Grooming curly coat

[Susan Amato]

My Piper has a curly poodle coat. She has been swimming all summer and now has dreadlocks. She's very cute this way. If I get out the very bad mats around her ears and tail, is it really necessary to comb her out completely?

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Are those dreads drying out completely at any point after being water logged! Just curious.

[Susan Amato]

Yes! Totally. We towel her down and make sure ears and all have enough outdoor dry time before bringing her in. We also use ear dry/cleaner regularly to protect the ears. I brush her, but wonder if a thorough brushing is necessary. Unlike our Goldens, she doesn't get hot spots.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Wow, that is great.  Hotspots were a concern when I saw your post.  I am sure you are aware that somewhere between 8 mos and a year, the mature coat starts to come in and the puppy coat entwines around the new coat and creates major matting.  So many new puppy owners end up having to get their doodles shaved down because of the matting.  The puppy coat needs to be brushed out over a period of 2 to 3 months or more until the mature coat has all come in. You might want to join the Grooming group and see if other have dreads.  There is a winery dog here who has a dread tail and he is so cute!

[Stella]

Joanne and Spud purposely corded his coat. To do it properly takes a long time and a lot of work - think what a Puli looks like in the show ring, that is a correctly corded coat. The mats / dreadlocks have to be constantly split / separated right down to the skin. If you don't do this, the mats pull on the skin making it painful, and likely the kindest thing to do is shave her down. Joanne did write about doing this with Spud but I can't find the old discussion / blog. You could message her, or ask in the grooming group.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

I just saw your photos of your cute doodle and I would say, if you do not brush thoroughly every few days, you will have a problem with matting and as Stella mentioned mats are painful and the kindest thing to do will be to have her shaved down.  That being said, if she has a poodle curly coat, why not keep her short since you obvious have a very fun active life style that includes swimming.  You can keep head, ears and tail long and brush daily or every other day.  Good luck.

[Stella]

Ok, found Joanne's discussion about cording Spud.

http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/cordingim-going-to-mat-my-...

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I have been privately chastised a few times for dreading but others support us.  I only do it in the winter. Actually, I dont do it at all, his coat does it all by itself.  As long as he appears comfortable, they stay on. Usually, in my area, our state has a  muddy season and  the legs are a real issue.  It is also way to HOT from March until October. 

If you need help or support, I'd be glad to offer help.  We love it and dont torture our dog with a brush all winter   :)   

I've gotten much better at it through the years. Last winter's coat was the best.  The head and body do just fine but his legs, with a different coat, seem to become uncomfortable for him late winter so basically, we just take it all off and he is good to go for Spring.  His coat is like a poodle and their cords, but softer.   Good Luck 

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[Susan Amato]

I hear you saying that mats are painful. How can I tell? She seems fine. Hair is about 3 inches.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I dont think they are painful at all and my dog never complains. If you dog starts to chew or scratch, he is uncomfortable.  

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Just make sure you split the cords. It is easier when they are wet or during a dry winter.   I make sure their are no mats and each cord is separate and plenty of air gets to the skin. 

Spud's cords usually get to 5-6 inches long before they start to look nasty and the Summer season is coming anyway. So off  they go 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Sometimes, I have even cut his coat down but left the cords in place. Tiny, short, 1.5 inch cords. Most times, they are really long.  The cords on his legs, cord tiny and really fine, where his body and head cord thick.   The photo above was when the cords were in the early stage.   

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

It think most puppy coats are fairly easy to manage.  I am curious to hear about your progress and what happens when your puppy goes through the coat change.  Keep us posted - interesting discussion.