Follow these steps to achieve the “Traditional Lion” clip for your Poodle, known also as the “Full Pack” or “English Saddle” clip.

• Clip the feet, face and tail.
• Groom, bathe, condition and blow the hair
dry as for the “Puppy” clip.

• Part the coat behind the rib cage as in the “Puppy Lion”. It is always advisable to clip the mane in before the back end to make it easier to achieve a good balance. Again, a bandage can be used for forming lines. This is always a good idea as you can tie it around at the given points and move it up or down to achieve a balance before putting your scissors in. Once you’ve snipped, there is no turning back!
• Apply the bandage about 2 inches (5 cm) above the wrist, and look to see if this will allow you to scissor a nice oval bracelet. Cut above the bandage line, clip with a No. 10 up the front leg to remove the hair up to the joint of the elbow. Do not clip over the elbow. Trim the bracelet by combing the hair outward and allowing it to fall naturally. Then scissor the ends, tipping (scissoring) to form an oval shape.
• Scissor around the bottom of the mane to achieve a ball finish.
• Feel for the hock joint and apply the bandage about 1 inch (2.5 cm) above.
• Feel for the stifle joint, and apply a second bandage to define. Stand back and check that there is a good balance between the three defined points. Move the bandage slightly up or down until you feel happy that the dog looks right.
• With the scissors, cut a thin line above the bandage. These points can be carefully clipped, or defined with scissors.
• When starting on the other leg, do check that your lines correspond from behind, otherwise the trim will look odd and unbalanced. Remember, once the scissors have cut, there is no turning back.
• Comb the individual three sections of hair on the back leg upward and outward, and then allow it to fall or settle naturally. Scissor each section to a smooth, rounded finish.
• Scissor the tail as for the “Lamb” clip.