HOW TO CLIP YOUR LABRADOODLE – Part 2

In this installment of How to clip your Labradoodle we are going to cover how to clip the head.

How to Clip The Head:

Step 1 – Start under the ears with the Size 10F Blade.  Lift the ear, starting at the bottom of the exterior of the ear canal.  Follow down the neck where the ear covers the neck in a ‘V’ pattern as shown in the picture below.

Step 2 – Ears – Hold the ear between index and middle fingers at the tip of the ear.  Place the top of your fingers directly below the tip of the ear.  With Scissors trim the length of the coat straight across under the bottom your fingers, making sure not to cut the ear tissue or your fingers.   Then trim down both sides of the ear as shown in the picture below.  Complete Step 2 on the other ear.

Step 3 – Top of the head and Bangs – Holding the coat at the top of the head between your index and middle fingers trim at the desired length with Scissors.  I usually trim it to about 2-3 inches long.  Follow around the top of the head, as seen in the picture below, blending into the hair on the ears; creating a rounded appearance.  Hold the bangs (hair above the eyes) between your index and middle finger out above the eyes toward the nose.  Cut with Scissors to be able to see the eyes. 

Step 4 – Trim between the eyes with Scissors as shown in step 3.  If your labradoodle doesn’t mind the clippers near its eyes clip the bridge between the eyes with the Size 7F blade, blending into the bangs.  Also trim by the inside corner of the eye, this may be done with the Size 7F blade also.  As shown in Step 3.  I prefer to use the clippers, it gives my labradoodles face a cleaner look and the clip lasts longer than trimming with scissors. 

Step 5 –  Trim the beard straight across with Scissors as shown in the picture in step 3.  This should be trimmed at the same length all the way back to the neck.

Following these steps the head of your Labradoodle is finished.  Check back for Part 3 of How to Clip your Labradoodle.

HOW TO CLIP YOUR LABRADOODLE – PART 1

Clipping your labradoodle whether you do the work yourself or have it done can be a challenge.  Finding a groomer that doesn’t give your labradoodle a poodle clip has been a big challenge for most labradoodle owners.  One key thing if you are taking your labradoodle to the groomers is to take pictures with you of what you would like your labradoodle to look like.

Well this blog is about how to clip your labradoodle yourself, so let me get back on track.  First, please don’t feel overwhelmed it is easier than it seems.  With a little upfront investment in supplies, learning how to clip your labradoodle yourself can save your family a lot of money in the long run.  In no time you will be a pro in the art of labradoodle clipping. 

Products needed:

• Stable Table or Grooming Table
• A good set of Clippers – I use the Oster Turbo A5 Two-Speed Clipper.  A cool feature that this clipper has is that you can change the blades.
• Clipper Blades – Size 3F, 5F, 7F & 10 – These sizes will do the job without needing to use the comb attachments (which don’t really work with the labradoodle coats anyway).  When purchasing blades keep in mind that the Ceramic blades are not able to be sharpened.
• Clipper Blade Cleaner
• Clipper Blade Cool Spray
• Scissors
• Slicker Brush
• Metal Comb

All of these items can be purchased from your local pet supply or any online retailer.

How to Clip The Body:

Step 1 – Start at the base of the skull where it meets the neck with the Size 3F Blade.  Follow down the spine to the head of the tail as shown in the picture below.

Step 2 – Clip the Neck, Chest and rest of the body with the Size 3F Blade as shown in the picture below.  Stop at the top of the thigh on the back legs and above the elbow on the front legs. 

Step 3 – Clip the Belly with the Size 7F from the breast bone about the mid point of the front legs. Follow the teats to under the back legs.  Be sure not to clip where you will be able to see this area from a side view.

Step 4 – Clip under the tail with the Size 5F from the anus downward to between the back legs. Blend into the backside of the rump and thigh to square the backside when viewing from the side.

Following these steps the body of your Labradoodle is finished.  Check back for Part 2 of How to Clip your Labradoodle.