I want to cry! My doodle has lost face.

[Sandi, Jeff & Mickey]

I took Mickey in for a grooming yesterday and I told her to cut him down a bit so he looked just like he was but shorter. When I got there she said that he was too matted and shaved him down all of the way like we do in the summer, AND she cut his face and head like a poodle. Nothing wrong with poodles. I have owned them in the past, but I just adored his doodle face and now he has a pointed snout and a poofy head. Any suggestions to remedy his head, besides waiting for his hair to grow back?

I just read through the matting suggestions so will take that to the bank. I thought I was being a great doodle owner, but found that I wasn't getting far enough down into his coat.

[Barb @ Gemstone Labradoodles]

This may not be consoling, but it could have been worse, Your doodle could actually been shaved closer. I have had to shave one from my ex guardian home with a no. 10. That is naked. You will have to wait now for the coat to grow. Sorry you had to go thru this. I started this group hoping I could help. Guess I was a bit too late for you. Make sure you have a steel comb and can see the skin when you comb.

[Sandi, Jeff & Mickey]

Yeah, she showed me the comb to buy. I certainly will.

I don't mind so much the main body, but his face is pointy and just not doodly any more. Wish I could do something about his head hair shape.

Thanks! I will read more of group comments and make sure that I bring pictures in when I take him in to get groomed next time.

[Leslie and Halas]

He looks displeased. Actually, it's not so bad. I've seen some with a closer shave. But he definitely looks more poodley. You could buy him a fake Santa wig including the beard. That's the only thing I can think of besides waiting.

[Sandi, Jeff & Mickey]

Thanks!

I don't think Mickey really cares, to be quite honest. He's probably just happy it's over and that he can see better again.

My husband is horrified and kids that his "friends" won't recognize him. I don't think it's THAT bad, but not much we can do but wait it out.

[Debbie & Cotton Clegg]

Cotton came back from a groomer looking almost exactly the same as Mickey. Gratefully it was summer, but Cotton had no matts. Needless to say she won't go back to that groomer ever. It will grow out and before you know it.

[Sandi, Jeff & Mickey]

Thanks, I just hope we don't get any more real cold days/nights and he should be OK.

My next step is to see where my Vegas contingency take their doodles - and are happy with their grooming. If I have to go across town to get a great groom, I will!

[Susan, Zeke. Lily & Jasper]

Hi Sandi, Mickey is still a very handsome guy! My Zeke had a planned shearing because of the coat change matting and eventhough we knew what to expect him to look like, it was still a shock. Yours not being planned is even more shocking. Zeke looks like an anorexic lab ( sooo skinny ) He has already grown in a lot in 2 weeks and I'm hopeful he will be looking like his normal handsome self in a month or so. What I miss most is his big shaggy head. I've included before and after pictures. Honestly it's the same dog!

[Sandi, Jeff & Mickey]

OMG! That's about the change that we went through! I included a photo of Mickey a week beforehand.

It's so nice to know we're not the only ones and that we have somewhere to go to share! Thank you all for the support! It has really been comforting.

[Barb @ Gemstone Labradoodles]

I know what it is like to shave a doodle, but it is still always so shocking. Thanks for posting. My doodles only grow hair at the rate of 1/4 inch a month, so I have to be careful to do good planning about grooming.

[Sandi, Jeff & Mickey]

After looking at the after, I know that my husband would have preferred your after, as he looks just like a skinny lab as opposed to a skinny poodle. Oh well, he got over the trauma of bringing him to the dog park today. Everyone asked if Mickey was enlisting in the service.

[Tam]

Your Zeke before looks identical to my Lambeau and his after looks MUCH better than after our grooming. L looked like a giant, ugly, skinny poodle. And, I just hate poodles. It will grow back but beware, it can matt again! I got the Les Pooches brushes a month or so too late and now we're both paying for it. Thanks for posting; I'll have to see if I can find Lambeau's photos.

[Tam]

My doodle looks just like your before photo and since I've been nursing a pulled muscle and pinched nerve for 8 wks (so painful I can't even tell ya), I have been unable to brush his mats out (even after spending $200 on great intentions and LesPooches brushes etc). So now I sit here with knowing he's going to have to be shaved yet again. :(
My question is how long did it take Zeke's coat to grow back in? And, did it grow back the same as it was?
Thanks