14 Popular Poodle Haircuts to Try Today (with Pictures)

No matter what size your Poodle is, they all require regular haircuts to keep their mop of a coat under control. Grooming a Poodle is a practical act of hygiene, but it can also be an opportunity to show off some doggy style! If you’re in the mood for a new ‘do for your pampered pup, here are 14 popular poodle haircuts to try today!

The 14 Poodle Haircuts You Can Try Today

The puppy cut (as you might have guessed) is so named because it’s generally the first hairstyle a young Poodle receives. For this haircut, the entire coat is clipped to the same length, including the face and feet. A typical coat length is 1–2 inches, but this style can easily be modified to suit your dog’s appearance and your personal preference. Because it’s so simple and still cute, this is a popular haircut for adult pet Poodles as well. Owners who want to learn to clip their dog at home should be able to pick up this style fairly easily.

The teddy bear cut is especially popular for Toy and Miniature Poodles. Similar to the puppy cut, this style leaves hair on all parts of the dog, including the feet and face. Generally, the fur is trimmed to about 1–2 inches in length. For the teddy bear cut, however, the groomer takes the time to round out the shape of the Poodle’s head to resemble the stuffed animal that gives this style its name. For DIY Poodle groomers, the style should also be pretty easy to learn, although the head shaping may take a bit more practice. 

The continental (sometimes called lion) cut is one of two Poodle hairstyles approved for the show ring. It is a traditional style, similar to how early Poodles had their coats groomed. It is a complicated cut to get right, generally left to experienced show dog groomers. In this style, the Poodle’s face, throat, part of their legs, and part of the tail are shaved very close. The top of the head is left long in a top knot. The Poodle’s chest and rib cage are left longer, with two balls of fur on the hips. The ankles and end of the tail also contain longer hair. 

The German trim is less complicated than the continental but still leaves a Poodle looking sharp. In this style, the Poodle’s leg hair is left longer than on the body, tapering a bit as it moves up the leg, giving an angular appearance. The feet are shaved close. The body, tail, and neck hair are all the same length, while the dog’s face is shaved. On top of the head is a fluffy topknot with slightly longer-haired ears. 

The modern trim involves precise scissor techniques to achieve the right shape and should be approached with caution unless you are a professional groomer. For this cut, the face, feet, and base of the tail are shaved. The body and legs are left generally the same length but carefully shaped to accent the natural curves and angles of the Poodle’s anatomy. Finally, the dog’s ears, head, and tail remain fluffy, contrasting with the rest of the animal. 

The English saddle cut is another option allowed in the show ring. This style leaves more hair on the dog’s body than the continental but requires more precise spacing to get it correct. For this trim, the dog’s face, feet, and throat are shaved, along with parts of the legs. On the hind legs, two bands of longer hair are spaced out, with more fur left on the hips than the continental cut. The chest and ribs are left long, with a fluffy head, ears, and tail. 

The Dutch cut is called the sporting clip in the U.K., where it is approved for the show ring. This style is a lower maintenance cut, with the body, legs, and head all a similar coat length. The feet and face are shaved, along with the base of the tail, creating a characteristic pom-pom. This hairstyle is quite popular and looks very neat. Any size Poodle can pull off this cut!

The cupcake cut is a less common Poodle hairstyle, at least in the United States. It is more popular in Asian countries, especially Japan. The body cut is relatively standard: the same length all over, with clean feet. What makes this cut unique is the head, face, and ears. Unlike many poodle styles, there’s no clean face here, and the muzzle is rounded. The ears are also round, while the top of the head is cut into a discrete point, like the top of a cupcake. 

The town and country clip is becoming popular in America. It’s typically performed on Standard and Miniature Poodles, although it will work for any size. For this cut, the legs are left longer than the body, shaped like a cylinder. The shorter body hair contrasts nicely with the legs, creating a unique silhouette. The face and feet are clean, while the head and ears are long and rounded in appearance. 

The princess cut is a modified version of the traditional continental clip. For this style, the dog’s ears and head are shaped and blended together to make it look like the Poodle has hair like a human. The face, throat, body, and legs down to the ankles are short, making the head and ears pop. The princess cut features bands of hair at the ankle and a poofy tail. It’s not a show cut, but it still looks cute!

The corded coat is a very complicated hairstyle that should only be attempted by an expert groomer. To accomplish this look, you must allow your Poodle’s hair to grow out and form it into locks all over. It’s a tedious task, although the end result is quite striking. You can still groom the corded Poodle into one of the other cuts we discussed as well, making even more of a statement. 

The lamb cut is popular because it’s simple and easy to maintain. It’s also versatile because the hair can be in many different lengths. The key is keeping the legs longer than the body. The head, ears, and tail maintain a natural, scruffy look, while the face and feet are cut short. Because this coat can be nearly any length, it doesn’t need to be trimmed as frequently as long as you’re okay having a shaggy little “lamb” in your house. 

Also called the bikini cut, the Miami trim is ideal for summer trips, Poodles that live in Miami, or any warm climate. In this style, the dog’s whole body is cut short, nearly shaved, except for ankle poofs. They’ll have a poofy tail, head, and ears as well. The face and feet are cut clean. This cut will leave the dog cold in the winter, and you’ll need to get them a coat if you want to stick with it year-round. 

The pony clip can be styled at any length, making it versatile and relatively simple to pull off. The key is to make the dog’s head and neck hair longer, forming the shape of a horse’s mane along the top of the neck. Generally, the feet and tail hair is also left longer than the body. This look is a less common hairstyle, but some owners really play up the contrasting length, turning their pup into the spitting image of a pony. 

Conclusion

Whether you give your Poodle one of these 14 hairstyles or stick with a simple summer shave-down, it’s essential that you don’t neglect your dog’s grooming. Poodle coats are unique because they grow constantly and their dead hair remains trapped instead of shedding out like other dogs. 

This feature is why Poodles are considered an allergy-friendly breed, but it also makes them vulnerable to intense matting and skin disease without proper grooming care. If you’re considering adding a Poodle (or a Poodle-hybrid) to your household, be aware that you’re signing up for a lifetime of frequent trips to the groomer!

See also:

• 12 Low-Maintenance Poodle Cuts to Try Today! (With Pictures)
• 25 Awesome Pomeranian Haircuts to Try Today (With Pictures)

Featured Image Credit: BONDART PHOTOGRAPHY, Shutterstock