Grooming my pup.

[Meganfoz]

Dougal is now 6 months old and although he gets a full daily brush his hair is becoming to much to manage and with winter fast approaching I've been thinking maybes it's time to have him cut short :(. I have spoke to a few groomers who have recommended not getting him cut as he still has his puppy fur and it could damage his adult coat. I have also spoke to a few who says that is rubbish and they need to be groomed as early as possible or they will end up matted.

Does anyone know which is right ???

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

My opinion is that it doesn't matter when they are groomed.  That it is really up to you.  It won't hurt them to be groomed with their puppy coat and it won't hurt them not to be groomed if you keep up with the brushing/combing.  That being said it can be a big job and if you would like there is no reason not to cut him down.  It isn't all or nothing though.  You can ask them to just cut him down to an inch or whatever length is manageable for you.  I would continue talking with groomers until you find one that you feel comfortable with.  If you go to the From Pup To Adult Group you can look at all the pics as our members puppies have grown up and find one you like to take to a groomer for what you would like.  Best of luck.  Dougal is adorable.  

[F, Calla & Luca]

I agree.

[Emily, Bentley, & Maserati]

Excellent advice!

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Good advice from Sherri - I just wanted to say how cute Dougal is.  Are you an Outlander fan?

[Lynda Kamrath]

So funny, Lori, and I can't see the Outlander connection.  Tell me please.

[Meganfoz]

Thanks for the advice. I've spoke with a groomers who are prepared to cut him and he's been for a few puppy grooms with them so I trust they will do a good job. I have found a photo of how I would like him cut! It will be strange, love my ball of fluff but we both need something more manageable as he's not a fan of brush time.

Sorry what is outlander??

[Lynda Kamrath]

Megan, an Outlander is a series currently on TV based on the novels by Diana Gabaldon.  Fans, like me, are addicted to it and have read all the books (I have read them twice).  I could not get the remote on our TV to work last night and am bummered because I missed one of the programs.

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

I'm guessing maybe your doodle hasn't started the real matting yet. Most of us going through it ( Yogi is now one)
Must brush daily to prevent matts, or at least catch them before they get bad. But then again I never have cut any matts out, only brush out.

[laceysMom]

He is sooooo cute!!! I waited as long as I could to get Lacey cut the first time. I took her to get groomed every 3 months or so but had them keep her long. But one time when her coat was changing, I forgot the age, her grommet said she was too matted and had to be shaved. I was so upset. But it grew back quickly and I dint think it damages her adult coat at all. now I keep her long again:) I do found that if I keep her groomed every 6-8 weeks she stays pretty mat free. P.S. LOVE outlander!!! Hehe

[Meganfoz]

He doesn't tend to matt with the daily brushing. But even if I miss one day he's very tatty and makes the whole experiance for him even worse. His ears matt quite a lot though and his beard as it is constantly wet. I'm not going to get him shaved but just cut down quite short. Where I live gets very muddy in winter aswell so I think it's the best thing to do otherwise he will be a ball of mud after every single walk. He has his appointment on Monday so fingers crossed it all goes well

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Consider grooming him yourself! I mean, think about it...how bad could it be? We've all had the bad haircuts :p
For the first few times, I scissor cut Enzo. Just a little snip, snip...and more as I got braver. Then I went to a razor with a long comb attachment....not hard at all!

[Christy&Riley]

I agree with Ro. I started trimming Riley's eyes, then paw pads then threw caution to the wind and just started scissor cutting her body. We had a few bad grooming experiences so I figured I couldn't do any worse. A few jagged areas now and then but you can't tell with the messy look. Adds to her character. Lol