does matted hair mean they have to be shaved?

[gypsyqueen]

Originally Posted by my2boyz

Lots of groomers take the easy way out and shave dogs...less time on each dog means more time for more dogs = more money. Not too many groomers want to take the time to brush through tangles but tangles and mats can usually be brushed out if you shake a little corn starch on the matted area and brush with a pin brush. I don't use soft bristled brushed because they don't get all the way through the coat. My Biewer girls have a ton of hair and they're losing their puppy fuzz so that tends to tangle easily but I used the corn starch and pin brush and they came right out.

Lots of groomers call the cut you got a 'puppy' cut but if they shave them I think they just took the easy way out. To me a puppy cut should be fluffy and cute...not shaved to the skin.

Im a groomer and I dont do that however this is his first time at the groomers most groomers will not stress the dog that way due to age always use a comb when your done brushing so as not to miss any matts I have taken hours to dematt a dog and it is not comfortable for them to find them matted when they return also your groomer could have just shaveed the matts only if it was just little

[JeanieK]

I bathe, brush and blowdry once a week and they do not get any tight to the skin matts, just tangles in the long coat.

I think it is good that the groomer did not stress him by working on the matts, at his age he probably would not have stood still for it for long.

[kenshinvt]

thanks everyone for the compliments.. I do think he still looks good, just..different now. His hair is a lot softer to the touch now as well.

Sounds like it's best to just keep em shaved as pups then worrying about the matting later as they get older. I'll keep in mind all the advice about the brushes to use.

[Smarty Bones]

I agree your baby is a cutie -- Love the lion image. A lot of yorkies think they're big and ferocious after all! LOL. You've got a great outlook on things too!

[xxmxaxrxyxx]

likewise still a cutie!

[yorkiekist]

Originally Posted by JeanieK

I bathe, brush and blowdry once a week and they do not get any tight to the skin matts, just tangles in the long coat.

I think it is good that the groomer did not stress him by working on the matts, at his age he probably would not have stood still for it for long.

Good post and good advice!

[amandawash]

Oh my gosh he is freakin' adorable!! I think he looks darling!!!!!! As an aside, their hair does grow back relatively quickly, you will have the baby you knew back very soon.

[k2p1e]

'Lots of groomers take the easy way out and shave dogs...less time on each dog means more time for more dogs = more money. Not too many groomers want to take the time to brush through tangles but tangles and mats can usually be brushed out if you shake a little corn starch on the matted area and brush with a pin brush. I don't use soft bristled brushed because they don't get all the way through the coat. My Biewer girls have a ton of hair and they're losing their puppy fuzz so that tends to tangle easily but I used the corn starch and pin brush and they came right out.

Lots of groomers call the cut you got a 'puppy' cut but if they shave them I think they just took the easy way out. To me a puppy cut should be fluffy and cute...not shaved to the skin'

Sorry I took a bit of offense to this. I am a groomer, I am also the most expensive salon in our area.

The others are right, if you are using a brush, often the brush will skim over the matts, whereas using a fine tooth metal come (preferably teflon coated) you can catch all those little tiny matts.

When a pup comes in matted there are THREE option...

1. take the dog home and brush and comb and demat it and then bring it back.

2. We shave it down, get underneath the matts, and start with a fresh coat. Often dematting will result in damaged hair cuticles and will be more supseptible to matting in the future.

3. We demat very carefully...we also charge for our time. 15 mins is included in the regular cost of the groom (we start around $45 for a yorkie who is well bahaved for groomng and in good coat condition) it costs $60/hour to demat. I have dematted a few yorkie pups and the most expensive was $120 for over 2 hour dematting (which can be done safely with proper equipment, supplies and tools but it can also be VERY slow)

I don't mind taking the time to demat and avoid shaving BUT time is money to me,. You are right more dogs=more money. I love my job but I am not working for free, I cannot be expected to take a paycut that day because someone does not want to pay me for the time to brush out their matted pup. Grooming is my career not my hobby.
Majority of people are shocked when they hear the cost of dematting their severly tangled little dog.

I also HATE the term 'puppy cut', it is generic and means something different to every groomer...some mean 6 week old puppies...smooth hair!, And others mean 1" all over. When people ask for a puppy cut I ask HOW long/short and I want it in a a term that is measurable (1" or less then 1/2")

Shaving a dog is not the easy way out, it is what owners have decided. Either they want it short for convenience sake or they have not brushed at home and do not want to do it at home (or were unable to) and do not want to pay the extra fee for dematting.

[Darlin Beauxs]

Originally Posted by kenshinvt

here's a pic

He is adorable. I know it is shocking when they come home that short, but give it a week or two and it will start to look fluffier. I got Cooper cut down because he runs in the grass in the am and everyday it looked like he had been in the shower, then he rolled on the couch, or jumped in my bed, all soggy
Even though he is an adult, he still has that tangly coat...so I had it cut. Husband hates it because it says it makes him look too little--LOL

You will get used to it!

[ChicoRico]

I took Chico in to be groomed too and when I picked him I didn't recognize him. They shaved him because they said he had major matting also. I haven't taken him back to the groomers since because I'm afraid they'll shave him again. He has such long beautiful hair again and he does need a trim but I am still scared. My dog looks a lot like yours. I did enjoy putting clothes on him while he was shaved and you can see his collar while his hair is short. I do have to admit that his hair did grow back quickly and doesn't mat much now.

[k2p1e]

Instead of being afraid why not set up appts that are very regular so her doesn't get matted??

I have one lady with 4 yorkies, 2 are in full coat, so she has one come a week. The ones in full coat I see every 3 weeks and the two in shorter coats only come every 6-8 weeks.


I am a dog groomer and i will admit I never brush my dogs hair, lol. I am so busy but I have also found that as long as I have kenzie done at least once a month (her hair is LONG but thin) she is good. And Reggie has that cottony coat of horrors. i look at him crosseyed and he matts he needs to be done every 6 weeks and the longest i can leave his hair is 3/4"...any longer and he needs more frequent grooming or he will matt.

i used to have him in ful coat, so lovely!!! But I had to groom him every single week.

(and they do get bath in between but I mean by groom is the full meal deal)