The Asian Poodle

Groom by Jodi Murphy

Asian Fusion styling has really taken of f over the past several years. These trendy styles began in Asia, par ticularly in Japan, Thailand and Korea. There are countless styles and variations, all of them adorable. The fashion of their execution is to por tray doll-like features, or stuf fed animal appearance. Adornments exaggerate the doll-like appearance, especially apparel, ribbons, bows and more. Bodies of curly-coated breeds bodies get clipped tight usually with #2 snap-on combs. Leg styles are similar but there may be dif ferences. This coat type may be scissored and sculpted giving 14 Copyright © 2013 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reserved Subscribe www.egroomer.commore controlled execution. Legs may be scissored for a bell-bottom appearance or more column-

like. Curly-coated heads can be scissored into the bubble-head with round or oval muzzles which are ver y popular. Drop-coated breeds like the Yorkie and Maltese get shaved ver y close on the body using 5F or 7F blades, creating beautiful long “bell bottoms” of leg hair. Drop coats have more limitations yet there are various body and head styles. Koreans sometimes scissor a diaper on the rears. There are no rules, an especially nice feature of Asian Fusion styling. There are guidelines to follow but groomers can add twists pleasing to their eyes. Ever y dog is dif ferent in coat type, density and textures. Modifications bring out the best results with what you have at hand.

Grooming Body and Legs

Star t by clipping the body coat with a #2 snap-on comb. Begin at the base of the neck and clip the entire body. Clip the thigh muscle and rear angulation to the bend of leg. Clip the inside of the thigh in the same fashion as the outer thigh. Leave the front upper arm hair to scissor with the front leg a bit later. Clip the front and sides of the neck from the base of the ear and under the jaw line and throat down over the breastbone continuing between the front legs. Clip the tail at the same length as the body. Tighten the tail’s under side to look eGroomer Journal Copyright © 2011 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reservednice and tidy when the dog’s tail is erect. 15

When grooming a Poodle, either clip the feet or leave them full depending on client preference. Here I clipped the feet to the fir st knuckle. Af ter clipping bevel the bottom of the bell-bottom by combing the coat straight down and scissor with your shear at an angle. Scissor the hock at a 45-degree angle creating a flared appearance and more leg style.

Scissor the front of the rear leg in a straight line from the flank down to the knee. Then, round the knee to the base of the bevel. Shape the leg giving it the bell-bottom appearance by blending from where you lef t of f with the snap on comb work. Leave a nice flare at the lower leg to show of f a nice bevel.

Scissor the front of the rear leg in a straight line from the flank down to the knee. Then, round the knee to the base of the bevel. Shape the leg giving it the bell-bottom appearance by blending from where you lef t of f with the snap on comb work. Leave a nice flare at the lower leg to show of f a nice bevel.

Shave ear s shor t or leave long to your preference, or client’s. Shave with a 7F on the outside of the ear and a 10 blade on the inside. The clipped line should be just above where the ear folds. Blend the coat above the line into the topknot. Scissor ear edges tight.

Clip the cheeks one-finger width behind the outside corner of the eye using a 5F blade. Clip the cheek to the ear opening meeting the snap-on comb work under the jaw line.

(top) Comb all of the muzzle coat up and out. Use hard cur ves to create an oval-shaped muzzle. The muzzle should be the same width as the coat lef t at the outside corner of the eye. The top of the muzzle should be showing ½ of the eyes. (bottom) Use your index finger and thumb and place them around the dog’s muzzle. Use a 40 blade and carefully clip the coat of f the upper and lower lip directly under the nose. Be sure to hold the dog’s muzzle closed to prevent its tongue coming out. Scissor the coat around the nose so that nothing is eGroomer Journal falling on the nose. Copyright © 2011 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reserved 25

Time to scissor the back of the neck connecting the topknot and the topline. The collar line should be free from long hair as this is where clothing will sit. Scissor the back of the head in a bubble shape down to the middle of the neck. Blend the sides of the neck into the bubble head.

Now you can accessorize and show of f this cute trim! This is your time to be creative and add your little twists to this Asian Poodle trim. Good luck!