Labradoodle Kennel Cut

[lindseylatch]

I work for a Labradoodle breeder who is breeding fleece and wool coats. She currently has most of her dogs in long coats (unless they were shaved for matts). She recently lost her full time groomer and can't hire another one.
Does anyone have suggestions for a good kennel cut for labradoodles?
She really doesn't want something that looks "poodle-ish."
We were thinking something like a puppy cut, about 2 inches all over the body. Is this a tough cut for beginners?
The other employee and I will be going down to the groomer in town to learn some basics, but I doubt we'll be experts.

[tessa_s212]

I have no experience with grooming "labradoodles". I only groom on my spare time and most of my customers are Shih-Tzus.

I am not trying to be rude at all, but I would not work for this person. 1) she is breeding mixed breeds. 2)If she can't hire another groomer, she probably can't afford her dogs and 3)She does not seem to responsible for letting her dogs get mats that need to be shaved in the first place.

I urge you not to support this breeder.

If you are doing this for the experience, maybe you could visit dog grooming places instead. Ask if they'd let you watch and ask questions.

[Shalva]

well thank you Tessa you were nicer than me.... I was going to say something to the effect of
stop breeding mutts and grooming won't be an issue.....

S

[lindseylatch]

They are all actually Australian Labradoodles, and she is actively working with the various groups that are working to get them a registered breed. I did not start this thread to get everyone's opinions on Labradoodles, but on grooming.
I work for her because I need experience in the business before I consider starting my own (boarding) kennel.

The groomer was also a kennel worker, whom I am replacing because she quit very suddenly. It's not really a money issue. This woman worked hard to find a groomer to replace her, but was unable to find someone.

Please do not respond to this thread unless you have helpful advice on the grooming aspect of the question. If not, start another thread somewhere else. thanks.

[shandoggy1]

What is the difference between a labradoodle and an Australian one? Are they just bred in Australia? "NOT"! I wouldn't support someone breeding MUTTS! As far as I am concerned I have groomed poodles and labs as I have been a groomer for 10 years and it saddens me that they are mixing the two breeds together. We have already had a thread about Labradoodle, goldendoodles and all those other "Mutt" mixed poo poo dogs I had recently seen a labradoodle calendar and they have all different coat types and also the ones I have met at dog parks all have had different coat types as well. Thus, I don't think a kennel cut would look that great on one. But I may be wrong. You should get a poodle book of the different cuts. I think a mix like that would look best in a puppy cut.

[Cassiepeia]

Labradoodles are an Australian creation originally. We have an Australian Labradoodle Association that is suppose to be trying to get it recognised as a breed. If they're really doing what they say they are...I have no real issue with them.

I have to say, Lindsey is absolutely right. This thread is about 'grooming' not the rights and wrongs of breeding poos & doodles. Please refrain from commenting on the ethics of breeding and stick to the topic at hand.

EDIT: Lindsey...I think a puppy cut would work well. I shouldn't think it's that difficult to learn either.

Cass.

[shandoggy1]

Well Cass, I gave advice on grooming but I also gave my opinion on breeding mutts as well as others did. We do have a right to speak what we feel!

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

Originally Posted by shandoggy1

Well Cass, I gave advice on grooming but I also gave my opinion on breeding mutts as well as others did. We do have a right to speak what we feel!

Yes Shan you do have the right to say what you feel, everyone here is entitled to their opinion but, we also try to stick to the topic at hand so that the threads don't go waaay off. Just makes it difficult for everyone to sift through everything to get the the posts containing info on the subject.

[tessa_s212]

lindsey, I am sorry if what I said offended you, but you cannot bring up the subjects of labradoodles and only include the little information that you gave us and not expect us to doubt this breeder.

Thankyou for giving some more information, but the fact that you say these dogs are getting mats and are having to be shaved still bothers me.

If mats are a problem, a short puppy cut is probably the best way to go. If kept pretty short, maybe this breeder will be able to take care of their coats better.

[lindseylatch]

I think what happened is that she got too many dogs and didn't really realize what she was getting into.
I don't support her having this many dogs, I think she needs to cut back by at least half, if not more. There are 13(!!!!!) litters planned for the next 6 months and there's only two employees and her. I don't think she'll do it though, so I want what's best for the dogs.
These guys are actually being bred for a specific coat, which is very poodle-ish, yet the woman doesn't want them to look like poodles...Sounds stupid to me, I mean, they have more poodle blood than lab (she breeds purebred poodles into her line), so they're gonna look like poodles. :P

[Giny]

If you are to give him a puppy cut where you are leaving a couple inches of fur all over you'll need to hand scissor the entire body which can be difficult if your not accustom to scissoring but with lots of practice I'm sure you'll be able to achieve this cut. Unless you have attached combs to your clippers but they don't always do a great job depending on the dogs coat texture. Just be sure to fluff him up nicely while you dry his coat.

[poodlesmom]

A short clip would be much easier to maintain. I keep my 2 standard poodles short all over. It is funny that we have run into so many people, including some poodle owners, who had no idea what breed they are because they aren't in any of the typical poodle clips. I do keep their ears longer but I have seen a couple of standards with their ears clipped really short as well.

[Hugo]

If you have no experience grooming (or very little) then an all over comb cut might not be the best thing for you to try first time out. Personally, if it were me I would keep a short clip on them at first. You can do something with a 5F or 7F (blade size) down on the body and legs. This will keep them short for a little while longer enabling you to stay on top of the brushing at it grows out. While the coat is coming back in you and the breeder can maintain them by bathing AND brushing regularly. Do not bathe the dog if you havent the time to brush it out properly. Bathing only tightens the mats.

Once you and the dogs become used to each other and you get more experience with the clippers and more comfortable with the scissors, then you can attempt to do a comb (or scissor) cut. Giny is right you must bathe, FLUFF and brush out the dog completely before getting into hand scissoring for it to look smooth and not choppy.

While i have no experience on labradoodles, or what haircuts suits their looks the best, you will just have to experience for yourself what to do with their faces. Again, if it were mine I would opt for a clean shaven face, afterall labs and poodles do have clean faces (although some pet poodles get a moustache left when they get their clips). I just like the look of a clean face on a poodle, for the most part. But you can always practise by doing some in cute little schnauzer faces, shih tzu faces, etc on them. There is enough for you to practise on so why not have a bit of fun too Remember, if you are not used to hand scissoring BE VERY CAREFUL! One little slip could mean a toe or ear gets whacked off! And that dog WILL remember it for the next time! Also you will be nervous for the first few haircuts, just go slow and if it is something your are unsure about, take a break and go play with the doggies! They will sense you being nervous, so relax.
Shellie~

[lindseylatch]

Thanks everyone for the advice! We have a woman here who might be hired as a groomer. I'm not sure how many hours a week though. And of course if the dogs are in long coats it takes hours to brush all the matts out, esp. since it's been so long for some of them.
I wish we could just shave 'em all down and make 'em wear coats. :P We spent a couple hours the other day working on one of the purebred poodles, and got most of her matts out with some new combs we got that have longer bristles.
My co-worker is going to the groomers today to learn some techniques that we're hoping will help.

[Kade]

Good luck! I hope you are right that she doesn't have 13 litters coming... it sounds like you already have your hands quite full!

I think a short clip sounds about right. A puppy clip is actually quite sculpted.