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!!!

[Haley, Yeti, and Phin]

I was also very worried but we ended up LOVING the new do!

[Ginny Nightingale]

Here's the thing---her puppy coat is easy to care for for  just  a short time longer---then it will mat like crazy as it is replaced by an adult coat--many people who feel the way you do suddenly find that they can not keep up with the mats and the pup goes to the groomer for the first time--and the pup  is shaved. This is because it is matted down at the skin and the clipper won't go thru it.. the brush only gets to the first half inch or so and the mats need to be COMBED with a steel comb. Most owners don't even know the mats are there because the hair seems so nice on the surface.

Also, if she has never been to a groomer, you are going to have one freaked out puppy--I always suggest that a pup goes to a groomer at 4 months to be introduced with just a bit of a trim and a big treat! So, you should get her there soon before it is too scary.

[Beth & Cheddar]

These are pictures of Cheddar and his brother Miles at 4 months with our groomer's longest blade (1").

[Beth & Cheddar]

And this is them about a week after and two weeks after

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Daniela ~ if possible, take a before photo and then an after photo.  I hope her first grooming experience goes well.

[Kaitee and Orwell]

Personally, I like keeping my boy's hair short. When he is initially cut, his hair is actually about 3/4 of an inch. I do this because it is a lot easier to take care of (I don't really enjoy brushing) and I actually have come to prefer him this way because I can see his beautiful eyes along with his natural eyeliner, and I like to show off his slim poodle body. I keep the top of his head and tail longer, and have recently gotten into sheering his ears which I've also come to prefer. I realize I'm probably in the minority here. However, I think doodles look cute almost no matter what. Just like with a human close to you, if they change their appearance, it takes some getting used to. 

Also, the great thing about hair is that it always grows back. :)

This is the best full body picture I have of his recent haircut. 

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Love this big boy!  

[Kaitee and Orwell]

I hope you can stay longer at next year's romp so I can get to know Charlie and Beau, and you can get to know Orwell. :)

[Daniela Horth]

Hi All!  well today was haircut day and Lucy was a champ!!  She didn't freak out at all.... and neither did I LOL.  Such an easy going girl.  And we all love the haircut!!  I wanted to thank all of you for responding with encouraging words, advice and gorgeous photos of your pups.  I apologize if I didn't respond to all individually but there was just too many of you.  Know that I read all your notes, heeded your advice and truly enjoyed all of the photographs.  I am attaching to this note two photos of Lucy (one obviously before and the other after)  I hope they come through.  Thanks again!!  

[Jenny and Cooper]

Hi Daniela! Lucy looks great after a much needed haircut! :D Actually it doesn't look short at all! I'm glad to hear it was a good experience for both you and Lucy :) Thanks for sharing the pictures!

[Kaitee and Orwell]

I think they did a great job. Her coat is very distinct so it almost looks the same, just shorter. :)

[DonMarie and Picco]

Good job!  Nice cut, she still looks like herself.  And not freaked out by the experience!