Hi all

Alfie had his hair cut yesterday, his hair was so long and curly and was becoming a bit matted even though I brush him everyday. I was advised to get him cut as it would be good for him come the hot weather.

The groomer I used was recommended by a colleague. When I dropped Alfie off I told her I didn't want him to short as he is a scruffy looking Shitzu X which really suits him, I didn't want him to look to neat if that makes sense. She asked about his head and face I said "just a little trim".

Well - we picked him up later, she opened the door and all I could say when I saw Alf is OMG. and laugh hysterically out of nervousness!!

His body and paws are great, she left the hair about 2inches long, but is head, omg his head and face is about half a cm He doesn't look like Alfie anymore. He doesnt look balanced if that makes sense. Thing is, its like he knows somethings not right as he's not been the same since.

This might seem like a stupid question but how long do you think it will take to grow back??

Hi, sorry to hear about Alfie's 'hair raising experience'
Don't worry about his hair it will be back to normal soon. I would reckon in about a month his hair will be looking thicker again. My Shih's have a visit to the poodle parlour about every six to eight weeks and I usually opt for a puppy cut when the weathers warmer. It's low maintenence and cooler for them but I do agree they look very cute when looking wild and wooly

Hi,
Aw It is always a bit of a shock to see your pooch scalped like that!

I would agree with the above, it will grow back lovely in a very short spce of time so try not to worry too much. Then doggie will look a million dollars and feel great .

(I'd hazard about a week-2 weeks before it looks a bit less harsh, but I don't have any experience of shitzu fur, I'm only going on my past experience) . Good luck!

I know how you feel..we had Danny groomed once...we'd not had him long and thought we'd get treat him to a wash and brush up...but he went so crazy, he needed muzzling and sedating and still tried to bite the poor girl..we didn't know then how much he hates being groomed

At the end he looked like he's joined the marines thats the only way to explain it...he looked so funny and felt so sorry for himself

I wish we had taken some photos of it, because it didnt look like him at all...but it grew back pretty quickly and the vet has advised not to attempt it again as it traumatised him too much

When I get home I'll try and dig up photos from last time Murphy was scalped LOL.

I do him myself now - pretty badly - but apart from the bald spots, when I slipped with the clippers, and the uneven muzzle I get closer to the effect I want - manageable, shortish but not too short.

Believe me, even in an old dog it grows back failry quickly. In a pup i'll take no time at all.

I know exactly what you mean. We had a Bedlington from a puppy and she was a raggy fluffy cutey. My OH took her to be cut whilst I was at work and I arranged to meet him after. I walked in and poor Stel was just standing looking at me (with a huge bow round her neck) as if to say "what have you done to me". She still looks cute it's just I prefer her when shes a bit more shaggy.

Before and after

[img=http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/2121/002xfk.th.jpg]
[img=http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/2726/003jxq.th.jpg]

Aww, he's such a cute dog he looks gorgeus in both

Thanks We love him so much either way but we feel bad about it. My hubby did ask the groomer when we picked him up if his hair cut come with a hat

Prefer him scruffy looking tho, can't wait for it to grow.

Did it not grow back fully then?

Not sure if I'm allowed to post this but cam across this guys plight which made me laugh (although its not funny when it happens to you!)

Lots of swearing - sorry!

http://www.sherdog.net/forums/f48/i-...w-back-603718/

I honestly think he looks adoreable in both pictures and cannot see any 'bad haircut' but I can see how being used to him with longer hair and not expecting such an extreme it must have been a massive shock and upset....

My Cookie had his hair cut recently, I made it clear if they butchered his hair their would be hell lol. He came back looking just how I had asked him to be done. His fur on his paws and bum was cut right back like I asked and it was very long. It's grown back very, very quickly. I'd say he had it done about 6 weeks ago and it's almost all grown back. Give it time and it will start to grow out.

I know how you must feel though, Cookie is a long coat Chi and I just wanted him trimmed up not to come back looking like a short coat. It wouldn't look like him.

Don't worry it will grow back.

Hi again

The photos are great, he looks gorgeous in both, I think he's lovely in either photo, what a sweetheart he is!!

Just looked at the pics and honestly hand on heart I think he looks fine to me, not a bad cut at all. And I don't think it looks short.

He'll be back to his scruffy old self in no time lol. Cookie was all nice and neat and trimmed but it didn't take long before he was a scruff bag again.

Yes, same here, I think the hair dresser has done a nice job really! It's just natural to get a bit of a shock when your beloved pooch has a haircut. It will look fantastic by next week and you'll be glad you did it for him in the warm weather.

I honestly think they did a good job on him. He looks lovely, not too much trimmed off the face. He's a very handsomme boy indeed.

Thanks for all your kind responses, feel a bit better about it now and getting used to him - its def the shock of how different he looks.

Mind you should have known I wouldn't be happy with it, I've had more hair disasters myself than hot dinners

Will def use this approach next time

Do you have any before n after pics please? BTW many thanks for your kind responses

OP, I understand exactly where you're coming from. I've seen the before and after pictures of Alfie and he looks fine.

But our wheaten terrier has just been trimmed and they've shaved off her beard. Yes, she looks lovely but she doesn't look like herself. She looks like a different dog. I'm gutted but I know it will grow back.