[CurlyDog]

This weekend there is a show nearby and I plan to take Max so the breeder can see him. She misses him and wants to see how he's doing. I tried to warn her that he is not all foofed anymore and doesn't look like a show poodle. She asked me to at least shave his face so she can see it but I really don't want to. I personally don't care for the typical poodle cut. No offense to those that do but to each his own, right? I just know she is going to be so disappointed and critical.

I know, I shouldn't worry about it...

 

[rmillstein]

I think if the breeder sees how happy and healthy Max is, then that will be enough! We took Marley to re-meet his breeder about a month ago and she seemed quite happy to see him. She only mentioned his cut when I brought it up first, because we were not happy with the cut he had gotten either.

I am not a fan of the typical poodle cut either. The only reason we get Marley's face cut so close (but not shaved) is that we don't want to impede his ability to track the ball through the air when we throw it. I throw too high, but he manages to see it anyway!

 

[CurlyDog]

Here's a pic of how short his face was shaved when we got him. I trimmed him right away so he could see better, then we let the face part grow out. People think he's a doodle now. They're always surprised that he's a poodle.

 

[CurlyDog]

How do I make the picture bigger?

 

[rmillstein]

If you just click on the thumbnail, then you will see the larger version.

Wow, his face was really shaved close. Yeah, we don't do that, we have it clipped close but not shaved (you can see in the pics I posted to the pics forum earlier today).

I find that a lot of people are confused about what poodles look like. If they don't have the little balls on the legs and whatnot (sorry, I don't know the technical terms), they are surprised that something that just looks like a dog is actually a poodle. But people who really know their poodles know what they are.

 

[rmillstein]

P.S. I really like that collar, btw. I bought a collar for Marley with paw prints on it, but the paw prints wore off. Where did you get it?

 

[Kela]

If I could only have 5 minutes a month to groom my dog...I'd shave his face! I looove the shaved face, hehe. (My poodle is in a continental though, hehe, I love the show cuts)

I do like doing "pig tails" instead of a single topknot on his head.

 

[T o d d]

Here's a pic of how short his face was shaved when we got him. I trimmed him right away so he could see better, then we let the face part grow out. People think he's a doodle now. They're always surprised that he's a poodle.

I cut moose's face closer on the weekend He had a bunch of tiny scars from the clippers... I actually did too since I use them, and tested them on myself, we were both itchy after that trim for a couple days... the guy who sharpened them is getting a talk`n to!!

I really like that picture by the way, close shaved face is good looken to me

 

[SECRETO]

He looks great in his puppy pic....what a cutie! I like the shaved look as well but if you decide to have his face shaved just remember it will grow back out in just a few weeks. Soon you'll have your boy's look back and the breeder will be happy too.

Plus your going to a show. AKC usually ask's not to bring dogs on premises that are not entered in the show. People do anyway and I don't see the big deal but atleast he will blend in better.

 

[CurlyDog]

rmillstein: I got the collar at Petco but it seemed to look worn quickly. It was only about $5. If I see a better one somewhere I'll let you know. Regarding the pictures, I've seen some that are posted large and you don't have to click it. I haven't figured out how to do that yet.

Kela: Yeah, I think the pig tails look cuter than the top know. I definitely have to appreciate the work and talent that goes into the fancy trim.

Jenn and Todd: Good point about blending in at the show. They are doing obedience that day too so all the dogs won't be there for conformation. If I can get a pro to do the face that would be ok. I'm not ready to do that part myself!

Thanks everyone!

 

[Sam I Am]

I love the shaved face also, I haven't been able to get Sam groomed because of the way he has been feeling so his face is more grown out than ever and it's driving me crazy. When he drinks it get his beard all wet and he drips water in trails all over the place. He just doesn't seem clean to me till his face, feet, tail, and belly are shaved. What is pigtails? Any pics? I'm always looking for new ways to clip him. He doesn't have much of a topknot right now, since the last groomer was an idiot, but it's getting a little better. I cut him in a modified show cut once when he was a puppy, but we didn't care for that too much, I like the little lamb cut.

 

[Pamela]

oh he is so cute!

 

[Pamela]

I use the same blade on face that i use on the body - 7.5 - just to keep the hair out of their eyes. But I like the doodle look also!

 

[CurlyDog]

Well, the visit actually went worse than I expected. She chewed me up one side and down the other. "He looks awful, look at his face, he looks like a labradoodle, I'm embarrassed, don't tell anyone you got him from me..." This, after I spent hours brushing and bathing him, doing his nails, cleaning his ears... I don't get people sometimes.

I didn't want to admit to her that I thought all the poodles in their show cuts were stunning!

 

[Jako]

That's too bad....

 

[CurlyDog]

Hey Jako,

I just noticed you are in VA. What part? We just moved to Pittsburgh from Richmond.

 

[Jako]

I'm about an hour west of Richmond. We've gone there for shopping and doctor's appointments.

I have cousins in Havertown near Philadelphia.

 

[Sam I Am]

How nasty! She should have been happy he has a loving owner and being a breeder should know how versatile poodles are.

 

[gwtwmum2]

Seriously, I think it is awful that she made you feel bad. If she saw your baby was clean, well fed, and loved - that should be the thing that makes her the most happy.

 

[rmillstein]

Wow, that is out of line. If you're not showing the dog, then why should it matter? Don't all show dogs ultimately become "just pets" anyway? Some people really need to chill out. I think it's crazy to judge a dog by its haircut, but I guess I just don't understand the show world. (Again, my breeder didn't give me any grief about Marley's cut, even though she shows her poodles... I guess I shouldn't have assumed that all breeders would be that "open minded").