Grooming - do you HAVE to get their hair cut?

[Sandy]

Toby's hair doesn't seem to be getting excessively long, and I brush it probably three times a week, so I'm just wondering whether it's a must to take the dog to the groomer's. We bathe him in the tub :) and clip his nails outselves. Is it unavoidable, or can we just keep brushing him and make sure he gets no mats? Currently we use a slicker brush, because I'm in Canada, and the Les Pooch brushes are even MORE money to get shipped here. :)

[Terri]

I don't see the problem in letting a doodle have longer hair...but I'd be real careful to look for those hidden mats that are way down next to the skin--before you bathe him. A slicker brush doesn't get far enough down. I'd invest in a good steel comb and make sure you comb out every section down to the skin. Underarms, haunches, and neck are the place Cooper's mats get started early. We only have our doodle trimmed every 6-8 weeks to kind of "clean up" his look. I'll probably have him cut short this summer, but I really like his long doodle look. I'm in no way a groomer...just another doodle owner who likes the long messy look!

Terri

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Have uou joined the Doodle Grooming Group? On the main page of the group a list is there of what you must do to avoid mats and how to get them out if he gets one. It is a fantastic group with tons of info.
Samantha's coat is more like a long haired lab than a 'typical' curly doodle coat. she just requires a quick brush once a week. I brush her , Pedicure her toes and trim her myself. I am going to invest in a grommer's table to make it easier on my back and knees. I don't beieve a trip to the groomer is necessary if you keep up with his coat yourself diligently. YOU can be his groomer.

[Stella]

We like the natural look too, and have never cut Hartleys hiar, except for around his paws and genitals! I recently got brave enough to do his nails myself, but still find it stressfull!! The new puppy though, I think is going to end up a lot more fleecy and we are worried he might need some professional help at some point, but I would have no idea where to go in Cambridge. Hopefully, with regular brushing we can keep him mat free and naturally scruffy!!

[Sandy]

I like Toby scruffy too. We haven't trimmed the fur on his paws or anything yet, just bathed him, and cut his nails. And of course brush him. We used to take our dog Midge (now deceased), who was a lhasa apso/terrier cross to Continental Pet Boutique (I think that's the name) - which is in downtown Cambridge. They always did a good job, and Midge never came home unhappy. My parents had a retriever/collie cross, and they never had it groomed or clipped in any way. I guess I'd just like to keep Toby the way he is, if I could. Sounds like I need a different brush.

[Stella]

If you get a different brush, let me know how it goes. Hartley is fine with a slicker, but I don't think that will work on Chase once his hair gets longer. He for sure is going to have a much curlier (maybe fleece) coat that will take more maintenance than Hartley needs. Thanks for the name of that groomers, they are downtown Galt right? I think I know where that is, good to know if we do decide we eventually need professional help.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Good Morning Samatha Twin!!
Have you tried the Pedicure? Samantha doesn't love it but she does sit still for me to finish and I am not stressed by doing it - you can't cut the quick! If you decide to get it, let me know and I will send you how I introduced it to her so she is not running when she sees it coming towards her.

[Stella]

Thanks Adrianne, actually he is so good about having his nails cut. He just lies there and lets me do it - the pieces of cheese I give him might be helping!! It is me that gets nervous incase I cut too short and and make him bleed - which is what happened the first time I tried! The last couple of attempts have been much better and I bought clippers with a guide on them which is supposed to stop you going too short. I always have the Quick Stop stuff handy just incase! For some strange reason he only ever needs the front nails doing, he seems to wear the back ones down all on his own.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

And Samantha is the opposite - like mirrored twins - her back feet always make that clippety clop sound on the tile - I guess I don't get them short enough.
Had the best time yesterday - went with DH to have his hair cut and she used an Andis shaver. I watched what she did and was so surprised it is that easy. DH and Samantha need the same type of trimming - both have slightly wavy hair that needs just to get shortened, not cut or shaved.
Not saying that I won't butcher Samantha until I get the hang of it but it is not intimadating at all anymore for me.

[Denise, Winnie, and AngelAbby]

Have you priced out the Chris Christensen brushes? I just ordered one after reading reviews in DK - it is cheaper than Les Pooch, and I have been using it on Abby and love it. She is 6 months old, and has never had a clipping. Her coat has to be close to 4" long.The brush gets down nice and deep - I have the 16mm t-brush (it's a pin brush) and Abby actually likes it. I do have a slicker also - and Abby hated it - but the CC brush does a much nicer job, and gets out a lot more hair then my slicker. I then go through her coat with a metal comb and there is very little in the comb. I like the long and shaggy look, too and have just trimmed up her face and back side. (my hubby doesn't like the shaggy look though and I may not after summer is here and she goes in the woods with Daddy and comes out with stickers and burrs all over!! LOL) So we will play that one by ear - I may prefer shorter for summer, too.

[Sandy]

Thanks for the info - I'm going to look up those brushes right now. :)

[Sandy]

I actually bought a "rake" yesterday - it took out 7 rakes full of undercoat!! Holy Cow. It must have been puppy fur or something. Toby actually looks thinner. :) It was only about $10, and well worth the money. I'm glad I caught it before all that stuff got tangled and he had to get shaved.