Lucy's first hair cut... HELP! :(

[Daniela Horth]

So here I am again... twice in two days.  This time I am stressing about a hair cut for Lucy.  She is 7 months old and has never had more than an eye/potty area and paw trim.  As you can see, she is quite the fluff ball.... and this pic is a month old now.  I brush her diligently, but her hair is getting harder to get through I will admit.  And with snow around the corner I am worried about it just clumping in her fur.  So after speaking to a groomer, I was told that 1 inch is the longest they could leave her fur.  I am having a hard time even picturing that.  Does anyone have a pic of their doodle with a 1 inch puppy cut that they could send me?  I would LOVE to see what we are in for.  I know it's just hair and it will grow back.... but we kind of love Lucy's longer coat.  Thank you!!!

[Nga and Cinni]

Hi Daniela,

Cinni is now 1 year old and got her first haircut at 7 months. She does not like us to comb her so she had alot of mats. The groomer trimmed her very short, probably 1 inch. I didn't like it at first but it grew on me. Her hair has grown since then and she's probably going to get another trim very soon. I don't know how to send a picture here but I can to your email.

Nga

[DonMarie and Picco]

I don't have any photos but she will look adorable!  You will probably be shocked at the difference and not like it. Almost all of us go through that with their first cut!  And, it will grow back fast.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I don't have a photo of her after her first cut because I was horrified and in shock. I didn't even know her when I picked her up at the groomer's!  So I agree with DonMarie that you will be shocked. But now we cut her down to 1/2 inch most of the time because it requires so much less grooming. She is not one that enjoys being brushed or combed so we make it easier for both of us. You will be experiencing the puppy coat change out to adult coat in a couple of months and I really recommend keeping it short during that time as it can be almost impossible to keep a doodle coat mat free during that time. Getting a cut now would prepare you for that time too. 

Make sure your groomer is familiar with doodle cuts and knows to leave her head, face and tail longer. Maybe you can find a picture of a doodle here on DK with a shorter coat that you can show your groomer so she knows what you want.

Try not to stress too much. The first one is the hardest-it does get easier!  

[Daniela Horth]

Thanks so much for the great advice! I hadn't thought much about the whole adult coat and that it would be growing in soon. I'm sure we will get used to it and lighter on the brushing will be a bonus. I will post a before and after next week when the deed is done. Thanks again!!

[Nga and Cinni]

Here is cinni at 7 months.

Nga

[Daniela Horth]

She's adorable! That doesn't seem too short. Will have to give it a try ☺️

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Personally, I love the shorter body cuts, but I am also a stickler about brushing heads, ears & tails daily because I do not want those areas to ever mat - and now that mine are adults I can get by without doing bodies about ever week or so.  I see your doodle is 7 mos, and she is probably starting to go through the coat change.  When the mature coat come in it is very difficult to keep mats at bay.  If I remember right it took about 4-5 months for the mature coat to be completely and that was the first time I asked the groomer to take the body shorter and I found I love it.  But I do let them grow out each time.  I just took this photo this weekend at my daughter's cabin - Beau is the parti ALD and he was so hairy he could hardly see to catch a ball.  LOL  He was groomed today and looks very much like Charlie the chocolate ALD in the photo,  Charlie was groomed last Thursday.  When Beau wakes up, I will take a photo of him and post it.

[Daniela Horth]

Wow they are super cute! Beau looks a bit like a giant version of Lucy LOL! Very sweet thanks for sharing. I think I'm feeling less stressed about the haircut. I also brush quite regularly as I'm paranoid about mats so hoping that job will get a bit easier with a shorter coat. Thanks again!!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

This is Ned when he was at the matting stage and about an inch. He was probably about 14 months old in this picture.

[Daniela Horth]

Thanks for sharing!! I'm beginning to think that the inch isn't too bad. He's lovey! Did he still mat with a 1 inch coat ?

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Ned did, but it was manageable.  Ned has a seriously high maintenance coat.  I like it fluffy so we brushed often.  Each brushing session was about 30 - 45 minutes. 

[Daniela Horth]

So true! It's just hair LOL! Thank you ☺️