Caring for a poodle, cutting a toy poodle, grooming a poodle, video tutorials on cutting a poodle
On this page we will try to show the basics of caring for a poodle. People ask us a lot of questions, we will try to answer them.
A poodle is washed depending on the structure of its coat, its dirtiness, and the presence of tangles on the animal's coat. Washing once a week can be considered ideal. If the need arises, then more often... there are very clean individuals, with very good hair that is not prone to forming tangles... sometimes such dogs do not cause trouble in caring for their coat up to once a month..
The poodle is washed in the bathroom with warm water and good shampoo!! All kinds of inexpensive zoo shampoos are categorically NOT SUITABLE!! They will ruin the coat, it will fall off like felt boots, the dog will smell bad, get dirty quickly... There are good professional shampoos for dogs and some of them are quite suitable for caring for a poodle... of these, we will point out the shampoos of the "Milord" and "Spa Lavish" series If there are none, then use my good human shampoo, such as Pantin pro vi extra volume, Glis chicken for colored hair..
The washing itself proceeds in the following simple way:
The dog is wetted with water, showered with shampoo diluted with water (not thick), thoroughly rub the shampoo into the hair everywhere and then rinse.. Then repeat the procedure again.. lather with shampoo at least twice to ensure thorough washing and cleansing of the animal’s coat.. After shampoo I recommend using conditioner.. apply the conditioner, hold it in a little, and wash it off..
I repeat - shampoo at least twice, and then condition.
We get the animal wet, wrap it in a towel, pick it up and enjoy the angelic appearance of our poodle!!)))))
After five minutes, when the towel has absorbed almost all the water, you can start combing the poodle's wet fur! This is done in order to sort out tangles if there are any.. it is much easier to do this on wet wool... At this point, it becomes necessary to use additional products to make combing easier - they are also sold in cosmetics stores (professional spray for grooming dogs or human gel chickens for easy combing)
To comb wet wool, use a slicker brush with a good rubber handle... comb up, down, in different directions, carefully sorting the wool into strands..
Having combed the wool well, we begin to blow with a hairdryer at the same time as combing it with a massager, trying to straighten the curls when drying, make the hair straight, and pull the hairs under the hairdryer using a massager or slicker.
Little by little, the coat dries out and becomes straight... if you don’t pull it back, the coat will dry out in curls, cords, strands... the dog will look completely different, and then the coat will most likely tangle faster..
In this photo we can already see a dried poodle, but now we still need to comb it with a sparse comb to lift the fur..
So, in principle, we are done with washing and drying.. it’s time to move on to the haircut.. the haircut shown below is called the Scandinavian Lion, home version.. Before actually cutting, you need to estimate the boundaries of the vest, the transition point, and all that.. On our model the visible traces of the previous haircut.. one third is usually considered the limit, but here everyone has their own preferences!!
The haircut starts from the back, we do the back, butt, hips...
after drawing the lines, we go through all the necessary places with bent scissors, smoothing the silhouette, giving completeness
it turns out something like this
Leave the back part and move on to the chest.. Create the front border of the chest..
cut off excess hair from the sides of the neck to highlight it..
at this stage we already have the lines of the back and front of the chest... comb the vest and start shaping it
we smooth out the lines with bent scissors, form the front legs in the shape of pipes..
We finish giving the vest the shape we need.. and we get this result..
our semi-finished product is ready, we need to apply a little gloss on the uneven areas.. finish the hind legs.. remove the remaining defects.. this can be done ad infinitum))))))
NEXT we will do what should have been done BEFORE the haircut!! Before the haircut, we had to shave the dog’s fingers, belly, tail, face, and make top notes... well, no problem, we’ll do it now..
Now we shave the muzzle.. from the edge of the ear to the nose.. and throat..
Now the toes.. clean the toes, the hair between the toes and on the underside of the paw..
We also shave the tail and belly, private parts...
Don't forget to trim your toenails
Sometimes, when cutting the claws, we cut a vessel, and blood comes out... we don’t worry, but we cauterize it with a cotton swab with potassium permanganate crystals... the blood stops instantly.
And finally our dog is washed, trimmed, and put to bed... nice to see)))
(they forgot about the tail...))) in general, the tail needs to be combed and neatly arranged in a circle... alas, I can no longer show it. however, a home haircut differs from an exhibition one in that you can forget about something)))) and that’s okay)))
Here are the tools we used...
Grooming of a small, medium, royal poodle
...harmonious build, proud posture, but also in the fact that he sparkles with fun, is active, smart, playful and has a sweet, open character. He is both modest and elegant; Since the poodle's ancestors include guard dogs, hunting dogs, and herding dogs, its abilities are multifaceted. This sometimes explains the unusual, seemingly innate, habits of a poodle, such as, for example, suddenly meeting you at the door with a newspaper in its teeth or carrying a bag of shopping after you. They say that there was a poodle that walked up to the stall windows on its hind legs with a basket on one of its front legs, and with the other front it knocked on the glass, begging for alms. Thanks to its intelligence, willingness to perform any tricks and flexibility in training, it became a favorite breed in the royal courts. And even now in some circuses you can find this four-legged “artist” poodle, enthusiastically entertaining the audience. The Poodle is extremely adaptable to any situation and can still be used as an excellent working breed or as a spoiled pet.
In ancient paintings and engravings, the poodle is depicted both hunting and entertaining gentlemen with a “lion-like” hairstyle, which is said to have been invented by Marie Antoinette. Other engravings show the "cardboard" poodle's haircut. A skillfully executed haircut attracts the attention of both experts and the unsophisticated public. This is the most popular ring at shows.
And just like in the Airedale terrier ring, in the poodle ring, among other things being equal, a well-trained, well-groomed and appropriately presented poodle often wins. Now let's see how to emphasize what is beautiful in itself, how to add charm to the poodle, which is so natural and at ease, like none of its fellow tribesmen, wears such extravagant hairstyles thanks to its coat and has such a graceful stance.
Grooming a poodle is a creative and time-consuming process. Both professionals and amateurs choose this breed for many reasons. Firstly, poodles do not have an undercoat, which, unlike other breeds, allows them to be washed more often, they do not shed, and this is especially attractive when keeping them in an apartment; secondly, the perfection of form is achieved by cutting a haircut, which is akin to the art of a sculptor, and every owner feels like that, even just watching the work of a hairdresser who, using ordinary scissors, cutting off all that is unnecessary, makes a beautiful sculpture. And thirdly, despite the fact that poodles have not “worked” for many generations, they have perfectly retained their basic working qualities and can be used for any function.
In the UK, USA, Japan and Scandinavian countries, only three types of poodles are recognized: large (or royal), toy and miniature. In Italy there are four competitions: large, medium, dwarf (below 37 centimeters at the withers) and miniature (approximately 25 centimeters). As for the hair, its morphological characteristics and colors (5 colors, and always solid and monochromatic) are the same in all subspecies of this breed. The main haircuts that are now recognized at exhibitions are the “lion” haircut with its variety “with sleeves and in “pants” and the “60s”, also called “modern” or “hunting”. But at international exhibitions they also accept for evaluation poodles whose haircut is “Anglo-Saxon” or “English saddle”. But you still need to keep in mind that from all the equally beautiful representatives, the judges will choose the one with the perfectly executed, fluffy and elaborate hairstyle “like a lion.”
Let's take a closer look at how you can prepare your pet for the haircut procedure and the features of the haircut itself. Grooming poodles begins with washing and combing. Combing before washing. After this, they are combed again with rare and frequent combs. When washing, water often gets into the ears, and this can cause otitis (ear inflammation). To prevent this from happening, soak a piece of cotton wool in Vaseline and place it in your ears.
Now you need to thoroughly lather twice with a good shampoo diluted in water, and then rinse thoroughly with warm water. After washing, allowing your pet to shake himself off several times, remove the cotton swabs from his ears and wrap him in a large warm towel or sheet. After some time, when the water is absorbed, it is completely dried with a hairdryer. This procedure begins with those parts where the hair is shortest. Using a comb or massage brush, lift a strand of wool and direct a stream of warm air under it. When drying, comb against the grain until completely dry to avoid the formation of unnecessary curls. Your dog is ready for the “grooming” procedure. In the classic lion hairstyle, the hair on the hind legs is completely removed, starting from the hock joint upward on the inner and outer thighs, croup, groin and 1/3 of the tail at its base, and the muzzle, cheeks and 2/ 3 throats oval or V-shaped to the ears. On the upper lip, you can leave a mustache wedge 1 centimeter long at the nose and tapering off to the corners of the lips. On the front legs, the forearms are trimmed down to the wrist. It is also necessary to carefully trim the front and rear legs, both on top and between the toes.
Pompoms are left on the wrist of the forelimbs and at the hock joint of the hind limbs and on the tail, which should be the same size and have a round or cylindrical shape. 1/3 of the diameter of the ball or the height of the cylinder should be above the joint, 2/3 - below it. The edge of the completely cut part on the body should form a light diagonal, which runs along the upper edge of the lumbar region, kidney area, groin and goes down the last rib of the chest to the stomach. This way the groin and belly remain completely trimmed. Above this line she is wearing a fluffy vest. It is shaped only with scissors. In the book “About Our Pets” it is recommended to cut the vest as follows: “The wool of the edge of the vest is combed back and cut in a semicircle, rising obliquely to the top. When viewed from the side, the edge should be straight, not beveled back. Then the vest is cut obliquely, rising to the back of the head, to the highest point of the crown.
The underline is also cut in a circular arc over the forelegs to the beginning of the sternum. There is a critical point at the elbow joint. Here you need to carefully comb until this hole is closed. Then the limb is cut upward towards the vest, slightly rounding the line so that there is no unevenness. The oval of the chest should be clearly visible from the back and front. The hair on the front of the chest is cut in an arc, rising upward, slightly shortening it towards the beginning of the body. At the same time, it is necessary to maintain proportions so as not to make the chest too flat or too convex. Then the hair between the forelimbs is combed and cut straight. In a classic haircut, there are two options for a crown: a/ a regular cut shape; b/ a cap shape. What suits whom, but the choice of crown does not affect the exhibition rating if the poodle's haircut is well done.
Comb the crown again before trimming. With the first option, start cutting in a semicircle from the part above the eyes to the highest point of the crown. Then a clipper cut from the outer corner of the eye to the ears. Under no circumstances should you cut in a straight line from the outer corner of the eye to the ears. In the second option, the hair above the ears is not trimmed and is combed towards the ears. At the same time, the fur of the crown and ears to the outer corners of the eyes covers the poodle’s muzzle...
Tips for novice owners. Types of poodle haircuts.
You may also be interested in:
Poodle owners and breeders know well that the haircut is what makes a poodle a poodle! A poodle that has not been washed, combed or cut for a long time takes on the appearance of a shaggy brownie-bandit, which does not even look like a poodle at all. But a correctly done, beautiful haircut can completely change the entire appearance of your pet poodle, literally giving it a makeover! But, unfortunately, not every poodle owner is able to give their pet a beautiful haircut on their own, so many owners have to turn to a specialist groomer for help. (A groomer is a master of grooming dogs and cats) In order for your pet to always have a well-groomed and beautiful appearance, you will have to contact the groomer quite often. Well, at least once every 2.5-3 months, and if your poodle participates in exhibitions, then even more often. At what age should you start visiting a specialist groomer? Before your puppy visits the groomer for the first time, the puppy must be vaccinated (that is, give the puppy its first vaccinations), then wait 7-10 days of quarantine and then immediately sign up for the first grooming. So it turns out that the first visit to the groomer usually happens around the age of three months. You should not think that three months is too early an age to visit a groomer for the first time; on the contrary, if your puppy starts visiting a groomer at this age, then he will tolerate these procedures better and more calmly and will not experience stress when grooming.
But most often the puppy gets acquainted with the first hygienic haircut not even at the age of three months, but much earlier, even in the breeder’s house. Breeders give puppies their first hygienic haircut at the age of one month. To groom a poodle, you will need a special electric clipper (not all models of clippers are good at cutting dog hair, but there are those that cope with this task). A hygienic poodle grooming includes: shaving the muzzle, tips of the paws, also shaving the hair between the toes (pads) of the paws, shaving tummy, butt and base of the tail (a fluffy, lush tassel of wool is usually left at the end of the tail)
From my experience, I can say that it would be a good idea for any poodle owner to acquire a clipper and learn how to do at least the most minimal hygienic haircut himself, namely: shave your pet’s face, paws (partially, in the right places), tummy, butt and base of the tail. Thanks to such a hygienic haircut, your pet poodle will always have a beautiful and well-groomed appearance even between visits to the master groomer! I give my dogs a hygienic haircut quite often, about once every 2-3 weeks. Because I don’t like overgrown poodle faces and in general I like a poodle to look like a poodle, because, as I already wrote, a poodle’s beautiful and well-groomed coat is its real decoration! And the sight of a clean, fluffy, combed and beautifully trimmed poodle will rarely leave anyone indifferent! For example, I’ve even gotten used to the fact that on walks (especially after a visit to the master groomer, or even just after our next bath), passers-by, when they see my poodles, often compliment them and, I won’t hide, I’m pleased with that, yes and my poodles too, yes, yes, using the example of my dogs, I am more than once convinced that a beautiful and well-groomed poodle understands that he is beautiful and clearly enjoys it when people compliment him and admire his beauty!
Should you cut your hair yourself or leave it to a professional?
The “modern” haircut has a number of nuances that can cause difficulties when done at home, so it is recommended to seek help from a professional.
NOTE!
If the owner of the poodle has previously had experience in performing other haircuts or does not have the financial opportunity to visit a dog grooming specialist, then this procedure can be carried out independently, at home.
Should a poodle be cut?
Thick and wavy fur is both decorative and problematic. She has her own care requirements. During shedding, the hairs remain in the undercoat; without regular brushing, tangles form that will have to be cut out.
Poodle hairstyle is not a sign of luxury, but a necessity
A clipped poodle is a tribute to necessity, not to aesthetic considerations. At all times, haircuts have been used for various reasons:
- the clipped hair on the paws did not interfere with the dogs' swimming;
- the fur on the body protected from low temperatures;
- the pompom at the tip of the tail protected the skin from thorns and thorns;
- long hair on the muzzle covered the organs of vision from dirt and dust.
Modern requirements for haircuts have a different background:
- convenience, hygiene and comfort. Short bangs like a poodle's do not interfere with swimming, do not get into the eyes and do not spoil vision;
- well-groomed coat prevents the development of dermatological diseases;
- the animal will not be allowed to exhibit unless it is trimmed to the standards.
Important! The frequency of hairdressing procedures should not exceed once every 3-4 months. In the summer, the pet is cut more often than in the winter.
Types of haircuts with photos
Among the variety of hairstyles for a poodle, you can choose the most advantageous option. The result depends on the type of client and its size. Species suitable for royal breeds will look ridiculous on dwarf types.
Scandinavian lion
The hairstyle looks good on pets with uneven proportions. The fur is cut in a semicircle at the front, pompoms are created on the paws, and the top of the head is decorated with a cap.
For your information! A successfully performed procedure will help hide minor defects in the dog’s appearance.
Modern
A modern style poodle haircut involves a smooth transition from long to short hairs. The paws, throat, base of the tail and muzzle are trimmed as short as possible. The rest of the fur is shortened to 1 cm in length, a pompom is formed on the tail, and a cap is formed on the head.
Important! When cutting, the panties on the limbs must meet the standards, the feet must be clearly visible.
Anglo-Saxon
The model resembles a lion, but the back is cut shorter. Hairs 1.2 cm long are left in some areas:
The tail is shaped like a pompom, the muzzle and throat are completely trimmed.
Note! Particular attention is paid to the hind legs; if desired, bracelets are cut into them with a uniform shape.
Korean
It is performed like shearing a sheep, but it has its own characteristics. The hair clipped on the muzzle helps the dog look like a plush teddy. The paws, body and neck are treated with a device, the length of the hairs in all areas remains the same.
Important! The standard requires that the coat should not be shorter than 2.5 cm. The coat on the head may be longer than on the body, the transition between areas is imperceptible.
The disadvantages of this hairstyle include special care for the hair on the face. After each feeding, it needs to be cleaned and combed regularly.
Hygienic
The classic type is recommended for neglected animals. A hygienic haircut requires complete cutting of hair on all areas of the body. Under the tangled tangles there can be abrasions and skin damage, so the specialist is required to be very focused. Such procedures are carried out in extreme cases when there are no other options left.
How much does professional grooming cost?
The cost of a professional’s work depends on the type of poodle:
Classical | Scandinavian lion | Modern | Korean | English | |
Dwarf | 1800 rub. | 2400 rub. | 2350 rub. | 2500 rub. | 2500 rub. |
Small | 2100 rub. | 2500 rub. | 2400 rub. | 2600 rub. | 2650 rub. |
Royal | 2700 rub. | 3800 rub. | 2500 rub. | 3500 rub. | 2900 rub. |
Toy poodle | 1700 rub. | 2300 rub. | 2250 rub. | 2400 rub. | 2400 rub.* |
For your information! The price for a hairstyle may vary depending on the region of residence, the level of the hairdressing salon, and the professionalism of the hairdresser. When visiting a home, the cost increases.
Which machine to choose
How to trim a poodle's hair yourself? It is necessary to choose a special device for grooming dogs. The difference in devices depends on weight, durability, price, operating time without overheating, and ergonomics.
Note! If you have several dogs, it is better to buy a professional electric machine with an electric motor and gearbox. If the dog is alone, then the choice is a device with a vibration drive and rigidly fixed knives. The device should have a function for adjusting hair length 0.5-3 mm or 0.5-15 mm.
- German manufacturers - Moser, Aesculap;
- American brands - Wahl Clipper Corporation, Oster.
Before purchasing equipment, it is better to seek advice from professionals.
Basic rules for grooming poodles
How to perfectly trim a poodle at home:
- the dog must go to the procedure voluntarily;
- treatment of the face and abdomen is carried out with the utmost care;
- the pet is not turned in different directions, it must be walked around in a circle;
- cutting is done in the direction of hair growth, except for the front paws;
- The hairs between the fingers must be removed.
Important! After the procedure, the dog is washed and its claws are shortened. Dry while combing against the grain, adding volume with a comb.
How to cut a poodle like a Scandinavian lion
The procedure takes place in stages:
- The muzzle and neck are treated with an electric machine, the hair is cut as short as possible.
- The paws are cut from the bend along the hair growth to 1-2 cm.
- Using scissors, cut out the hair between the fingers.
- A device with a zero attachment is used to trim the femoral area, the lower part of the tail, and the groin area.
- Use scissors to make a pompom.
- The fur on the front legs is left no longer than 1 cm, and there are bracelets at the ends.
Important! The chest, head and back areas are cut only with scissors.
Korean haircut
The pet is washed, dried and placed on the table. The neck, paws and body are processed with an electric machine, leaving the hair the same length or cutting it in a flared shape with a smooth transition to the lower third of the limbs. The length of the hairs on the body should be more than 2.5 cm. Next they move to the muzzle.
How to properly trim a poodle's face? With scissors, leaving the area of the future mustache and beard.
Hygienic haircut
It is carried out according to the scheme:
- The hair is shaved from the ears to the cheeks with the device.
- Use scissors to shorten the hair around the eyes and mustache.
- The head is raised and the neck is cut.
- Move on to the paws: the upper section with an electric machine, the lower section with scissors to create pompoms.
- On the tail, the fur remains only at the tip.
- The coat on the chest, back and sides is shortened with a machine or scissors.
- Overgrown hairs between the fingers are removed.
Note! If the animal is neglected, the procedure is carried out only with a clipper to cut off the fur as much as possible.
Haircut rules
Even if you don’t attend exhibitions with your pet, you still need to cut your dog’s hair. An uncut poodle suffers from the heat; its soft, thick coat tends to get tangled and dirt gets stuck in it. At least once every two weeks, it is necessary to carry out a hygienic haircut. It involves trimming the hair on the face, belly, under the tail, around the genitals and between the toes.
After a haircut, the dog should be protected from drafts for several days and not bathed to avoid colds. Before hairdressing procedures, the dog needs to be combed, bathed, dried, and only then taken to the scissors.
It is better to entrust your dog's first haircut to a professional. By watching the master at work, you can understand the order of work. In the future, you can maintain the shape of the coat yourself at home.
Poodles are quite relaxed about having to sit still for long periods of time while they are being groomed. However, the puppy must be accustomed to the noise of the machine and other manipulations as early as possible. Young dogs up to 12 months of age are given a puppy haircut, which is a short shaving of the hair at the base of the tail, on the paws and face. On the rest of the body, the hair is trimmed evenly.
How to cut a dog's hair
Use electric or manual clippers with attachments, scissors of different shapes and sizes (with narrow blades, rounded and curved). In addition, you will need various combs: massage combs, wide-toothed combs, slicker brushes.
How to choose a machine
Dog clippers differ in a number of parameters: power, number of attachments, manufacturer. To groom 1-2 dogs at home, you don’t have to spend money on an expensive professional clipper. A simple model, not so powerful, will do. The machine comes with attachments that allow you to do any type of hairstyle. To remove hair from the face, they use manual (mechanical) machines, which allow you to remove hair little by little without the risk of injuring the animal.
Moser machines are popular among dog breeders and professional groomers. They are distinguished by their reliability and a wide range of models presented. You can buy a poodle clipper at pet supply stores or order it online.
How to properly comb a poodle
To comb, you need to select tools; the procedure requires:
- brushes with soft bristles. Poodles should not be scratched with a comb with white balls on the tips. This type tears the fur, causing pain in the dog;
- metal comb with blunt and rounded teeth. To check the safety, just run it over your hand: if scratches appear, then it is better to choose another option. The length of the teeth and the size of the comb depend on the variety of poodle and its size;
- spray or oil to untangle tangled strands. The final step is to go over the entire coat again with a long-toothed comb.
Note! Combing is carried out on the table, first the neck is treated, gradually moving to the stomach. All movements should be smooth, carried out against the growth of the fur from the very roots.
Manipulations are required weekly; if a tangle is detected, it is removed with a comb or hands.
Professionals do not recommend getting carried away with self-care. Improper machine cutting can cause disturbances in the structure of the coat and increase its susceptibility to moisture. The problem with the changes is the appearance of bald patches and the development of dermatological diseases. A neatly groomed poodle is the pride of the owners and part of the victory at the exhibition.
*Prices in the article are as of November 2021.
Grooming a poodle at home
The Poodle is a great family dog. He is often chosen for his intelligence and friendliness. He does not require special living conditions and an ordinary city apartment is fine for him. The poodle is known to everyone for its unimaginable haircuts, which are done mainly for performances. At home, caring for a poodle's coat can be very difficult, especially if you don't know how to do it.
Grooming a poodle is an important condition for keeping a dog of this breed. If you are not ready to spend time, money, and patience on grooming, choose a dog with a less demanding coat. Of course, the best option would be to regularly visit a professional groomer, however, if you are not going to take your pet to a show, you can try cutting your poodle's hair yourself. We offer you 10 simple steps to care for your poodle at home. It will turn out no worse than a professional.
Grooming a poodle at home consists of several stages:
First, collect everything you need for haircuts and care, namely:
- A clipper with sharp blades, preferably number 10. These blades, by the way, are suitable for cutting any breed of dog.
- Scissors also have sharp blades. Of course, hairdressers are best suited.
- Nail clippers.
- Shampoo.
- Hair dryer.
- Towel.
- Metal comb, brush.
- Ear powder (can be bought at a pet store) or just cotton swabs.
- Well, and most importantly - a poodle.
Place the dog on the table (this is your work area) and tie it with either a special collar or just a leash. Your task is to make the dog stand still, especially if this is his first haircut.
We cut the poodle's head and neck:
- Fold one ear back. Place your hand along the opposite side of the muzzle you are about to trim, keeping your hand steady. Start moving the clipper from the base of the folded ear in a straight line to the nose.
- Moving in the same direction, draw a straight line from the ear to the corner of the eye. Trim the fur, moving from the ear along the cheek, under the eye and above the eye, ending at the muzzle.
- Now lift the poodle's head up and clip his neck. If you wish, you can leave a little hair on the chin.
- We do the same on the other side.
Step-by-step instruction
To understand how to trim a domestic poodle, you must first read the appropriate instructions. If you do everything correctly, then in your own home you can give your dog a haircut that is in no way inferior to a professional one. Although the first time it may not come out very neatly. But constant practice will allow you to hone your movements and next time your hairstyle will definitely turn out perfect.
To work you will need the following tools:
- hair dryer, shampoo and towel, as well as cotton swabs;
- scissors;
- nail clippers;
- hair clipper;
- brush and metal comb.
During grooming, a puppy or an adult dog should stand still. This is the main condition for the formation of a high-quality hairstyle. It is best to secure your pet with a leash or a special collar.
First, the animal should be bathed and dried. After this, carefully comb his fur with a brush and a metal comb so that all tangles are broken. Now you can proceed directly to cutting.
Head and neck
The ears are folded back, and the muzzle is taken in the hands. The movements of the machine are performed from the base of the auricle and go along the cheek to the nose. The hand should move firmly. The fur is neatly trimmed around the eyes. Next, we lift the dog’s head up and cut the hair from the neck. You can leave some long hairs on your chin.
Paws
The paw is taken in the hand so that the thumb is on top. The hairs are cut with a clipper along the entire length of the limb. The fur between the toes is removed with a machine, and it can be trimmed with scissors.
Tail
On the tail, movements with the machine are made from the base to the end. A pompom is formed at the tip. Next, the hair is removed from the opposite side of the tail (it rises). The area between the hind legs is also treated.
Stomach
Raise the dog's front paws and move the clipper, starting from the navel and ending on the paws, reaching the thick fur. The wool is removed according to the chosen hairstyle pattern.
A proper haircut for any type of poodle will not only give the animal a beautiful and neat look, but also save on the services of a professional hairdresser.
How to cut a dog's hair yourself at home?
Having decided to cut a dog’s hair with his own hands, it is better for a novice master not to start the job alone, but to call an assistant. To make it convenient to work, you need to prepare the place and tools for grooming your pet in advance. You need to be prepared to spend money on their purchase. However, within a few months these expenses will pay for themselves, because the savings in money and time when grooming yourself are obvious.
Selection and preparation of a site
A table or any other horizontal surface is suitable for this procedure. The main thing is that the groomer should be comfortable and not have to stand on tiptoes to reach the dog, or, conversely, bend over or squat. The working surface is covered with a rubberized mat. This measure will protect the dog from slipping and allow him to stand on his paws more confidently. The room where the manipulation is planned to be performed must be well lit.
What tools are needed?
For work, it is recommended to purchase the following tools:
- Hair clipper. This device will allow you to prepare the base, removing as much excess volume as possible. You can’t do without it if you plan to have a short haircut.
- Hairdressing scissors with sharp blades, necessary for final processing and giving the required shape.
- Comb and brush. When purchasing, it is recommended to give preference to metal ones rather than plastic ones.
- Tangle cutter , used to remove hairballs that cannot be untangled by hand.
- Claw cutter. This is an indispensable tool for hygienic poodle grooming.
Rules for hygienic poodle grooming
During the work process, a number of rules are followed:
- The dog must be in one position. It cannot be rotated during the procedure. An exception is the treatment of the abdomen, which is performed by placing the dog on its hind legs and holding it by the front legs.
- The hair should be cut in the direction of hair growth. Only the lower part of the limbs is trimmed against the grain.
- It is recommended to make movements with the machine and scissors parallel to the treated area, repeating the anatomical curves of the poodle’s body. If it is necessary to shorten the fur at the fold, the skin in this area should be tightened.
- It is necessary to remove the fur not in one movement, but in several stages, otherwise you can injure the dog.
- It is recommended to cut your dog's hair only after washing, drying and combing.
The procedure for hygienic grooming of a pet:
- The dog's face is shaved with a clipper: the back of the nose from the line between the inner corners of the eyes to the lobes, under the eyes and on the sides in the same direction. Then the cheekbones are shaved from the upper corner of the ear to the outer corner of the eye, the lower part of the muzzle and the neck to the protruding sternum.
- The hairs inside the ears are carefully shaved with a clipper or cut with scissors.
- The belly is shaved from the navel to the genitals, which are also shaved.
- The hair around the anus and on the tail is shaved to about 3 cm.
- The paws are shaved from the outside a little above the place where the toes are separated, and the hair between them and from the inside is also removed.
- Finally, the claws are trimmed with a nail clipper.
Popular styles
Before grooming at home, bathe your pet using dog shampoo.
Then you need to lightly dry the fur with a hairdryer, but if the dog reacts negatively to the device, then limit yourself to towel drying.
Using a wide-tooth comb, comb the coat with gentle movements, untangling the tangles with your hands.
Then you can do a hygienic haircut, shortening the fur on the face, tummy, groin area, at the base of the paws and tail.
At the preparatory stage, we limited ourselves to scissors, but for a model hairstyle you will need a machine with a 1 mm nozzle.
"A lion"
The most common style is a simplified version of the Continental.
To cut a dog's hair, take a clipper and shave:
- the muzzle, capturing the cheeks and neck with a triangle;
- hind limbs from the hock joint;
- croup, thighs and groin;
- the base of the ponytail.
- On the forelegs, the area of the forearms should be trimmed to the wrist.
The fur roll remains at the base of the front legs, on the tail and on the legs near the hocks.
Other areas are corrected using scissors to ensure a smooth surface. The dorsal line should not be too horizontal.
The chest area should be neither too flat nor too bulky.
"Anglo-Saxon"
This style is based on the classic “Lion”. The front part of the body is cut almost identical to the previous version, but the technique for doing the back part is different.
Take a clipper and cut off the hair on the face, throat and paws. The lower back, groin and croup should be trimmed so that 1-2 cm of length remains.
At the end of the ponytail, a pompom equal to two-thirds of the length is cut.
"English saddle"
This is a variation of the previous model with its own “highlights”. But here the areas of the forearms are also shaved.
Narrow strips are cut horizontally on the hind legs; they should be parallel to each other and located at a level of 2 cm below the knee and 2 cm above the knee.
The edge line of such cuts is rounded to make 3 circles - on the knee joint and under it, on the ischial tubercle.
The hair in these areas should be longer than on the back of the body.
"Modern"
This model is also called a “sheep-like” haircut.
We take the machine and shave the face, throat, limbs, belly and the base of the tail “to zero.”
“Whiskers” are left on the face, and the fur on the ears is not removed.
We cut a crown from the ears, rounded above the forehead. Smooth transition from the neck to the sides, back and legs. The area from the buttocks to the “pants” on the hind legs is especially smoothly aligned.
Keep the hair on the withers and croup short. There is no pompom on the paws, it is only present on the tail.
The legs are cut in the form of “pants”, widening towards the wrists. We cut off the fur between the fingers and pads.
"Pappy Clip"
This form of haircut was previously given to individuals under 15 months of age to compete in juvenile competitions. But now this version is also popular for adult dogs.
Only the muzzle is cut bald, and the fur on the rest of the body is slightly shortened.
There should be a clear line between “pants” and short feet.
The “pants” on the hind legs should be trimmed so that the characteristic joints of the breed are clearly visible.
The dog should have a neatly trimmed “helmet” on its head; it can be with or without bangs.
"American Lion"
This is the American version of the classic style. Most often, this hairstyle is suitable for a royal poodle.
The technique is based on the basic “lion” haircut, but the fur is not removed from the head; a kind of “tail” should be obtained.
In addition, two symmetrical “islands” in the form of hemispheres are made on the right and left sides of the spine in the sacral zone.
The diameter of such rounded figures can vary from 4 cm to 10 cm.
At home, you can give your pet a haircut no worse than at the hairdresser! Just stock up on knowledge, tools and patience!