03/15/2020
DOES MY DOG NEED SHAVED?
No owner wants to hear that their fluffy pup needs sheared down. Won’t they look like a rat with all their hair gone? Won’t they be cold? Will they feel bad that they are naked?
When people think of doodles they think of big, soft balls of fluff. But keeping those long coats matt free takes a lot of work! The biggest misconception I see when people get a new doodle is that they won’t need to brush them, which isn’t true. You need to brush your doodle!!! Let me explain why.
Because doodles are a mixed breed dog, you need to take into account what two coat types are at play with your pup. The first is a poodle coat. Poodles are known for their natural curls, which are often styled into poms. Their coat doesn’t shed like double coated breeds, but requires a stiff upkeep schedule if you want them to have a long coat. When you mix the poodle coat with say a lab or a golden retriever, you are adding in another factor to the predisposition of the coat.
A dog’s genes tell the coat how to grow. Breeds like bulldogs, labs, cattle dogs, boxers, and other short haired dogs are all programmed to have short coats. Their genes tell the coat to stop growing when it reaches a certain point. On the other end of the spectrum, dogs like yorkies, poodles, and shih tzus have coats programmed to grow long, luxurious locks of hair, which require a lot of brushing to keep the coat gorgeous and matt free.
Since doodles are poodles mixed with other breeds, their coats take on a whole new pattern of growth. Some doodles get the tight curls like a poodle, while others can be floppy, or straight like a retriever. Regardless of which other breed your doodle is mixed with, there will always be poodle genes in them. This also includes doodles which are several generations from their original poodle sire or dame. Poodles require brushing and regular grooming, so because your doodle is part poodle, they will need the same! Breeding double coating dogs like labs with poodles also contributes to the possibility of matting.
Unfortunately, lots of owners aren’t given accurate information when they get a pup. I’ve heard owners tell me their breeder told them not to get the dog groomed till they were one, and as a result, the groom was a shave down to the skin because of severe matting. I hate having to shave down a doodle when their owner wanted them to be fluffy, but if the matting reaches a point where it cannot be brushed out, shaving is always what is best for the dog.
So let’s talk about matts. Matting occurs for several reasons. Coat changes, like the tradition from puppy to adult coat can pose a big risk for matts since the adult coat tends to be more hardy and can tangle with the soft puppy coat. Friction, water, foreign objects, and undercoat shedding can all also cause matts to form. A matt forms when the hair becomes tangled with itself.
When a dog is severely matted, their fur can essentially create a pelt. This prevents natural airflow, doesn’t allow for temperature regulation, and can hide a myriad of skin issues and pests like fleas. Matting can also cut off circulation if it gets too severe, and can keep f***s and other excrements close to the skin, causing irritation.
In short, when your dog is too matted to be brushed out, it is in your dog’s best interests to shave them and start fresh. If you cannot brush out the matts in your dog’s fur, schedule an appointment with your groomer to see what is the best option. Groomers do have tools that can help get stubborn matts out, but we can’t work miracles unfortunately. In the end we always want to do what is best for your dog, which might be shaving.
Groomers sometimes get a bad rap for “being lazy” and shaving down doodles, however this is not the case. We hate seeing clients disappointed that their dog needs shaved, but when we say that shaving is best for your dog, we sincerely mean it. A good groomer should always put the health and well being of your dog first and should take the time to hear your concerns and help to find a solution that is best for your pup. 😊
