Stinky Beard!

[Hollie Slattery]

My 5 month old F1b Golden doodle cannot keep her beard dry! She is cream colored and her beard is getting darker and darker. It is constantly wet and now it is starting to stink! She was spayed recently and the vet told me I cannot give her a bath until this coming Monday. Needless to say, she has an appointment with the groomer 9:00 am Monday morning! I have tried to keep it dry by getting her a "slow down" water bowl so she can't stick her whole head in the bowl and by buying Sham Wows and trying to dry her off, nothing seems to help and it is just getting worse. So my question is should I have the groomer cut some of her beard off? I really like the way she looks the few minutes a day when her beard is dry! I really don't want to have her beard cut, but I just don't know what else to do. Any suggestions???

[Karen]

What a cutie! I have a cream MG Australian labradoodle with the same issure, and on top of it I feed raw meaty bone diet, so if you don't get those bits of chicken out pronto -- well, need I say more? Anyway, he's a good, patient guy so fortunately he lets me wash his beard with a smidgen of shampoo and a a good rinse when it needs it. I must confess, though, that keeping the beard trimmed and combed is the best solution.

Karen

[Linda,Yankee & Finn]

I keep a small towel beside Yankee's waterbowl and try to dry it after every drink which isn't easy. I do this because he likes to put his chin on our laps. I'm tired of wet spots on my clothes. You could get it trimmed a little and see if that works.

[Nancy Cavanaugh]

Well I agree with both Karen and Linda - wipe with an absorbent towel right after she drinks, use a diluted shampoo rinse (I like to use a 'brightener '- you can with a cream colored - it helps take away the rusty look). Comb it often - and you can get it trimmed - so it still has a natural look, just a bit shorter so it doesn't hold so much water. It won't collect as much water and it also is easier to shampoo. You can trim it between groomings as well. Good luck and give her a kiss for me.

[03pilqobzlvp7]

I know beards are a doodle thing, but I think Duff looks great with a much shorter cut on his face. Granted, he's black, so they look a lot different and I don't do it to keep him clean, because I can't see when his face is dirty. I just think it's cuter and he isn't chewing on his facial hair (gross). I trim him myself. Unfortunately, I haven't uploaded any recent pics, but I will. I also trim his mustache area and that is the hair that gets the grossest on him, so it's a big help.

[Hollie Slattery]

Thanks to all of you who offered advice! I did take Darbey to the groomer and had some of her beard trimmed, which seems to help a little. I'm keeping a towel next to her bowl and trying to dry her off after she drinks, but I'm not always around when she is drinking! Also, the groomer said if I used a brightening shampoo it would help over time. I'm attaching a photo of Darbey after we got home from the groomer. If you compare it to the one I attached to the original discussion, I think you'll agree she looks much better! Thanks again and I hope you all have a very doodley summer!

[Hollie Slattery]

Yes, it's like I took in my scruffy little tom-boy and got back this grown up looking princess! I really liked Loretta, no, what is her name? Anyway, I really liked her and I think Darbey liked her too. You'll have to post pictures when Lucy and Sophie are done!