Oh just give him a “puppy cut”…
Most seasoned groomers have learned the hard way how to handle the term “puppy cut”. This is a term that pet owners use all the time. If you ask 10 pet owners what they think this trim is you will get 10 different answers. In fact, if you ask 10 groomers what their version of a puppy cut is you will most likely get 10 different opinions as well.
“Many pet owners really liked the way their dog looked as a puppy. Just the fluffy, one-length-all-over look. They often refer to the puppy cut term to capture the essence of that age. However, that is not true for everyone.”
I have had many pet owners refer to a shave down as a puppy cut. So, what IS a puppy cut? There is no right or wrong answer.
Groomers are creative people by nature. There is not one person that will groom a dog the same way as someone else. Everyone has their own style… their own version of a puppy cut.
You really have to do a little digging to find out exactly what type of trim the client is looking for. It is very important to ask questions. Here are recommendations and important questions to ask in order for you to give the client exactly what they want:
How long do you prefer the coat on the body? Bend down and measure the coat between your fingers asking how much they want left. One inch to one person could mean two inches to another. Talking measurements is not always the best way to get the correct answer. You will get a more accurate answer if they see the coat between your fingers.
Do you want the legs the same length as the body? You could give this recommendation: If I leave the legs a little longer than the body it will be really cute and stylish.
If they say they want the dog really short you can ask: Do you want it to be a little fluffy or very smooth? (This will determine whether you use a snap-on comb or blade. Again, ask if they want the legs the same length as the body.
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Keep in mind that you do not have to do a one-length-all-over on the body. Taking the shoulders, throat and thighs a little tighter than the body and setting in rear angulation will give your dog a stylish well-balanced look.
Just a little advice… make sure whatever length you are leaving will hold up to the client’s grooming schedule. The goal is for the dog to come back in good condition. If it comes back matted, you have two choices: change the trim or change the grooming schedule.
This dog groomer’s thinning shear is a 48 tooth shear. It is a fabulous grooming shear for many jobs. It can be aggressive but yet will blend beautifully. This is a great shear for softening dog’s heads, blending pattern lines and lift layering different coat types. It is a great multi purpose thinning shear that can be on many breeds and coat types.