Poodle. Achieve cutting perfection

The poodle is a decorative dog, a companion and friend of children. France is considered its homeland.

And the name comes from the German word “paddeln”, which means splashing in the water.

The dog's weight is from 2.2 to 30 kg (depending on the size variety), height at the withers is 24-50 cm, life expectancy is 14-18 years.

The dog has unsurpassed intelligence, artistry, and inexhaustible energy.

A distinctive feature of the breed is its thick coat, which requires careful grooming, and the absence of shedding.

Do I need to cut my hair?

As already mentioned, a poodle’s coat is its main decoration and main problem. It has its own characteristics and requires constant care.

The thing is that when shedding, dead hairs on a poodle do not fall out like other dogs, but remain in the undercoat. Therefore, he often develops tangles, which are then difficult to get rid of. It is for this reason that the dog should definitely have its hair cut.

Historically, poodles were cut not for aesthetic reasons, but out of necessity.

There were several reasons for this:

• Due to the fact that the pet's paws were cut short, it was easier for him to swim.
• A lush coat of wool on the chest protected from the cold.
• The tassel on the tail protected the delicate skin from thorns and thorns.
• Long bangs protected the eyes from rain, wind, thorny branches and grass.

But that was in the past. In the modern world, such an appearance has become a symbol of elegance and luxury. But it's not just about beauty.

The modern poodle also needs comfort, convenience and hygiene . Excessively overgrown hair interferes with swimming and blocks the view, which can cause the dog’s vision to deteriorate.

In addition, overgrown and unkempt fur can cause skin diseases. Therefore, cutting a poodle is a matter of hygiene and only then of beauty.

Another important point is exhibitions. If a poodle is not groomed to all standards, it will not be allowed to show .

How often should a poodle be cut? Most experts believe that haircuts should be done no more than once every 3-4 months. At the same time, in the summer the pet is cut more often than in the winter.

Expert opinion

Kozhevin Semyon Kirillovich

Expert dog handler.

“The poodle’s coat is neither dog nor wolf, but rather sheep-like. If you don't cut such a dog, you simply won't recognize it. The dog will look unkempt and his coat will be full of tangles. All this causes the dog a lot of inconvenience, closes his eyes, and interferes with his ability to move and swim. In addition, an uncut pet is not allowed to enter any exhibitions.”

Should you cut your hair yourself or leave it to a professional?

If you have certain skills, you can do a simple hygienic haircut yourself . This requires tools and a little skill.

But, when preparing your pet for an exhibition, a home haircut is indispensable. A professional is needed here. Moreover, the master must have extensive experience working with poodles.

As for hygienic haircuts, if you have little experience and are afraid of injuring your pet, you should also contact a grooming salon . An experienced hairdresser will not only show you how to cut your pet’s hair, but will also give recommendations.

Poodle grooming, price from 1900 rubles in the DOG-SPA salon

“DOG-SPA” professionals will cut your poodle’s hair in a high-quality and affordable manner in our salon or at home at any time convenient for you, call. To create a harmonious and complete image of a pet, our experienced craftsmen are ready to apply the knowledge and skills acquired over years of professional activity. The best results can be achieved by using professional tools and high-quality cosmetics for animals. Hygienic grooming of a poodle is a mandatory procedure for every pet.

After you see your pet, whose fur has been brought into full order by the caring hands of our groomers, you will have no doubts about choosing a permanent hairdresser for your pet. Clients who return to the DOG-SPA home salon again become participants in a profitable loyalty program.

The Poodle is an extremely charming, kind, playful dog with a sweet, open character. Without exaggeration, it can be called an ideal pet, whose luxurious appearance becomes the unspoken calling card of its owners. Giving your poodle a bear haircut will give your pet an even more interesting look.

First-class specialists at the DOG-SPA home salon will be happy to take care of your pet’s fur and will do everything to ensure that the procedure for trimming excess hair is absolutely painless for the animal and accessible to caring owners!

Types of haircuts with photos

Scandinavian lion

When cutting the “Scandinavian Lion”, the hair on the dog’s head is cut straight to the neck, while the eyes should be visible.

The result is something like a crown. In the area of ​​the muzzle, the hair is completely removed; if desired, a small mustache can be left on the lips.

On the ears, the hair is slightly trimmed, but left long . On the body (up to the last rib), neck and chest, the hair is left long, and the hips, croup, lower back, and shins are (partially) processed using a machine.

As a result, the dog resembles an elegant lion with a mane and pom-poms on its paws and tail..

Modern

In this case, the muzzle, paws, throat and base of the tail are trimmed to zero.

At the same time, the hair on all other parts of the body is shortened. In this case, the length of the coat according to the standard should not be shorter than 1 cm.

There are many varieties of “Modern” , so when performing exhibition grooming, the master must know all the requirements of the standard, since any mistake will lead to the disqualification of the dog .

Anglo-Saxon

At first glance, this model is very similar to a lion, but there are still some differences. The overall outline of the hairstyle is reminiscent of the Lion haircut, but the back is cut a little differently.

On the rump, in the groin, on the lower back, the hair is not shaved to zero . On these parts of the body, a fur coat approximately 1.2 cm long is left, and the tail is decorated with a pompom.

The fur on the face and throat is completely cut off . Particular attention is paid to the hind legs; at the request of the dog’s owner, beautiful bracelets of the correct shape are cut on the bottom.

Korean

A Korean haircut is usually a hairstyle based on a sheep's haircut, but the fur on the face is cut in a special way, after which the dog looks like a plush teddy toy and takes on a very cute appearance.

This hairstyle is done quite simply; the body, paws and neck are processed with a machine, while its length remains the same on all parts of the body..

According to the standard, it should not be shorter than 2.5 cm, longer hair is acceptable. The length of the hair on the head can be longer than on the body, but the transition should be very soft and unnoticeable.

CAREFULLY!

A significant drawback of the hairstyle is that the fur on the face requires special care. She will need to be combed and cleaned regularly after eating.

Hygienic

As a rule, a classic haircut is done on animals that have a very neglected appearance. In this case, the hair on all parts of the body (head, muzzle, chest, back, front and hind limbs) is completely cut off.

This hairstyle requires extreme concentration from the artist, since wounds, abrasions, and other skin damage can be found under the tangles . Usually such a haircut is performed as a last resort, if there is no other way out.

The second type of hygienic haircut is maintaining shape. In this case, the master simply trims the contours of the hairstyle using a machine and scissors.

If, after a hygienic haircut, wounds and abrasions are found on your pet’s skin, they should be immediately treated with special solutions..

And after the procedure, you need to urgently show the dog to the veterinarian.

Continental

The Continental is a show cut . Here the groomer’s task is to create the ideal image of the dog.

In this hairstyle, the head, body, front and hind legs are styled in the same way as in the “Lion” haircut.

The only difference is 2 round pompoms on the animal’s rump.

Japanese

The Japanese (Asian) haircut gives the dog a very cute “toy” look. The main features of the Japanese style are neatly trimmed fur on the face and attention to detail.

Brightly colored strands, hairpins, bows and other decorations are all unique elements of Japanese style . As a result, the dog has a slightly cartoonish and cute appearance.

Another difference between the Japanese style and all others is its individual approach.

Here the haircut is tailored to the pet's character and is done very professionally . After this, the coat will be easy to care for, and the dog will have a neat appearance for a long time.

Features of a poodle haircut

It should be noted that dogs of this breed take the grooming process calmly. Poodles are so accustomed to living next to people that they do not perceive the groomer as a threat, receiving real pleasure from the procedure. During grooming, the poodle is not even restrained; he sits with dignity, flawlessly following the commands of his owners.

An exquisite poodle is a representative of the secular canine society, so its appearance should always be at its best . It is almost impossible to properly cut such a dog on your own; there are a lot of options for “hairstyles”, and new trends appear all the time.

The basic “Lion” haircut appeared in the distant hunting past; all other effective methods are only its modifications.

To keep the coat in excellent condition, it needs to be groomed regularly. For this, owners will need:

• brush with a rubberized base;
• sparse comb;
• slicker;
• tangle cutter

Puppies should be brought to the groomer as early as possible and their forms should be updated regularly. Before starting the process, the dog must be bathed and the fur thoroughly dried.

Curls appear on poorly dried wool, which makes it difficult to give the desired shape when cutting.

What is necessary?

Essential Tools for Grooming a Poodle:

• High quality dog ​​clipper with sharp blades. Moreover, the blades can be designed for cutting any breed of dog.
• Sharp scissors, preferably hairdressing scissors.
• Special nail clippers, since during a haircut it is advisable to immediately trim the dog’s nails.
• Shampoo.
• Towel.
• Hair dryer.
• Comb or comb.

You should also prepare a well-lit place . A table with a flat surface and a rubber mat to prevent your dog's paws from slipping is best.

Which machine should I choose?

It should be said right away that dog clippers differ in a number of parameters.

This:

• Price.
• Operating time without overheating.
• Durability.
• Weight.
• Ergonomics (more expensive models are more comfortable and the hand gets less tired when working).

IMPORTANT!

If you always groom your dog at home or have several pets, then it is better for you to purchase a professional device with an electric motor and gearbox.

If you have one pet, then a machine with rigidly fixed knives and a vibration drive will be enough for you.

But, at the same time, the machine must have a function for adjusting the length of the wool in the range from 0.5 to 3 mm.

It’s even better if the device is equipped with special attachments that allow you to expand the range from 0.3 to 15 mm.

The most popular manufacturers of dog clippers:

1. Moser (Germany). The devices of this company are considered one of the best in the world. They are distinguished by their reliability and high quality of haircuts performed with their help. There are two types of such machines - vibrating and rotary (more powerful).
2. Wahl Clipper Corporation (USA). Their machines are of high quality, and their main feature is durable and sharp knives.
3. Oster (USA). Oster clippers are characterized by high power, which allows you to cut several pets at home at once.
4. Aesculap (Germany). The clippers produced by Aesculap are designed for dogs of any size; they can be used to cut both toy and large poodles.

Basic Rules

If you decide to trim your pet at home, then you need to know the basic rules so that your poodle is trimmed neatly and so as not to harm the animal.

So, the basic rules for cutting a poodle:

1. Before you start cutting, decide on its shape. When starting the procedure, you must know what needs to be done and in what order.
2. Before the procedure, be sure to bathe your dog and dry its fur. It is highly not recommended to cut your dog's hair if its coat is dirty or wet.
3. After bathing, it is advisable to treat the coat with a balm appropriate to the type of coat for easier combing.
4. If your pet does not want to get a haircut, snaps or bites, postpone the procedure for several days.
5. The dog is groomed in a standing position.
6. Any haircut always starts from the back, gradually moving down.
7. The dog's face and belly should be trimmed extremely carefully, as the skin in these areas is especially delicate.
8. Particular attention should be paid to the hair between the toes, as matted clumps can cause pain to the dog. Whenever you groom, be sure to trim the hair between your toes.
9. The dog should not be turned during the procedure. You will have to walk around it yourself.
10. During processing, the clipper and scissors should move parallel to the cutting area and follow the anatomical contours of the dog.
11. The haircut should always be done in the direction of hair growth, with the exception of the front paws, here the hair is cut against the growth.
12. If you are planning a short haircut, then you should not remove all the hair at once, do it in stages so as not to injure your pet.
13. The pet's belly and paws must be treated, regardless of the hairstyle.

Poodle. Achieve cutting perfection

Haircuts. Laying. Valuable advice

Grooming a poodle for show requires a high level of skill from the groomer. This includes general skill in using tools, as well as the specific subtleties inherent in grooming dogs of this breed.

At the end of March 2013, a master class “Exhibition grooming of a poodle” was held at the Boncherie school. The groomers who came to the event were not deterred by the complexity of the topic being discussed. They were confident that they would take away as much knowledge as possible from this event, and they were not mistaken.

This master class was conducted by Roman Fomin, the leading teacher of our school. His name is known in the poodle show world, because he is the winner of many exhibitions, including international ones. Only a professional who is completely immersed in the topic can teach others such complex things as show poodle grooming.

The event began with an introductory theoretical part . Roman, together with his students, reviewed a book by an American author with options for grooming poodles, talked about the types of haircuts and rated them by complexity. For example, the “English lion” is traditionally considered the most difficult haircut, which even experienced groomers often fail to cope with. The most popular exhibition haircuts are “Scandinavian Lion” and “Continental”, which were the subject of the practical block of the master class.

In the same introductory part, the teacher noted that it is very important to be able to preserve the poodle’s coat between competitions. To do this, the animal’s luxurious “mane” is braided in a special way that is convenient for the dog and allows the fur not to deteriorate. Roman showed how to correctly carry out this procedure on the first model. By the way, both poodles in the master class are real show dogs. It is quite possible that the haircuts Roman made will help them win the next exhibition.

Before demonstrating the haircut technique, the teacher handed out printed diagrams to everyone. During the explanation, students made notes and signatures on them in order to better understand the material.

The first was the Scandinavian Lion . According to his methodology, Roman divided the process into a sequence of simple operations and elaborated on each one. Everything is important here - the angle of inclination of the scissors, their direction, the amplitude of movements, the choice of the number of the machine knives... Strictly following the algorithm proposed by Roman will allow you to get ideal lines and the correct Scandinavian Lion haircut.

the show styling on the same poodle . This final touch before entering the ring is important to do correctly to enhance the impression of a well-done haircut.

The next stage of the master class is the Continental . It is, of course, more complicated than the previous one, but it is quite accessible to every diligent groomer. Its distinctive feature is the two side balls of wool on the body of the dog. It turns out that cutting them is quite simple - you need to be careful and, of course, know one subtlety that Roman suggested to the master class listeners.

In addition, the teacher spoke in detail about cutting the correct shape of the “mane”, which is cut completely differently from the “Scandinavian Lion”. In general, in every seemingly uncomplicated stage of the haircut, Roman revealed little secrets. This is precisely the skill of the Maestro, the level of which every listener of this event will be able to approach over time.

Groomers who attended the “Exhibition Poodle Grooming” master class came away with a great desire to start grooming poodles as soon as possible. Of course, they won’t be able to immediately start preparing the dogs for the show. They will have to practice these skills in practice, on their ordinary, non-exhibition clients. But a start has already been made - these groomers are not afraid to pick up the scissors, update their knowledge on their notes and perform Scandinavian Lion and Continental haircuts on poodles. Patience and hard work will certainly lead such masters to success and victories at exhibitions. Let's wish them good luck!

Do you want to prepare poodles for exhibitions? Come to Roman Fomin's next poodle master class.

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Instructions for the Scandinavian Lion pattern

Processing stages:

1. Using a machine with a minimal attachment, the dog’s face is treated, including the area of ​​the neck and cheekbones.
2. The hind legs are trimmed with a clipper, starting from the bend and moving in the direction of hair growth.
3. The thighs, groin and tail are also treated using a machine with a zero attachment.
4. Particular attention should be paid to the area between the fingers; this area is treated using sharp scissors with long ends.
5. The tail is also cut with a clipper, while only processing ¼ at the base.
6. The pompom on the tail is formed with scissors.
7. The cuffs on the front and hind legs are left at a height of 2-3 cm from the pads. The cuffs are also formed using a machine and trimmed with scissors.
8. The dog's chest, head, and back are treated with scissors.

"Modern"

Technology:

1. In some cutting options, the fur on the face is cut to zero using a clipper, while in others, small whiskers are left, which are carefully processed with scissors.
2. Something similar to a crown is formed on the poodle's head, using sharp hairdressing scissors.
3. The so-called mane is formed using scissors, gradually moving from one side to the other. Mane processing begins from the side, then moves to the back, and then to the other side.
4. The paws and tail will also be processed using a machine. In this case, the paws are processed in such a way that the panties remain.
5. The space between the fingers is trimmed with scissors.

"Hygienic"

In this case, everything will depend on the condition of the animal's fur . If the dog is well-groomed and the hairstyle requires only correction, then both a clipper and scissors are used.

Stages of the procedure:

1. Treatment of the dog begins with the muzzle and moves towards the sternum, then to the ear, and then to the outer corner of the eye. The other side is treated in the same way. The muzzle is trimmed using a clipper with a minimal attachment. If the poodle had a mustache before, they are carefully trimmed with scissors.
2. The next stage is the paws. The wool here is completely sheared using a machine. If there are pom-poms on the paws, they are carefully trimmed with scissors.
3. The base of the tail is also processed with a machine, and the pompom is processed with scissors.
4. The abdomen is always shaved with a clipper, the same goes for the genitals, testicles, and the area around the anus.
5. The back, chest and sides of the dog can be treated with both a clipper and scissors, depending on the style of haircut.

If the pet is not well-groomed and only needs hygiene, then the master only operates a machine, and uses scissors only when processing paws.

In this case, fur is removed as much as possible from all parts of the animal’s body..

"Korean"

Stages of the procedure:

1. Preparing wool. Before starting the procedure, the dog's fur should be prepared. The pet is washed with a special shampoo, but without conditioner. If the wool becomes electrified, the master uses an antistatic agent or a spray conditioner.
2. Drying. In this case, the hair dryer jet is directed at the roots of the hair so that the hair falls into the position needed when cutting. For the Korean hairstyle, the dog's fur is raised up and combed, giving volume.
3. The body, neck and paws are clipped, leaving the same length throughout the body. Sometimes on the lower third of the paws there are six longer ones with a soft smooth transition. Therefore, the paws look slightly widened towards the bottom, forming the so-called flares. The length of the hair on the entire body of the dog must be at least 2.5 cm.
4. The pet's face is processed with scissors, leaving a neat beard and mustache. At the same time, they are trimmed so that the dog has a cute puppy-like appearance.
5. The fur on the ears is processed with scissors, leaving long hanging strands. At the request of the owner, the length of the hair on the ears can vary.
6. The hair on the head is also cut with scissors, leaving the length that the owner requests.
7. The pet's torso and neck are processed using a machine with an appropriate attachment.
8. The tail is formed using scissors in the form of a pompom or fluffy feather.

If your pet is drooling or tears, then before starting to treat the face, dry it with a hairdryer again.

Poodle haircuts: nuances you need to pay attention to

Classic variations: “pappy clip”, “lion”, “English saddle”, “modern”. With them, dogs are admitted to international exhibitions, all other images are considered domestic.

Important! The description of the mechanics highlights only the main points that require attention.

"A lion"

The technique is simple, just stick to the silhouette described by the standards:

• parts of the body that are cut to zero are processed using a machine;
• cut off the face. Two-thirds of the throat is occupied by an oval or V-shaped neckline up to the ears;
• pom-poms on the front legs, in the hock area of ​​the hind legs and on the tail.

Particular attention is paid to the “crown”, choosing either a “cap” or a standard cut shape. There are variations with “mittens” and the American “Lion” (standard for the royal poodle).

"Modern"

The standards establish that with such a haircut, the hair is removed from the muzzle, cheeks, throat, paws, part of the abdomen and a third of the tail . They leave whiskers and fur on the ears. The crown is cut from the ear and given a semicircular shape. Haircut principles:

• the hair of the scruff is cut so as to create a soft transition to the back and sides;
• short hair remains on the body, the chest and buttocks are cut off;
• leave a short length from the withers to the sacrum;
• the tail ends with a round pompom;
• the feet are trimmed, the claws should be visible.

There is a variety of "Modern" called "puppy". This is how young poodles are cut without touching or changing the contours of the mane.

Anglo-Saxon haircut or "English saddle"

The most advantageous option for poodles:

• the front part of the body is cut according to the contours of the “Lion”;
• the fur of the sacrum and groin is no longer than 2 cm;
• the pompom occupies two thirds of the upper part of the tail;
• the forearms are completely bare to the middle, two horizontal “cuts” need to be cut on the hind legs;
• hair on the heel at least 10 cm long;
• the hair of the head above the forehead gathers into a top-knot;
• “antennae” is not left behind.

The Anglo-Saxon haircut comes with “sleeves and pants”, then the forearms are not cut.

"Pappy Clip"

Previously, dogs under the age of 15 months and participating in junior exhibitions looked like this. Now this is one of the most fashionable haircuts for adult poodles :

• the muzzle is cut very short;
• the hair on the dog’s paws and body is only slightly shortened;
• the hind legs are trimmed so that the “pants” do not hide the bend of the joints;
• a “helmet” is cut on the head, the presence of a forelock at the owner’s choice.

How much does grooming cost?

Prices for poodle grooming in rubles:

Prices for poodle grooming may vary depending on the region, the level of grooming and the professionalism of the groomer.