To keep a puppy looking like a schnauzer and not a mop, you should plan to make an appointment with a good groomer about every 8 weeks. Comb your puppy daily to prevent mats and get your puppy use to handling and standing for grooming. Pups usually look very cute when they are shaggy but they look so sharp when they are neatly groomed. Some pups will grow coat faster than others. 8 weeks is about average. Some do better getting groomed every 6 weeks and some can go 10 weeks. When you do take your puppy to a groomer, take pictures along of what you want him/her to look like. Not all groomers know how to properly groom a schnauzer. You may come home with a dog that now looks like a cocker spaniel, a poodle or maltese. This is especially true if you have a puppy that is not a ‘regular’ schnauzer color. To avoid heartache and horror (I’ve heard from numerous people about their disappointment in the cut and how their pup now has no beard or eyebrows, lol). Schnauzers with natural tails are also still somewhat unusual so not many groomers know what to do with tails. We groom our Schnauzers tails so that the top and sides are short and there is ‘feathering’ left under the tail. This way, when they walk around, their tail looks like a little banner. Some people prefer the European look for the tail which is a tail that is completely groomed short all over…no feathering. Looks more like a rat tail. Either look is acceptable. It’s just your personal preference.