Wow, Jillie is so pretty!
I probably go a few months between professional grooms, but I trim in between. Thor starts out with a long puppy cut, and I let the sides get really long.
<usually I take him in when he starts peeing on it>. If I wanted to maintain it, I'd probably take him in every month.
He has kind of a messy look, but I think he looks cute and puppyish with it. I don't like it as much when it's neat.
I do brush him every night to prevent matting in the shoulder area. It's part of our whole bedtime routine.