Hi - we are pet fosterer's in Scotland and have taken on a 3 year old whose owner has had to go away suddenly and we have no contact. The dogs coat is very matted and hangs in huge lumps from his chest and tummy, we live in woodland and his coat is getting filled with twigs and pine needles, he also seems to get distressed and is trying to scratch on the furniture. Should we clip him, and if so how long would it take his hair to grow again.

Olly and Brian

I don't know how long it will take to regrow, but I was told by a Puli breeder that if the coat was kept to no more than 3 inches long and brushed out that the cords could be kept from forming and the dog would have a poodle like coat, and that this was prefered by some pet owners.

If you were able to come to the SKC show tomorrow you could come and see some Spanish Water Dogs who have a similar coat as some of them have been clipped. I would think that the time it takes for a Spanish's coat to grow would be similar to a Puli's. I've found in mine that it takes longer than a Poodles and they do suit their short coats.

someone told me it take,s up to 3 to 5 years to get their coat back to the cords,if its a pet i would clip it of with a blade of number 3,all over,

A Puli in our village has been trimmed to have 5" cords all over - and he looks terrific! His owners say it's much easier to keep his coat clean and dry.

Hi,

If the dogs coat is matted, I would say go ahead and clip him completely, after all it doesn't matter if it doesn't grow back properly, at least he will be comfortable.

There are two Puli's who live near me and they look APPALLING!!!! They are completely matted and boy do they stink!! The bloke thinks this is how they are supposed to look and won't take anybody saying anything else.

manda
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