Bichon X Poodle

Part 1
Sue begins by showing Hugo’s coat exactly as he arrives for grooming and explains why thorough prep is essential before attempting any structured style. She demonstrates her full bathing routine, including shampoo order, targeted conditioning for longer coat areas, and safe face and eye cleaning. Sue then moves into drying, using the blast dryer methodically to open the coat and remove curl, followed by stand drying with volumising spray. The focus in this part is achieving a straight, separated coat that will scissor cleanly and support a polished finish.

Part 2
With prep complete, Sue sets the pattern lines using a short blade, explaining precisely where to clip and where to stop to maintain balance and avoid dips in the outline. She shows how to create clean angulation at both the front and rear by following natural bend points in the legs, setting the collar line, and blending into longer coat using controlled scooping motions. This section emphasises symmetry, checking height from above, and keeping the underneath neat for comfort and coat longevity.

Part 3
Sue moves into scissoring, starting with tail shaping and wide, balanced feet. She explains how to visualise foot shape using clear reference points, then demonstrates time-saving blending techniques with attachment combs to transition smoothly from short coat into longer leg hair. From there, she builds the legs into a rounded, cylindrical shape, showing how scissor angle, direction, and movement around the dog create dimension rather than flatness. Balance, consistency between legs, and frequent checks from different angles are key themes throughout this part.

Part 4
The head work begins with careful clearing of the eye area and setting clean muzzle lines without over-clipping. Sue explains how to establish correct muzzle width and shape for an oval mushroom style, focusing on proportion, symmetry, and pigment considerations. She demonstrates how to build the muzzle from the bottom up, blending gradually rather than shortening too quickly, and how to avoid over-scissoring by working with blenders. This section focuses on control, patience, and maintaining a clear, open expression.

Part 5
In the final stage, Sue constructs the mushroom head by setting the base line around the ears, shaping the back of the head, and rounding everything into a smooth, cohesive outline. She explains how to check ear height, maintain symmetry, and connect the head cleanly into the neck without visible transitions. The groom is finished by refining the muzzle connection and checking the head from every angle to ensure the final shape is balanced, crisp, and practical for everyday wear.