TOY POODLE

Draven

Draven is a very sporting looking Toy Poodle. He has a lush, thick coat and wears a Miami style trim very well. Draven has had his basics, face, feet and tail done prior to filming. You can learn more about shaving Poodle faces here, and here. Take it away, Chuckie!

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

PART 1 Setting the body and bracelets in. It takes time to set a heavy coated dog in. The front bracelet needs to match the highest point of the rear bracelet. Chuckie uses an anti slip mat for this dog, as he loves to move around. Chuckie uses a 10mm comb on the body, a #7F or #5F could also be used.

PART 2 Chuckie sets the finer points of this trim in using 8 inch curved scissors to clear the body from the topknot, define the bracelets, and scissor in the legs above the bracelets.

PART 3 The bracelets! There are 2 ways to set in the bottom of the bracelets, with scissors or clippers. Chuckie uses a #40 blade on an angle to bevel the bottom of the bracelet.

PART 4 The head study. Styling a topknot is fun! Bring the back of the neck in to suit the dog and owner's lifestyle. Most owners are not fantastic at brushing long hair. This is overall a low maintenance groom for an owner, but they still have to brush the dog.

Study Notes | Key Concepts

- This style focuses on a shorter, easy-maintenance body clip, leaving bracelets on the legs and a small mane.
- A 10mm attachment comb is recommended for a softer look, ideal for pet trims, rather than a shorter #7.
- Pre-shave the face and tail to create a clean foundation.
- Begin with bulk removal, focusing on even trimming around the chest and legs.
- Match the front and rear bracelets by aligning them with the highest point of the rear bracelet.
- Carefully trim small sections at a time, keeping the bracelets on an angle and checking balance from multiple perspectives.
- Use an 8-inch curved scissor to taper from the shoulder to the clipper line, ensuring a smooth transition.
- For mane styling, blend just to the withers to minimise matting and keep it manageable for pets.
- Avoid a "bobblehead" look by keeping the head shape slightly slicker.
- Use the scissoring technique to maintain a natural visor while blending the hair back into the neck line.
- Round the feet by trimming only small sections at a time, checking for symmetry from all sides.
- Pull leg bracelets forward while trimming to prevent accidental cuts.
- Trim and round the tail by holding it securely and carefully trimming for symmetry.
- Final checks for symmetry and angle adjustments ensure a polished look