How to Cut a Shaggy Dog's Hair

Some dogs have hair that does not shed and grows constantly. These dogs, such as Old English Sheepdogs and poodles, need regular grooming to keep their coats from getting out of hand. Without regular grooming, their hair can obstruct their vision or trip them up, provide a home for fleas and ticks, become matted and irritating to their skin, and catch dirt and other unhygienic items. Since taking your shaggy dog to the groomer on a monthly basis might get expensive, there are ways to maintain its coat between less frequent visits to a professional.

Things You'll Need

  • Water source
  • Grooming table or substitute flat surface
  • Electric pet shaver
  • Metal comb or dematting rake
  • Grooming scissors
  • Styptic powder or pencil
  • Hair dryer
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Wet your dog down. Hair has increased elasticity when it̵7;s wet and is easier to manage when cutting it. If you are going to shampoo and/or condition your dog's fur, this is the time to do it, then rinse the dog off.

    • 2

      Brush your dog, using a metal comb or the dematting rake. Trim out any mats using the scissors, then comb again.

    • 3

      Clip the dog's fur around the undercarriage using a smaller blade. Clip under the arms, the belly and the genital area beneath the tail.

    • 4

      Use a larger blade to clip the legs and the back of the dog.

    • 5

      Use the smaller blade again to clip around the face and the ears. The comb can guide the blade for extra safety.

    • 6

      Brush the dog with the comb or the rake.

    • 7

      Blow dry the dog's hair.

    • 8

      Touch up any uneven patches with the scissors. The haircut you choose might depend on the breed of dog, or the function you want it to have. For example, show dogs usually have specific breed-specific cuts, while pet dogs often require a shorter utility cut to prevent mess or tangling.