Why Are Show Poodles Clipped the Way They Are?

Poodles ranked in the top 10 most popular dogs in 2010, according to the American Kennel Club Dog Registration Statistics. Poodles were first bred in Germany as water retrievers and the breed has received recognition from the American Kennel Club since 1887. Poodles are well-known for their elegance and creative hair styles. Show poodles have specific clipping requirements, but these hair styles don't only perform an aesthetic role.

  1. Poodle Hair

    • Poodles have curly hair with a harsh texture and they shed less than other breeds. They are considered hypoallergenic, meaning they are less likely to cause suffering in individuals who are allergic to canines. Purebred poodles come in solid colors including black, white, gray or apricot. The breed requires regular grooming and the hair grows continually, so it needs to be clipped. Several clipping styles are common for poodles, including the English saddle, continental, sporting, Dutch, bikini, kennel or puppy clip, but only a few clips are acceptable in dog shows.

    Reasons for Poodle Show Cut

    • The German hunters who initially bred poodles as water retrievers in the 17th century used to clip the hair short on the body to facilitate the dog's movement through water. However, the hunters left the hair long over the chest and the head to keep the vital organs warm, while the bracelets of ankle hair protected the joints. The topknot kept the hair out of the eyes during swimming. Even if the dogs are mostly house dogs and they are no longer used for hunting purposes, the cut has been maintained because it is practical, allowing the owner to maintain the coat clean and untangled with minimal effort. The hairs poodles shed tend to tangle and form unappealing rope-like cords. The English saddle and continental cuts accepted today in competitions are variations of the poodle cut from the 17th century, and besides being practical, they also emphasize the dog's shape, balance and features.

    Poodle Show Cuts

    • The accepted cuts in dog shows for adult poodles are the English saddle and the continental clip. The English saddle clip involves shaving the face, throat, feet, front legs and leaving a bit of hair on the forelegs and the end of the tail. On the hindquarters, the hair is clipped short and groomers typically shave a curve on each flank and two bands on the back legs. The rest of the fur is left long. The continental cut is similar to the English saddle and it involves shaving the same areas, but in addition, the hindquarters are also shaved completely, leaving only a pom-pom on each hip. The rest of the body is covered in long fur, which may be styled for balance. The sporting clip is acceptable in classes such as the ̶0;Stud dog̶1; or the ̶0;Brood bitch.̶1;

    Cuts for Show Puppies

    • For show puppies younger than 12 months, you can choose any of the recommended styles for adults or you can opt for the puppy clip. The clip involves shaving the face, throat and feet and leaving the rest of the coat long. The tail is styled by shaving its base and leaving a pom-pom to decorate the end of the tail.