As a professional groomer for almost 10 years, there is often confusion about the various grooming methods available for each breed. You will be surprise after go through dog grooming styles by our trained dog groomers.
We thought about it until we finally realized that there had to be a place where we could show our clients all trims. This is the solution!
Below is a guide to the most basic styles that an owner could request. First, let’s talk briefly about each groom.
Kennel cut – This is a standard shave, leaving about a half inch or less of hair on the body. They are very fashionable and affordable.
Teddy Bear Trim – This is our most requested style. It makes your dog look like a cute teddy bear cub.
For a perfect finish, leave the hair at least 1/2 inch long. Then, use scissors to trim the hair. While teddy bears require a lot of care, they can still look great and be a good companion for your dog.
Breed Trim – Every breed has its own special trim and set of rules. These are modified show dog trims, which can be found below. They are meant for pet owners who have daily pets.
Full Coat/Show Trims Officially recognized breeds have their own specialty trims that adhere to strict show dog standards.
What Are The Basics of Dog Grooming?
Like humans, it’s important for our pets and dogs to have a healthy lifestyle. We want to make grooming fun for your dog by rewarding them with treats and starting slowly.
It is best to split the grooming process over several days if your dog is not used to it. Some grooming treatments may be less frequent.
We want you to have a wonderful experience with your pet.
You need to pay special attention to nail care, bathing, trimming nails, and brushing your hair.
How do I clip the nails of my puppy?
Walking with your dog every day and taking walks should keep your nails healthy and long.
Long nails can be a problem for dogs walking, and should be trimmed once per month.
Use dog nail scissors with love and respect. Position your dog so you can see the underside of each paw.
Cut the nail too short as it can cause the blood vessels to bleed. The blood vessel can be clearly seen in transparent nails or white nails.
You will see a small dot in black nails that is surrounded by white as you get closer to the blood vessel. Styptic Powder stops bleeding if nails are too short. However, if you feel uncomfortable, consult a professional. Nail grinding is a safe and effective way to shorten nails.
How do I brush my dog’s head?
Even Bulldogs with short hairs, all dogs can benefit from having their hair brushed. Brushing loose hairs and distributes natural oils throughout the hair to give it a shiny, healthy look.
Brushing should be done before you go to the bathroom. In some cases, it may not be necessary to wash your entire body.
A hair-grooming session can help to strengthen the bond between owners and dogs. It will also allow for trust and cooperation when using more difficult techniques like nail trimming.
You want to make sure that the dog’s brushing experience is pleasant and relaxing. Start slowly by patting the dog on the chest, shoulders, and sides. Then move onto other parts of the body.
After they are comfortable with handling different parts of their body, you can introduce them to brushes, combings, and other tools.
Dog Grooming Tips for Pet Owners
These dogs are the most difficult to keep and can be used as show dogs, retired show dogs or for owners who want their breed to be immediately recognizable.
Exotic This area is where groomers can get really, very creative (ever seen a poodle that was trimmed and colored to look just like a Zebra? These styles are not covered here but there are some very wild ones.
Dog Grooming Styles based on Dog Breed
Bichon Frise
Bichon kennel cuts leave about 1/2 inch of hair on the body. However, it leaves some length on the ears, face, and head.
You may notice some similarities between the grooms with very few differences.
The cut of the teddy bear is shorter around the eyes and the head is smaller. The show trim has specific angles around the legs, so be sure to look closely.
1. Bichon Kennel Cut
2. Bichon Teddy Bear
3. Bichon Breed Trim
4. Bichon Show Groom
Cockapoo Dog Grooming Styles
Cockapoos don’t have an official breed cut because they aren’t officially recognized by AKC. Instead, we have a short (kennel) and a long (teddy bear). A shorter trim usually means a shorter body, beard, and face.
1. Long Cockapoo
2. Short Cockapoo
Labradoodle Dog Grooming Styles
Labradoodles are not recognized as a breed by the AKC and CKC and therefore, do not qualify for show grooming. However, if therea show groom it would be the complete coat trim.
Kennel cuts have about 1/2 to 1 inch of hair, and a longer mustache. The hair of teddy bears is longer, especially on the legs and face. The Full Coat, which is exactly what you would expect, is their long, brushed coat.
1. Labradoodle Kennel Cut
2. Labradoodle Teddy Bear
3. Labradoodle Full Coat
Maltese Dog Grooming Styles
The typical Maltese groom looks like this: A kennel, which is about 1/2 inch shorter than the body, with short ears and a carefully trimmed face.
A Maltese teddy bear is approximately a 1/2″ (but not longer than 2 inches) long, with a longer head and ears. Their full coat is their fully grown hair, which they carefully brush out.
1. Maltese Kennel Cut
2. Maltese Teddy Bear
3. Maltese Full Coat
Shih Tzu Dog Grooming Styles
Shih Tzu trims look very similar to Maltese trimmings. Kennel cuts are approximately 1/2″ in length. Their ears are left long and trimmed to give them a “puppy” face. The face of a teddy bear is usually left longer than the body.
A breed trim is done long-term, but a skirt is taken out to prevent their hair from dragging on the floor. The show trim takes place on the floor and beyond.
1. Shih Tzu Kennel Cut
2. Shih Tzu Teddy Bear
3. Shih Tzu Breed Trim
4. Shih Tzu Show Groom
Schnauzer Dog Grooming Styles
Grooming Schnauzers is all about the gorgeous mustache and beautiful eye brows. Unless requested by the client, they are often left alone.
Kennel cuts (as usual) means that the face is left longer but the body is cut to a minimum of 1/2″. A breed trim leaves the legs and skirt longer.
Hand stripping show Schnauzers involves removing layers of hair in order to preserve the rough outer coat. Pet schnauzers have their hair cut. Show grooms should have long eye brows and a beard.
1. Schnauzer Kennel Cut
2. Shnauzer Breed Trim
3. Shnauzer Full Coat (show groom)
Poodle Dog Grooming Styles
The standard grooming style for Poodles is to leave the ears and legs longer. A “top knot” is left at the top of the head. A teddy bear has more length, while a dog in kennel trim is shorter.
A full coat, or “lamb trimming”, will be shown to puppies up to one year of age. Then the groomer will transition to a continental cut. We recommend a set of brushes as well as grooming scissors for all aspects of poodle grooming .
Learn more about Poodle Styles. Expert Groomer Explains Poodle Cuts
1. Toy Poodle Kennel Cut
2. Toy Poodle Teddy Bear
3. Toy Poodle Breed Trim (Continental)
4. Poodle Full Coat (Lamb Trim).
West Highland White Terrier Dog Grooming Styles
1. Westie Kennel Cut
2. Westie Kennel Cut
3. Westie Breed Trim (very short)
4. Westie Full Coat
Yorkshire Terrier Dog Grooming Styles
There are two types of Yorkie coats: silky and wire. The type of coat they have will determine what kind of trims you can get. A curly coat can’t get an outline or show groom, as they need straight hair.
1. Yorkie Kennel Cut
2. Yorkie Teddy Bear
3. Yorkie Breed Trim (Outline)
4. Yorkie Show Groom
How often should I bathe the dog?
Dogs may require a bath after being brushed. Dogs often need to be bathed to get rid of unpleasant odours or dirt.
A bath should be taken once per month if your dog enjoys frequent hair brushing. You can ask your vet if you dog would benefit from a longer bathing routine.
How do I wash my dog?
Make sure you have the right products and equipment to bathe your dog. Use a hypoallergenic shampoo that is made specifically for dogs. Never use a shampoo designed for humans!
To ensure that there are no reactions or irritations, test the product on a small area first. If your dog has special skin conditions, you should seek professional assistance. Hair can dry out if it is too washed.
You should also choose the right environment for washing your dog. Larger dogs might be better washed outdoors with a hose while smaller dogs can be washed in tubs.
Use a flexible spray attachment, a bucket and a ladle to clean the dog’s ears. The water will run down the drain just like a normal shower. You can then prepare your dog by covering its ear canals with cotton balls. This prevents any infection by preventing water from getting inside.
Start at the back of your dog and move towards the head. To rinse shampoo off, you can use a saline solution. Rinse well and rinse once more.
Dandruff and irritation can result from leftover shampoo. Allow them to dry with an absorbent towel. 
Use a hair dryer that is cool and keeps the hair away from your skin if you have to. To avoid soap buildup on the eyes and ears, use a damp cloth to clean the face.
Be patient! You must teach your dog to be comfortable handling other animals. Praise and reward good behavior.
This will allow your dog to associate bathing in positive thoughts with a wonderful experience.
Here’s a tip…
You can take your dog on a walk before you take him to the bath. This will help your dog burn some calories and keep him calmer in the tub.
How do I brush my dog’s teeth?
From as young as three years of age, dogs are more likely to develop periodontal disease or other dental problems. Gum disease can lead to abscesses, heart disease, and even tooth loss.
Dental care is important to prevent the growth of bacteria. Chewing helps maintain healthy gums and teeth.
Slowly start by letting the dog lick the toothpaste. Start with your fingertips and work your way up to a toothbrush for dogs.
You can also use dental sprays or wipes if your dog is irritated by the technique.
What should I do to care for my dog’s ears?
To avoid discomfort and infections, the ears, eyes, and paws must be taken care of.
Use a cotton ball to clean your ears with a witch hazel or ear cleaner. If the cotton balls turn brown, it is possible that you have an infection. You should consult a doctor.
It is best to let your dog go if they do not have an ear problem.
What should I do to care for my dog’s eyes?
The eyes of your dog should be examined at least once per week. A dog’s eyes should be free from any reddening or cloudiness. This could indicate an eye infection.
To avoid irritation, the hairs around your eyes should be trimmed with blunt-nosed scissors.
What should I do to care for my dog’s paws?
You should also be aware of the area between your dog’s paw pads. From daily exercise and walking, the paws can come in contact with pesticides and salt, causing hair to become matted or uncomfortable lumps.
You can trim your hair if you are comfortable. Many groomers and vets will gladly assist.
How do I cut the hair of my dog?
The eyes, ears, and chin are all common areas that dogs may need to have their hair trimmed regularly.
Blades and energetic animals can make for a frightening combination. If you aren’t comfortable trimming your dog, then consult a professional.
Be careful when trimming your dog. You may injure or nick the dog.
To keep the blades from touching the skin, use an attachment comb. You should check the temperature of the blades with your inside forearm.
Important areas to watch out for are the eyes. This is because hair can irritate the dogs’ vision and cause irritation.
To prevent food from getting trapped in hair, trim the hair around your jaw and chin. You should trim any hair that is prone to matting or tangling, as well as any other areas that could trap dirt and/or debris.
This concludes the basics and you and your dog are now ready to show off their best!
You will find everything you need in your groomers, including shampoos and conditioners as well as nail clippers and trimmers.
You’ll have the best dog in town if you show your dog love and care.
Comments are closed.