The Poodle is undoubtedly the dog breed most associated with different haircuts and hairstyles. This is partly in thanks to the volume of its curly coat. Their coats' softness and hypoallergenic quality make them one of the most popular dogs for professional dog groomers. However, we shouldn't forget they are also one of most intelligent dog breeds. Do you live with a Toy Poodle, a Miniature Poodle, a Standard Poodle, a Giant Poodle or a Poodle crossbreed? Our AnimalWised top 10 best Poodle haircuts work for all types of Poodle.
Whether finished off with scissors or clippers, it's always advisable to go to a professional groomer if you are at all unsure you can cut your Poodle's hair. Keep reading and find out the best 10 haircuts for Poodles with styles and photos for your reference.
Different Poodle cuts
As we state in the introduction, there are different types of Poodles. While the Giant, Standard, Miniature and Toy Poodles all have a slightly different morphology, they also share distinct features. For a start, they are all curly haired dogs. Some of them have longer bodies, while the smaller dogs are a little more compact. This means some of the Poodle cuts here are more suitable for one type of Poodle than another. At the same time, all of them can work one way or another.
Our top 10 Poodle haircuts and styles are:
- Lion cut
- English saddle cut
- Dutch cut
- Modern cut
- Puppy cut
- Summer cut
- Cupcake cut
- Teddy bear cut
- Town and country cut
- Short cut
You will also have to bear in mind that some of these cuts will be much shorter. If you live in a cold climate or a hot climate, ensure you have the right protection for your dog. Our article on dressing dogs for winter shows you how to do this in an appropriate way.
1. Lion cut
The lion cut is probably the best known and most extravagant of all the poodle haircuts. The dog's limbs are hairless, with only a pompom around the front and back paws. The tail should be rounded off and the chest, stomach and head should be left with hair. It is the most widely used haircut in competitions and dog shows where is is also known as the Continental cut.
The lion cut's elaborate style makes it impressive, but also takes a lot of time and effort (not to mention experience) to get right. There are other cuts on dogs called the lion cut, such as one for the Shih Tzu, but they will look different according to the specific breed.
2. English saddle cut
The English cut is very similar to the lion cut. The difference lies in an additional pompom on the hind legs, and the pelvic area being left at the same length as the chest. It still shares the long ears and tightly wound curls on the body. Both are considered some of the most popular Poodle haircuts among groomers.
3. Dutch cut
The Dutch cut is one of the most popular in dog contests and expositions. Unlike previous styles, this one is for those who are looking for a uniform style with no differences in length of the dog's coat. It's notable above all for the tail ending in a cute pompom. In the UK, this is referred to as the ‘sporting cut’ in the British Kennel Club.
4. Modern cut
The modern cut for poodles is probably the most suitable for owners who love following recent trends and enjoy watching canine beauty competitions. This is also known as the Scandinavian cut or European cut in some sectors, especially in the United States of America.
It seeks to achieve a careful and professional finish, without being as exaggerated as the aforementioned styles. It is an aesthetic cut, yet at the same time it is very natural. It follows the shape of the body, emphasizing the ears and tail as much as the head.
5. Puppy cut
The puppy haircut is very popular among most small dog breeds, such as Yorkshire Terriers or West Highland White Terriers.
This is a very trendy cut for Miniature Poodles, and it isn't difficult to work out why. This haircut really makes your poodle look like a puppy. This style doesn't aim to achieve a defined or sharp-looking finish. On the contrary, the fur should look natural and fresh. The American Kennel Club claims there should be a pompom on the end of the tail. It is another of the most popular Poodle haircuts.
6. Summer cut
Many dog owners wonder if it's bad to give their dogs a haircut during the summer. Not all dogs should follow the example of the Poodle, which is a breed that adapts perfectly to different haircuts and styles.
Summer is a hot period that makes your beloved poodle get dirtier than usual - especially if you take it to the beach or go for a walk in the woods. Therefore, giving it a summer cut is a good idea: You will help to keep it cool while achieving some interesting aesthetic finishes, as shown below. Winter Poodle cuts tend to leave more hair on the dog to help insulate them from the cold.
7. Cupcake cut
This haircut is not very well known, possibly because some people think it provides a strange look once it is done. The cupcake cut is notable for leaving the ears absolutely rounded as a result of being thoroughly styled. Not all styles will involve Poodle face cuts to be so dramatic, but we think it is quite stylish.
This Poodle cut is also notable for the shape of its head - which ends in a point - which bears a clear resemblance to a delicious muffin.
8. Teddy bear cut
The teddy bear cut is increasingly popular among long-haired dog breeds. This finish must be done with scissors, and it requires hands with experience in styling poodles.
The hair should be left mid-length so that the poodle's curls can be seen clearly. This gives a sweet and rounded finish which makes it look like a bear, as the name suggests.
Make sure you know how often to bathe a poodle in order for their fur to look gorgeous at all times.
9. Town and country cut
This type of hair cut is increasingly popular in the United States, where it's known as the ‘town and country’ cut. This style can work for any type of Poodle, but is particularly common with Standard or Miniature Poodles.
Its defining feature is that it leaves the legs hairy and cylinder-shaped. The body hair, on the other hand, is cut shorter, which accentuates the density of the leg hairs. The head and ears have a rounded finish.
10. Short cut
While it's not very common to see a short-haired poodle, it remains an aesthetic option that will avoid knots, tangles and dirt building up in its coat. This Poodle cut may be a good option in warmer countries. It is also a good option for those who can't go to the dog stylist as often as they would like to. This style can work just as well on a Toy Poodle as it will a Standard Poodle. However, you will need to bear in mind that it may cause the dog to become cold. Either avoid this cut in cold climates or winter months. If you still prefer a shorter cut, ensure you have a doggie jacket for them to stay protected.
How to get the right Poodle cut
There is some controversy over the styles and types of Poodle cuts. The problem is there is no standardized style guide for cutting a Poodle's hair. In different countries, regions and even individual dog groomers, there is debate over the correct name for some of the terms. This can understandably cause confusion for groomers. Clients may come in with a specific idea of how they want their Poodle cut, but are unable to explain the style to the groomer.
Whether you have a Toy Poodle, Miniature Poodle or Standard Poodle, getting the right cut can be tricky. The best thing for you to do is to decide on what you want before hand and locate a picture of the Poodle cut you want. You can even take this article with you and decide which type of haircut will best work for your dog. Relying on the name of a certain Poodle cut may cause confusion or frustration, so it is best to be on the safe side.
Send us a photo of your dog!
Do not forget to share your poodle's haircut in the comments so that others can get inspired. Thank you for visiting AnimalWised!
If you want to read similar articles to 10 Haircuts for Poodles, we recommend you visit our Beauty tips category.