How to Trim a French Poodle

The French poodle, an intelligent dog breed that comes in many sizes, has a coat that doesn't shed much. As a result, it requires high maintenance. In fact, dog owners must trim the coat often to manage the dog's corded coiffure. There are several trim styles, depending on whether the dog is a show dog or a family pet. In general, the clipping methods start with the face and end at the tail.

Things You'll Need

  • Brush
  • 2 Sets of clippers
  • Bowl of ice
  • Damp cloth
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set up the trimming area. Put a bowl of ice nearby so that you can prevent the clippers from overheating during the trimming process or put an extra set of clippers nearby so that you can switch from one to the other.

    • 2

      Brush out the poodle's coat from nose to hind paw to smoothen kinks or tangles.

    • 3

      Start the trim with the face. Pull back on the ears until the skin pulls tight. Turn on the clippers and trim from the ear toward the front, stopping slightly before the eyes. Repeat this process on the other side. Trim under the eye in an upward motion, all the while pulling the coat to provide tension.

    • 4

      Set the line for the neck. Move the dog's head gently to the side and hold it. Trim from the bottom of the jaw down the neck. Clean the neck and throat by moving the clippers from the line upward to the jaw.

    • 5

      Trim the mouth and jaw. Pull the skin gently toward the ear and trim from the back toward the nose. Pull the ear back and trim from the eye back to the ear and then clean up the area under the eye with an upward motion.

    • 6

      Clean the paw using a damp cloth and then gently hold it so your thumb is holding the top of the large pad to scoop it outward. Trim the fur on the sides of the large pad. Spread the toes and trim between the toes.

    • 7

      Move to the front and trim the top of the paw. Only trim to the joint of the foot. Trim from the back to the front.

    • 8

      Trim the tail. Pull the tail up and set the clippers against the tail. Trim from one side to the other and then let the tail fall naturally and repeat on the top. Trim to the pompom on the tail. Go back on the top and form a "V" shape from the tail, making a small line across and then trimming to fill in the shape from side to side.

    • 9

      Repeat the process once every six to eight weeks.