.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Oh, and I forgot to mention that Tara is a completely different color than she was as a puppy and I believe that is the case with many doodles.

[Joan Bollaert]

Millie is a solid very dark chocolate...like fudge. I can barely make out her eyes she's so dark. Bthats what I wanted and I don't think she'll get lighter since both parents were also dark. They do say that it's not unusual for regular chocolates to lighten up. Is Gibbs a Parti? My Cooper is a milk chocolate and white Parti w freckles on his knees. I did receive the temperment file.

[Debbie & Gibbs]

Hi Joan, Gibbs is kinda funny looking. His head a semi dark chocolate and one hind leg is chocolate like fudge almost a black. He has some very light cafe colored or milk chocolate color coming through on his back and around his hind end. His head is chocolate with a little bit of white on the top of his head that I think will be gone after a hair cut, a little white on his chin and up his nose. White on his chest and a little white on all four paws. I don't think he would be considered a parti, are parti's about 50/50. Gibbs has a light liver colored nose and very light bluish gray eyes that are changing color. So...I don't have a clue what color dog he will be. I think I read something that said they may change colors about 3 times? Mom was a very dark chocolate and dad was a cream.

[Lynda Kamrath]

It is good practice for him and for you to give him an occasional trim.  Hold your hand over his eyes and get him to settle down and then do a little trimming.  When he gets used to you handling him, he will be much more cooperative.  We have always groomed our own dogs and it is very worthwhile.  Our dogs have never been boarded, been groomed by a groomer, or spend a day alone.  I think our dogs tend to get lighter with age, at least mine did.

[Alex/Mindy/Georgia/Coral]

Georgia was jet black when we first got her, now she's a dark brown, even at her roots.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

We began getting Ned groomed at 3 1/2 months.  He didn't come back looking like a poodle, but the groomer shaved between the eyes that first time, simply because she didn't know better.

[Joan Bollaert]

I think he is still considered a Parti.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

P.S. Debbie - its time to update your profile and include Gibbs' name and what he is etc.  I gotta' tell you that Gibbs is the number one name on my next-dog-name list. I never even suggested it to others because I was saving it for myself! tee hee hee.