Hairstyles for Poodles

Our modern fascination with poodles is an echo of former times. Poodles appear on ancient Greek and Roman coins as far back as 30 A.D. Pictographs depicting poodles also appear on the tombs of ancient Egyptian royalty, telling us that poodles have been prized for thousands of years. One of the most appealing things about poodles is that their hair can be styled in so many different ways.

  1. Continental Clip

    • The Continental Clip is a traditional poodle hairstyle, often seen on show dogs. In the Continental Clip the poodle's face, throat, feet and hindquarters are shaved, along with part of the tail. The remaining hair on the tail, ankles and hips is fluffed into pom-poms.

    English Saddle Clip

    • The English Saddle Clip is similar to the Continental Clip, but the hair is left full from the poodle's waist up to its head. The front legs are shaved except for a pom-pom at the ankles, and the hair on the back legs is shaped into three large pom-poms that nearly meet each other.

    Utility Clip

    • The Utility Clip (also called the Kennel Clip) is a standard cut for poodles who are not appearing in dog shows. In the Utility Clip the face, feet and base of the tail are all shaved closely, but the rest of the poodle's coat is clipped with scissors at a fairly short length.

    Lamb Clip

    • The Lamb Clip is a variation of the Utility Clip. The hair on the legs is left fluffy, but the face, feet and tail are still shaved. A pom-pom is usually left at the end of the tail. The overall length of hair is generally longer for the Lamb Clip than for the Utility Clip, but this is a matter of preference.

    Town and Country Clip

    • The Town and Country Clip is an elegant cut for a poodle who lives in cold weather or needs a slightly more sophisticated option than the Utility Clip. In the Town and Country Clip the face, neck, tail base and feet are shaved, along with a wide band around the belly. Narrow lines are shaved between the withers along the spine, and the rest of the coat is left fluffy.