Why are short haircuts rare for Doodles? I am considering a Doodle and love the idea!

[Erin S]

Hi everyone,

I have been researching dog breeds and reading your forum, and I'm wondering if a Labradoodle/Goldendoodle is the right dog for me. From my research, a standard size Doodle seems like a fantastic dog, and the best match to what I am looking for in health, temperament, and trainability. These factors are my top priorities. 

 

I have never owned a long haired dog before. I love the idea of having a lower shedding dog, and I am okay with trimming his hair regularly and/or taking him to a groomer. However, I have always preferred the look of shorter hair dogs (especially short hair around the face with no beard) and I am interested in keeping my dog's hair as low maintenance as possible. So, if I got a Doodle, I envision keeping the hair on his body on the shorter side, like a summer cut, probably keeping it between ~ 1/4" and 2". I would like to keep the hair on his face very short, as is often done with poodles. (I live in a warm climate, and plan to take my dog hiking, camping, etc, so I think this would also be comfortable for him.) 

 

I realize most of you adore the look of your longer haired Doodles (and some of you might think I'm crazy), but I wanted to get some advice on maintaining my dog with a nontraditional cut. Is there a practical reason people don't typically clip their Doodles this way? Or is it simply aesthetic preference that the hair is typically kept long, especially around the face? I would appreciate any advice, I want my dog to be happy. :) Thanks so much!

 

Here is an example photo of the type of cut I'm talking about (I really like this look!):

[F, Calla & Luca]

There is little reason that doodle hair is usually kept longer aside from aesthetics. But if you go very short you dog may get sunburn in the summer and be cold in winter. Other than those cautions it should be fine.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

If you like that look, why not get a purebred Standard Poodle? Then you have the added bonus of a dog who is absolutely guaranteed not to shed ever, something you do not get with any doodle puppy of any kind. 
I think most doodle owners love the shaggy look of their dogs and chose them for that reason. hence, the reason for not shaving all their fur down. 

I've had both, and didn't shave the faces on either, lol. 

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

The beauty of doodles is you can have two totally different looks in the same dog. I keep mine short, not quite as short as the picture around the face, in the summertime for swimming and being outdoors at our cabin in the woods. Easier to dry and easier to see ticks or burrs.  No ticks yet tho!!! 

In the winter I used to keep them longer, 2-3 inches and they look like teddy bears but it is more work with brushing and matts and keeping them clean. Now that we will be going to the cabin in the winter months, we will just keep them shorter for the snow balls that get all over them when they are outside. 

 I don't worry much about the cold or heat as they are not outside for very long in any weather. So it really is your preference and for whatever reasons you decide. I am sure your doodle will not care one way or the other as long as he has a loving home, whether he has long or short hair. You are absolutely right about doodles, they are fantastic dogs!!!!

PS the beard hair is much better shorter as my two are very messy drinkers. !

[Jennifer Tramell]

I usually trim my dogs short and then let them grow out - usually every 3 months.  I do trim their faces regularly because I like seeing their eyes and I dislike slobbery beards :-)   

Here is my Tessa with her short hair cut.  I did this in January and now she probably ready for a summer clip.  I keep my short because I don't take the time needed for a mat free long hair, and they bring in much less dirt/leaves/sticks/etc in shorter hair. 

My sister keeps one of her goldendoodles with a pretty short body but longer hair on his face for personality.  My mom trims her doodles in a "hunter" cut with the body and face short and feathers on the belly and legs.  There are MANY different ways to do a doodles hair.   

It's all personal opinion.  You have to find a look which fits your lifestyle and doodle's personality.

[Erin S]

Tessa is a cutie! thanks!

[Rebecca, Kandy & Murphy]

I keep both of mine pretty short, especially in the summer.  But we live in San Diego, so it never gets cold, so even in winter they are shorter than most I see here.  I do like the mustache/beard look though, so they do have those.  One of mine is more lab than poodle looking so her longer hair is at most wavy and looks sort of strange.  The other is more poodle.  I just don't have time to brush them every day and the shorter cuts are easier to maintain.  Plus mine go to the beach and swimming and they are much easier to rinse after those adventures.  Mine get clipped every 2-3 months at the groomers.  It is great that they can sport whatever look you choose.

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

Some breeders end up with doodles without the beard and facial furnishings that typically attract people to doodles in the first place. They look more like labrador or golden retrievers. Sometimes, these "open-faced" doodles are available at a reduced cost, because to many people that flatter look is less desirable. If you do some searching, you just might find the perfect doodle for you and save some money, too.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

But the open-faced dogs almost universally shed tons.  Erin is looking for a lower shedding dog.

Erin, you might want to check out Schnauzers and their cuts.  They don't shed and have nice bodies that short cuts look great on.  Poodles are a great idea also - I love that puppy cut.

[Stella]

I'm with Karen, why wouldn't you just get a standard poodle? I keep my curly doodle shorter, about one inch long, to keep coat care easier. But for me, the whole attraction of the doodle is the shaggy bearded face. I would never cut my boys beards off.

[Rebecca, Kandy & Murphy]

Not the OP, but to me it seems like the doodle is, in general, sturdier than the poodle.  They just seem like they are less delicate on average -- I always feel like a poodle's legs could break any minute and all of the doodles I've seen appear to have sturdier bones/builds.  Probably just an allusion due to grooming and such, but they just seem less "breakable" somehow.

[Adina P]

Yeah I think that is just an illusion.  Skinnier bodies don't equate with more delicate or breakable unless that body is sick.  Many doodles DO get the poodle build but it's hidden by the fur ;-)

[Erin S]

Thanks so much for the input everyone!

Regarding the poodle question- I'm not opposed to a poodle, but a doodle seems like a slightly better choice to me for a few reasons.  First (and most importantly), I have read that doodles tend to be healthier than the parent breeds on average. Also, reading about the personality/temperament of the parent breeds, a doodle sounds like the best match for me. I have also read that a shorter-trimmed doodle can be lower maintenance to groom than a poodle. I don't mind dogs that shed, but if my dog sheds less than average, I would consider it a perk.

Particular aesthetics and breed standard appearances have never been an important consideration for me. Is trimming a doodle face any more difficult than trimming a poodle face? If not, then I don't really see the difference for me getting one over the other for that reason. Again, I realize I'm in the minority here on my aesthetic tastes, and I'm okay with that. However, my dog's well being comes first, and I wouldn't want to do anything to compromise that.

Thanks again everyone, I like hearing the different opinions. :)