For the Poodle’s face, we use an Oster No. 10 blade for most pet dogs and, for the thicker coat, a No. 15. The show dog is usually clipped closer with a No. 30, but this is not always advisable with a cream or white face. Always keep the blade as flat as possible without putting undue pressure on the skin.

• Hold the dog’s muzzle in the right hand, folding the ear back over the head, and clip from the corner of the eye to the upper corner of the ear in a straight, neat line.
• Clip under the eye to the inner corner, then from between the eyes (at the stop) down to the tip of the nose.
• Clip from under the eye toward the muzzle to the nose.Repeat on other side of the face.
• From the base of the ear, clip down to the point of the throat – the Adam’s apple.
• Clip the chin from the edge of the mouth to the nose, taking care to tighten the loose skin at all times.
• For the show Poodle, the neck is clipped into a U-shape, which involves shaving the hair down to an inch or two above the breast bone, depending on the style of the mane, and the emphasis required to show off the length of the neck.
• If you are unsure of the thickness of the facial hair, first clip the face with the coarser No. 10 blade – you can always take more off later, but if you start with, say, a No. 30 and it is too close for that individual dog, you could be in trouble, causing clipper rash, grazing or worse.

Clipping The Feet

Use blades that are meant for a closer finish on the dark colors only. Some people boast that they use a No. 40 blade on the feet and face, but the dogs invariably look as though they are grazed the next day, and  I don’t see why anyone wants to skin a Poodle.

I saw them in the show ring when their faces are livid red and even bleeding, and I consider this very wrong indeed. Feet can take a closer blade with less ill effect.

• Starting at the rear right foot (being sure the dog is standing square and is comfortable), hold the leg just beneath the hock joint, just above the foot. Take care that the foot is underneath the dog and not pulled out to the side.
• Gently press open the toes with your fingers and clip the hair away from around the nails, flexing your wrist to turn the clipper to achieve this, and not twisting the dog’s foot.
• Clip up each toe in turn, taking the hair from between the toes and being careful to avoid ramming the clipper into the web. Make sure you clip to the base of the toe and no higher, otherwise you will spoil the finished appearance and give the Poodle what is known as a “chicken look.”
• Clip each foot in turn. Remember to change the blade if it gets too warm.

Clipping The Tail

Use a No. 15 Oster blade.

• Clip one-third of the (usually docked) tail from the base, leaving enough hair to create a pompom.
• Clip under the tail with a No. 10 blade, being careful not to use a clipper on the bulge of the anus.