Poodle ... A beautiful, playful, smart and unusually elegant dog. And if the playfulness and quick wit of this breed is visible from the first minutes, then haircuts undoubtedly give beauty and elegance. A poodle needs to be cut regularly. Moreover, there are haircuts "home" (hygiene) and exhibition (official). The largest variety of haircuts can be seen, of course, at exhibitions. We will talk about three classic options later. And now - a little about the poodle's haircuts.
For some reason, the very word "home" alone makes us think that this is something simple and unpretentious. Simple - yes, unpretentious - yes, but at the same time it also adds elegance and, most importantly, helps maintain hygiene. It is important to remember: even a poodle’s home haircut must be neat, otherwise the animal will simply be disfigured, and only miserable remnants will remain of beauty.
Under the preparatory (or hygienic, home) haircut means cutting the muzzle, paws (tips), abdomen, the base of the host and, of course, the genitals. The best tool for such work is a poodle clipper. Sometimes breeders stop on ordinary typewriter machines. Dog haircuts after bathing, once a month. If you are new to this business, then leave this job to professional groomers. By observing their work, you will eventually learn to cut yourself.
But even if not a very experienced owner can handle a hygienic haircut, then a poodle show haircuts require real professionalism. Here, not only the appearance of even small tassels is unacceptable (and the poodle's hair is prone to their formation), but also the extra millimeters of wool (or even their lack).
For example, one of the most common exhibition haircuts called “Lion” suggests only long hair in the area of the withers and head, and this hair grows for months! Therefore, to accustom a dog to scissors, a typewriter and a comb, it is necessary in advance, from childhood, otherwise “beauty guidance” will cost very big nerves not only to you and the groomer, but also to the dog itself.
Now consider the main exhibition haircuts of poodles (see photos opposite the description).
"Scandinavian lion." Now there are already two options for this haircut. Changes are dictated by fashion, or rather, by fashion masters. Making out the hind legs of a poodle, it has recently been customary to strongly cut the hair from the back surface in order to show (emphasize) the angles of the hock joints.
Now, on the hips, the hair is practically not touched, except that they are trimmed a little. It should be noted that this type of haircut is the most common, because it helps to hide small errors in the structure of the dog and at the same time emphasizes the merits.
"Modern" (another name - "under the sheep") involves the complete removal of wool from the muzzle, cheeks, throat and paws. The abdomen is trimmed to the middle (a second pair of nipples in the females and a couple of centimeters from the genitals in the males), and the tail is a third at the base. Mustache on the face are left. Ears do not cut. The presence of a “crown” hanging over the eyes is mandatory. In the haircut, a gradual transition from the back to the panties, repeating the contours of the hind legs (they should be wide below) is very important. The tail is made in the form of a pompom. Paws with fingers are thoroughly cut (the expert should clearly see the dog's claws).
"Puppy haircut" is close to the "modern". But, since the hair has not grown enough, the mane is practically not cut. Admission to the ring with such a haircut is possible only up to 18 months.
There are many more haircuts, but not every expert recognizes them. The two described above are classic. They must be performed flawlessly, subject to the smallest details. Mixing styles, as well as a wrong haircut as a whole, can lead to temporary disqualification or leave the dog unrated.