The Desi clip is currently one of the most popular trims seen in the British show ring. Like the Puppy Lion clip, there is a long mane in front with short hair on the hindquarters, but everything is scissored to a shorter, more manageable length. The Desi trim requires expert scissor work and a practiced eye to achieve balance and symmetry.

1. Bathe and fluff dry your Poodle.
2. Follow the instructions for clipping the feet.
3. Follow the instructions for clipping the face.
4. Follow the instructions for clipping and scissoring the tail. The base of the tail should be clipped to an inverted V. Sit the dog on the grooming table, facing you, to clip the front of the neck. Choose the blade that is correct for your dog’s skin type, as this can be a very sensitive area. Normally you should use a #10 or a #9 blade. If your Poodle is sensitive, however, and prone to scratching at his throat after 
clipping, use a #9 or #8-1/2. Pointing clippers upward, start an inch or so above the Adam’s Apple, and clip to the front of each ear. The clipped area can be V shaped or slightly rounded across the neck like a string of pearls.
5. Stand the Poodle to face you to begin setting the body pattern. The pattern line encircles the last rib, curving around the rib, and ends in an inverted V in the center of the back. Setting this pattern line around a dog’s waist is not easy. Therefore, if you are attempting the Desi for the first time, especially on a Poodle with an abundance of coat, the easiest way to fix the pattern is to cut the line in with curved shears, and then set it with clippers. Once the basic line is scissored in, use a #5/8 or #7/8 blade to clip it.
6. Shape the top of the hindquarters. Comb the hair up and out. Shape this area short and level with your shears. Scissor the hair tight under the tail to make the dog appear as short in back as possible.
7. Comb the hair on the back legs up and out to lift and fluff the coat. Make both legs even in size and shape. At the top of each leg, scissor upward, blending the hair to flow smoothly into the hindquarters, following the natural contours of the dog’s body. When shaping the hair at the clipped pattern line, fluff it up and forward with your comb, then scissor off any untidy hairs that fall over the clipped line. Then use curved shears to bevel the edges around the pattern to remove any sharp lines, creating a soft look.
8. The next step is to shape the mane in front. Begin by combing the hair at the pattern line encircling the last rib. Use curved shears to scissor off untidy hairs that fall in back of the clipped line. Next, bevel the edges all the way around the pattern with curved shears to remove any sharp lines and create a soft look in the front.
9. The mane is shaped round with curved shears. The hair increases in length as you work forward to the neck. The length of the mane hair is a matter of personal preference. A fuller mane is more pleasing to the eye, but it is more difficult to maintain between trimmings. Once you become familiar with the Desi clip, you will learn from experience which length is best for your dog.
   Round the hair under the chest, then turn the dog to stand facing you and shape the front of the chest round, from shoulder to shoulder. As you did under the tail, keep the hair on the chest short and tight to avoid making the dog look long in body. Lift each ear leather, and scissor underneath to complete the round mane.
10. Sit the Poodle to face you. Fluff the hair on the head upward and forward with your comb, and finish the topknot. To balance the topknot with the mane and create a smooth arched line that flows into the longer hair on the neck, the topknot is shaped a little wider and fuller than usual. In front of the eyes, it is as clean as usual, but leans slightly forward. When the topknot is shaped in this manner, it adds reach of neck and height to the dog, creating a very elegant finished picture.
11. Comb the ear feathering downward, then round the edges with scissors to remove any untidy hairs or excessive length for an overall balanced appearance.

Note:

Although the final look may not be as plush looking as a complete scissor finish, you can use a medium to long snap-on comb attachment over a #30 or #40 blade to remove excess coat and reduce the hair to more workable proportions. When doing this, however, you must leave extra length on the back of the neck, to blend the topknot and neck into the mane. Fluff the hair up and out with your comb and then use curved shears to achieve a balanced shape.