How to Groom a Poodle's Face

Poodles are the most recognizable breed of dog in the world, not only for their body shape but also for the beautiful styles in which their hair is clipped. These styles can range from the simple "Puppy Clip" to the exotic "English Saddle Clip." Although it is best to have a professional groomer care for and style your poodle, you will need to maintain the clip style between visits. Grooming your poodle's face takes patience, firmness, and care.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog clippers
  • Round-ended scissors
  • Pin brush
  • Metal comb
  • Cotton balls
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Instructions

    • 1

      Plan to clip your poodle's face during your regular bathing and grooming regimen. Bathe and dry the dog, making sure you have thoroughly rinsed off all shampoo.

    • 2
      A metal comb is an essential tool for grooming your poodle.

      Using the metal comb, comb through the dog's hair all over the body, following with the pin brush. Work from the head down toward the tail. The clip style you prefer will determine how much hair is left on the face. It is always a good idea to clip the dog's face before the rest of the body.

    • 3
      Use a short blade when clipping your dog's face.

      Hold the dog's face with one hand as you use the clippers to trim the facial hair. Keep a slight tension on the skin as you clip, to avoid pinching. Work against the grain of the hair unless the dog has sensitive skin, in which case a longer blade should be used along the grain of the hair.

    • 4

      Using a short blade, begin clipping at the highest point of the ear and work down toward the outer corner of the eye. When working near the eye, be sure to remove small hairs near the eye itself, as these can curl upward into the eye, causing irritation. If the dog balks at the noisy clipper near its eye, use the round-ended scissors instead.

    • 5

      Continue clipping downward in a straight line toward the neck, stopping at the point where the style of clip allows the hair to remain long. Now work upward, clipping the hair along the neck and throat, continuing to include the bottom of the muzzle. Clip the mouth area by pulling the skin taut and clipping toward the nose.

    • 6

      Clip the top side of the muzzle beginning near the inside corner of the eye and working downward toward the nose. Keep the skin taut at all times to avoid pinching or cutting.