What Hairstyles Can a Standard Poodle Have?

Standard poodles are noteworthy for loyalty, intelligence and the signature haircuts the breed is often given. Poodles competing in American Kennel Club (AKC)-sanctioned dog shows, such as the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, are required to have certain styles of cuts, depending on their age. Many standard poodle owners have their dogs groomed in the same manner, even if they don't show their dogs. There are a number of haircuts, both show dog-style and pet-style, that can be worn by your standard poodle.

  1. Puppy Clip

    • The puppy clip is the basic clip that standard poodles between age six months and one-year are given to compete in AKC-sanctioned shows. The dog's feet, base of the tail and face are closely shaved. The standard poodle puppy's remaining coat is left long, shaped in a manner to closely match the dog's form. The tail is shaped into a ball on the end. The topknot on the top of the head is left long and pulled into a ponytail.

    Continental Clips

    • The Continental Clip is the most common cut used for standard poodles competing in dog shows. The standard poodle's face is completely shaved from the cheekbones on down to the front of the neck. The feet are completely shaved as are the dog's legs, except for the joints just above the feet (called the "poms"), which are shaped into a ball. The hips are shaved except for round balls (called "rosettes") that rest just above the hip joints. The tail and top knot are shaped similarly to the Puppy Cut. A Modified Continental Clip is the same as the regular Continental Clip, except that the hips are completely shaven.

    Kennel and Lamb Clips

    • The Kennel Clip (also known as a Utility Clip) is used for standard poodles that do not compete in AKC-sanctioned dog shows. The base of the tail, feet and face are shaved similarly to the Puppy Clip, while the body and legs are cut to the same length all the way around with electric dog hair clippers, then scissors are used to create the final shape. The tail is cut the same way as the other cuts, but the head is cut just slightly longer than the body. The Lamb Clip is similar to the Kennel Clip, but the legs and head are left somewhat fluffier, since a longer clipper-gate attachment is used on the shears.

    Other Pet Clips

    • Other clips that can be used for a standard poodle include the Summer, Miami or Bikini Cut, which has its basis in the Kennel Clip. However, the poms are left furry and shaped into a ball, similar to the show cuts. The hair on the body is cut to the same length all the way around and hair on the head is just slightly longer. The Town and Country Clip is a more detailed cut. The hair is cut similarly to a Kennel Clip, but the neck is completely shaven on the front. The poodle's midsection, starting at the ribs to the hips, is shaved using the smallest clipper-gate attachment, leaving the hair approximately 1/2-inch longer than the face, feet and base of the tail.