Facial Hair?

[Joyce (Casey & Cody's mom)]

I am having a tough time trying to decide what to do about Casey's facial hair and beard. He is blond, a "typical" golden doodle that ALWAYS has a wet, dirty face.  I really hated to cut off his beard, but finally did that several months ago. That helped some, but he still has a wet, dirty face.  Also, the hair grows upward around his nose and eyes and within 2-3 weeks after a haircut, his eyes are totally covered.  I have considered just having his body cut with a #4 blade, but getting her to just go ahead and shave his face. I know that will make him look more like a poodle, but just unsure what to do. Has anyone done this?

[Joyce (Casey & Cody's mom)]

Here is Casey's new "do." Before and after

[BG and Gavin]

Looking cute and happy!

[Joyce (Casey & Cody's mom)]

Can't seem to manage getting his before picture to load and his after is "fuzzy." But anyway, he is strutting around like he loves it. Cody ended up having to spend the day at the vet's office, so his new "do" had to be delayed. Perhaps sometime next week. He developed a terrible hot-spot on his side that needed to be taken care of. First time he ever had a hot spot and I wasn't positive that was all that it was. He sure gave Casey a good "exam" when he got home. He seems to approve.

[Jen, Lachlan, and Declan]

He looks great! And very happy!

[Jen, Lachlan, and Declan]

Poor Cody - that's no fun. Hope his hot spot clears up fast!

[Joyce (Casey & Cody's mom)]

I decided to try one more time to get the photos posted.  Still can't figure out why they are so fuzzy looking. On my computer, they are sharp and crisp!  I am so NOT the photographer.

[Joan Bollaert]

I'm wondering why he needed a haircut to begin with as he was already in a nice short doodle cut?    More importantly, his sweetness comes through no matter what his hairdo!  :)

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

I kind of am in between the 2 camps of shaved vs long muzzle. I love the cleanliness of shaved, (and if you ever go to Poodle boards, that's one of the reasons for a shaved muzzle), but I do think it screams, 'Poodle' and not, 'doodle'. I keep my doodles pretty short year round, due mostly to the fact that they mat so terribly after a certain length, and keep their beards on the shorter side, but never shaved. I have found using deodorizing shampoo on the muzzle helps (singular, as its Oscar with the dirty muzzle problem), and I leave it on for a good 5 minutes before rinsing. When I run out of that I'm going to try mixing baking soda with his regular shampoo and seeing how that works. Oscar will always have a messy-prone muzzle, regardless of what I do, but I do think there are ways to live with the look I like.