Summer is fast upon us. That means pup cones, swimming, and never-ending fetch. It might have you wondering if your Doodle’s coat is too long for the heat? They might feel better with a fresh new do. You might even be wondering how to give my Doodle dog a summer haircut at home? Let’s take a closer look at if they are needed and a step-by-step tutorial.
Do Doodles Need Short Hair To Keep Cool?
As humans, we think of a Doodle’s hair as a winter coat. But that is not exactly the case. A Doodle doesn’t retain much body heat in their fur, and as long as a breeze can move through their hair, they are cool. The exception to this is if your Doodle has mats.
Mats form close to the skin, and if this happens, it limits airflow. So keeping your Doodles brushed is especially important during the summer to stay cool. But this might be a little difficult for some dogs, even with daily brushing.
Should I Give My Doodle Dog A Haircut In The Summer?
While not every dog will need a cut, a few dogs could benefit from it. Active dogs with long hair are challenging to keep tangle-free. And if they get too matted, it could lead to overheating. Should Doodle dogs be shaved in the summer?
Well, dogs that do any high activity sports, swimming, hiking, hunting, or even agility training would love shorter hair. Shorter hair will keep them moving freely and a nice breeze through their hair. If this sounds like your Doodle, you might want to consider a summer cut.
Gathering Supplies
Ok, so you’ve decided that you want to give this summer cut a try. The first step in how to give my Doodle dog a summer haircut at home is gathering tools. We will list all items in the order you will use them, along with a few recommendations.
Shampoo & Conditioner
The first thing you will need is to find the perfect shampoo. You want something gentle and conditioning to protect the coat. We recommend something like the Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Pet Grooming Bundle. Getting this bundle will allow your dog to have lush soft fur and a fantastic scent. And don’t forget other bathing tools, like the Dog Bathing Tether with Suction Cup and Bodhi Dog Bath Brush. These little grooming tools can make bath time a breeze.
Dryer
What is the best grooming tool for dogs? We want to argue that a high-velocity dryer is. Using a dryer like this will get your Doodle dry and ready for a haircut in no time. Otherwise, you could be waiting for hours for your Doodle to air dry. These dryers can also prevent skin conditions and dandruff from prolonged wetness on the skin. If you want an affordable dryer, we recommend the Shelandy Pet Hair Force Dryer.
Brushes
Next, you will want to make sure that you have the right brushes on hand. Your usual brushes should be sufficient. But if you don’t already have some, we have a few recommendations. First, you will need a slicker brush like the Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush. You will use this to fluff out the coats and find any tangles.
If your dog tends to mat easily, you will also want a set of dematting tools. We love the Pawradise Pet Undercoat Rake because it has a double-sided blade to break up mats quickly. If the mats are tough, you will also want to use a tangle remover like TropiClean Perfect FurDetangler Spray. It gives the fur a nice slip without leaving a residue.
Electric Clippers And Blades
And finally, the tools that make the summer cut happen. What do dog groomers use to cut hair? Most of them love to use the Andis 22340 ProClip. These clippers are professional-grade and cut like butter. They will stand up to the test of time. And the best yet is that the Andis are some of the quietest clippers on the market. They come with a set of #10 blades, but you don’t want to use this without a comb guard. The Andis 7Piece Premium Clip Animal Comb Set gives you a wide variety of lengths to choose from.
Can I cut my dog’s hair with regular clippers? If it’s a one-time thing, it should be fine. But long term, it’s not a great option. Human clippers aren’t designed for the thick hairs of your Doodle. And after a few uses, you will find they aren’t cutting as well.
Scissors And Combs
Just because you have clippers doesn’t mean you are done yet. You will also need a set of scissors and combs to trim around sensitive areas like the face, ears, and sanitary areas. We prefer to get a set like the Gimars 4CR Stainless Steel Safety Round Tip 6 in 1 Dog Grooming Scissors. This set comes with scissors of all sizes, rounded sheers, and even thinning sheers.
How Do You Give A Doodle Dog Haircut?
Now the moment you’ve been waiting for, how to give my doodle dog a summer haircut at home. These directions are relatively simple, but it will take several hours. Remember to take breaks when needed and give your dog a few treats along the way.
Step One: Wash Your Dog
How can I cut my dog’s hair at home? The first thing you will do is wash your dog and condition them well. Clean hair preserves your clippers and makes the hair cutting process more manageable. Once your Doodle is clean, make sure to dry them completely. This is where that high-velocity dryer speeds things along.
Step Two: Brushing Out
Now that your Doodle is clean, it’s time to brush them. Starting from the head, work your way down with a slicker brush. If you find any knots, use your detangling combs and spray. And be sure that you are brushing to the root to prevent the cutting from causing skin irritations.
Step Three: Shaving The Body
How do you give a Doodle dog a summer cut? Using the electric clippers, choose a comb guard that will keep the coat long enough for you. Starting from the neck, shave down your Doodle’s back. Always shave in the direction of hair growth, and never against. If your dog wants to sit during this part, go ahead and let him because soon he will be standing a lot.
Once you finish shaving the back and sides, you can move on to the stomach. For this, you will want your Doodle to stand and occasionally raise a paw to get everything. Be extra careful around the armpits as the skin easily catches. Now your Doodle should have the body shaved with a long tail, legs, and head.
Step Four: Trimming The Legs
Here is where you can get a little creative. You can either continue shaving the legs in the same guard or create a puppy cut. What is a puppy cut in grooming? These cuts usually have shorter bodies, a round head, and slightly longer hair on the legs and feet.
If you want the puppy cut, continue shaving the legs using the next size-up comb. Otherwise, continue with the same clipper guard. Once you get to the feet, you will need a bit of handy work with scissors. Very carefully, trim the hair on the tops of your Doodle’s feet, even with the legs. And don’t forget to cut the hair between the toes. It will take a few practice runs to make this blend smoothly.
Step Five: Tail Trimming
Don’t forget your Doodle’s tail! If your Doodle is very active, you might consider shaving the tail either the same length as the body. Or you can attempt to trim it and keep it long. To do this, you should pull the dog’s tail gently to straighten it. Comb the hair and part it evenly. Once it’s all straight, cut the hair at an angle towards the bottom. The angle should make the hair shorter at the tip and longer toward the base to give it a nice feathered look. At this time, you should also trim around the anus and sanitary areas. Do these areas with scissors to make it even with the rest of the fur.
Step Six: Finish Off With The Face
How do you cut a doodle at home is relatively easy until this point. A dog’s face is probably the most challenging part and will take the most time. Don’t forget to take breaks and reward your Doodle for being so patient.
Using your clippers and the longest guard used on the legs, shave the head in downward motions. You would use the same technique as brushing the hair from the center of the head down to the chin. Once you get to the jawline, shave from the ear to the end of the snout. And don’t forget to shave under the chin moving from the mouth to the neck. Then Ta-Da! You are all finished! Don’t forget to finish up with a pawdicure using a set like the Ruff ‘N Ruffus UPGRADED Professional 2 Speed Dog Nail Grinder.
So What Do You Think?
Now you know how to give my doodle dog a summer haircut at home. If it seems like something you’d like to get better at, you might even install your very own dog bathing and grooming station. It’s a significant investment at first, but since Doodles live 10-15 years, it could save you in the long run.
Below is a Pinterest friendly photo…. so you can pin it to your Doodle Board!
