Body

There are various types of cuts for a Poodle. The example I have displayed here is a continental cut. I will describe how to do 3 different types for simple learning purposes.

1. Same length all over- this is just as it says, using the desired length blade to create the same length all over the base of the body.

2. Pom Detail- This is usually the same length all over EXCEPT you add poms just above the clean feet area. Usually the length of the poms on the hind legs start at the hock and go to a little above the clean feet. Brush the hair downward, then scissor around the foot. Brush the hair upward and do the same thing. Get hair to then settle on it's own and trim, neaten, and clean up with scissors. These will not actually look like balls above the feet but rather look more like a tube around the ankle. Do the same for the feet, as the length should not exceed the ankle pad on the back of the foot.

3. Continental Cut- This cut includes all that I have descibed above BUT keeps the dog warm on areas of the body that need heated. Great cut for the winter! Find something around that will work as a cookie cutter for creating the round poms on hind area. I used a lid from a smoothie drink for this toy poodle.There will be one on each side of the body. There should be about a 2-3 inch width span when looking down upon the dog from the top of the poms. Simply place the object in desired area, shave around it with the safe #10 blade. Be careful when shaving the edge closer to the stomach as you only want a thin strip shaved for the pom on the body. There should only be about an inch shaved on this edge of the pom. After the poms are roughed in, use your curved shears to neaten them up and shape them out. Use your #10 to create the separation between the poms and the front pom of the body. Comb the body hair back and scissor along the shaved line, under and around body. The body pom should extend to the front legs leaving an inch shaved between the poms on the ankles. Make sure body is mat free and combed out. Your end result will probably require a lot of scissoring.

Tail

Using your #10 blade shave about an inch from the base of the tail at the body, downward. Make sure underside of tail is also shaved. Twist remaining hair to the tip and scissor desired length off of tail to create a pom tail.

Ears

Depending on the length of the ear or if you want ears can be even with muzzle. Round out ends, making sure they are completely free of tangles or matting. They should be separate from the top of the head.

Head

The head will be rounded and separated from the ears. Comb the hair on top of the head forward. Using your thinning shears, cut around the front half of the head from back of the ear to back of the other ear. Blow the hair upward, straightening up loose ends with scissors. Then comb hair back towards the neck, point your scissors up towards the ceiling and make even with body around to back of ear. Blow hair so it stands up on top of the head. Neaten up and round out stray hairs. Add bows for a girl in the ears, a bow on collar for boys.
Using your #10, you will shave the face in a reverse motion. This will actually be safer and cleaner and will equal the length of a #40 blade, pronounciating the snout and muzzle. Start under each ear flap and reverse shave across muzzle, under eyes, on top of nose ending right under the neck. Create a neat shave line to differenciate between the body and the shaved area. You have just created a pom head!