The Poodle is undoubtedly the most versatile dog when it comes to grooming: its continuously growing, curly coat without undercoat makes it the favorite model for groomers and industry professionals.
The curls don't easily turn into knots as with other breeds, and Poodles don't need to be brushed every day, just a couple of times a week.
But what are the haircuts for Standard and Miniature Poodles, how to recognize them, and which one to choose? Here we offer you some ideas and descriptions of the most beautiful and popular cuts, along with some extravagance.
What are the ideal haircuts for Poodles?
The preferred haircuts for Poodles are as follows:
Puppy Cut
Teddy Bear Cut (Korean Cut)
Summer Cut
Town and Country Cut
Lion Cut
English Cut
Cupcake Cut
Dutch Cut
Modern Cut
Short Cut
Corded Cut
Generally, the more elaborate types of cuts are reserved for the Standard Poodles (for example, the Lion Cut or the English Cut), while for Toy and Miniature Poodles, more practical cuts like the Puppy Cut or Town & Country are often chosen.
Puppy Cut (or Puppy Trim)
The coat of a Poodle is smooth at birth, and doesn't settle into its classic curl until about 6 months of age. The final haircut should, therefore, be done upon reaching 6 months.
The current trend is to bring forward the date of the first grooming, which today is done around 3 months.
Since the coat has not yet reached its final texture and nature, for the puppy, a uniform, simple, and brushed cut is chosen, which does not emphasize the curl.
This cut is often maintained even when the dog is adult, and it is the typical grooming done to Goldendoodles, whose fur is often a mix between straight and curly.
Teddy Bear Cut (or Korean Cut)
This haircut is less common for Poodles, while it is a real must for the Bichon Frisé.
The Poodle's coat is kept short and brushed on the legs and body, while the head is given a round shape, with the ear fur cut so short that they almost disappear into the dense, round mane.
The dog's eyes are accentuated to give it a lively look, and this styling is inspired by teddy bear plush toys.
It’s an impactful cut often seen in videos and reels of Asian dogs, while in Italy, a more classic cut is preferred. The teddy bear grooming for Poodles is instead the classic cut of the Bichon Frisé.
Summer Cut
Practicality comes first, especially for a Poodle that lives in the countryside and often gets dirty and wet.
When summer arrives, many owners prefer to opt for a short cut (be careful, short does not mean shaved to the skin!), which allows for quick washing and drying of the dog.
The ears are either left long or trimmed just slightly, while the rest of the body and legs are shortened.
Town & Country Cut (city and country)
This is a rather basic cut, where the fur on the dog's body is kept fairly short, while the legs are emphasized by leaving the hair longer and fluffier.
The head is well brushed and fluffy with a nice, thick tuft; the ears are long and well-groomed.
The cut itself is practical especially if the dog stays mainly in the city. As for the countryside... let's say a bit less so, considering that the legs are the first part of the dog to get dirty.
Lion Cut
It's the classic, somewhat dated cut, featuring half of the body shaved, the upper part of the legs shaved, and a pom-pom tail.
In Toy and Miniature Poodles, this cut has almost disappeared, while in Standard Poodles, it is seen only in some show specimens.
It’s a difficult cut to maintain (Poodles' fur grows quickly!) and as you might already know, a complete shave is not advisable as the dog could suffer from cold in the winter and sunburn in the summer.
English Cut
It's quite similar to the Lion Cut, but in the English Cut, the rear part of the body is not completely shaved; it is trimmed to create two levels of volume on the body.
The dog thus appears fluffy in the chest area, while the rear part tapers and ends with a beautiful pom-pom tail.
The front legs have a single pom-pom like in the Lion Cut, while the hind legs have two.
This type of grooming for the Poodle is not very common either and is reserved for the standard size, primarily only for show dogs.
Cupcake Cut
This haircut is a variant of the Teddy Bear Cut, but in this case, the ears are fluffed up to give them a distinctive round appearance that stands out from the rest of the head.
The shape of the head is thus round, with these large side ears (rather short but well fluffed).
Among Poodle hairstyles, it is one of the less common ones, probably because the fluffy appearance of the ears is difficult to maintain once professional grooming is done.
Dutch Cut
It's a neat and uniform haircut, with the fur trimmed evenly across the entire body of the animal.
The only variation is the pom-pom tail that stands out distinctly. The fur on the ears, unlike the coat, is kept long and groomed.
It's a very popular cut among groomers and in dog shows, not only because it's practical but also because it allows for a clear appreciation and judgment of the dog's shape.
Modern Cut
It's a haircut designed to enhance the dog's shape and give it a natural look, reminiscent of a lion but without the exaggerations of the Lion and English cuts.
The fur on the body is longer than in the Dutch variant, the head is thick, and the ears are long and dense.
The tail forms a well-fluffed and thick ball to give more balance to the dog's appearance. It's a cut that suits the Standard Poodle very well.
Short Cut
Among the various haircuts, this is certainly the simplest to perform and maintain.
This type of grooming involves a uniform clipper shave over the entire body, and the ears are also kept short with the tail left natural.
Animals are thus free to run around and get wet as they like, without subjecting their owners to continuous washing and brushing sessions after each outing.
It is definitely the preferred styling for those living in the countryside, or for those who have dogs with easy access to water.
Corded Cut
If you've probably seen all the other cuts in person, this one might be new to you: it's extremely rare and very challenging to achieve.
The Poodle's curls need to be left to grow and then transformed into dreadlocks (those kind of braids typical of Rastafarian hairstyles), giving the dog a truly original appearance.
While being an incredibly striking grooming style, it is very impractical: the long fur can complicate the dog's movements and can make even simple actions difficult.
Not to mention when the poor animal gets dirty, and needs to be washed without compromising the hold of the cords.
Should I choose the cut based on the Poodle's size?
As you already know, Poodles have well-defined breed standards, and there are 4 different sizes:
Toy Poodle
Miniature Poodle
Medium Poodle
Standard Poodle
Despite the different sizes, all dimensions are the same in appearance and character, and can be groomed with the preferred cut indistinctly.
What are the benefits of grooming a Poodle?
The benefits are evident:
The fur is easily brushable
It appears healthy and strong
Has a shiny and natural look
Is neither greasy nor dry
Does not have knots or matted fur
Protects the natural color of the coat
What happens if a Poodle is not groomed?
When a Poodle's fur is neglected for a long time, there's a risk of not being able to salvage the length, ending up with a dog shaved to the skin.
But if the dog's appearance is not your concern, know that the dense and curly fur of Poodles is the ideal receptacle for dirt and parasites like fleas, and a perfect environment for the development of dermatitis or other skin problems.
But not only that: as this study explains, it can cause much more serious diseases that you'll surely want to avoid!
Can I groom my Poodle at home?
While it is true that Poodle grooming can be done at home, maintaining the fur of this breed requires considerable experience, especially if you want a teddy bear or a specific cut.
Poodle fur needs to be managed correctly, and it takes a lot of patience with the dog, which is why, if you're not sure of doing a decent job, it's better to leave it to an experienced groomer.
However, if you still want to try, read our guide on Grooming Poodles and Poodles for a show dog look.
How can I maintain my Poodle's fur?
Regardless of which of the various cuts is chosen, what is important is to keep the dog's coat in perfect health.
The dog should be washed when necessary, not every day or every week, so as not to damage the natural oils of the skin.
The bath should be done with specific products for these animals and not with human ones, which could be harmful to the coat and have a wrong PH.
And the hair should be cut at most every two months, as all knots must be removed and it must be ensured that the dog's epidermis is healthy and free of parasites.
Also, ensure that your Poodle's diet is rich in vitamins and minerals, particularly Omega 3, a valuable aid for the beauty of the coat and the health of the skin.
Other articles that might interest you
23 small Poodle mixes that steal your heart
Do you really know everything about Poodles? 23 answers to your questions
Why choose a Poodle? 13 reasons that make it popular
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