Scissor Cuts for Labradoodles

There are a number of ways to groom labradoodles, but most commonly scissor cuts are used by pet owners and groomers to maintain the coat at a desired length. It is important for anyone undertaking the task of grooming a labradoodle to have an understanding of the breed's coat and the desire of the dog's owner as to the final look of the cut.

  1. Mats

    • Vitally important to the health of your labradoodle and to the ease of grooming is mat removal and maintenance. Labradoodles need to be brushed regularly -- ideally every day -- to keep their coat mat-free. Doing this will make the grooming much easier and will avoid having your dog completely shaved down -- rather than scissor cut -- to get rid of the mats.

    Before You Cut

    • Before undertaking a scissor cut, start off with some maintenance. First, brush the entire coat to make sure that all mats are removed. For stubborn mats, thin them with thinning shears or cut them with scissors. Once all mats are removed, begin cutting. If bathing is necessary, wait until all scissor cutting is complete as it can take a long time for labradoodles to completely dry.

    Scissor Cut

    • The desired length of the coat is up to the discretion of the owner. Many owners prefer a standard 2-inch cut, while others like to keep the coat long and just slightly trim it back. Some like to keep it long in winter and short in summer. When cutting, make sure to carefully trim around the eyes, muzzle and ears. The face should have a rounded look. To check proper ear length, pull the ear forward; the ends should be between the canines and the nose.

    Finishing the Cut

    • Carefully trim around the feet and toenails to create a rounded look. The rear end also requires careful trimming to keep the area clean. For the top of the head, cut it shorter toward the eyes and longer in the back for a natural look. For the rest of the body, trim to an even desired length -- such as 2 inches.