Poodles are among the best dog breeds because they are so calm, gentle, and loving. They are active and will enjoy a household with children or other dogs who love playtime. However, it can be hard to choose between haircuts for your Standard Poodle, especially if you’re a first-time dog owner.
There are dozens of haircuts, including those that will make your dog look like a lion or a dinosaur. There are also haircuts that can make your puppy look like a teddy bear, regardless of their age.
Read on to learn more about the best Standard Poodle haircuts and how to choose the right one for your dog.
Before you scroll down this list of Standard Poodle haircut styles, check out: 6 Fun Games to Play With Your Poodle! (2023) and Poodle Tails: To Dock or Leave Naturally? (2023).
The Best Standard Poodle Haircuts to Consider
When choosing a haircut for your Poodle, go for cuts that work for your climate and your dog’s age. The comfort your Standard Poodle feels should be the most important thing when considering which haircut to give your dog.
1. Teddy Bear Cut
A teddy bear cut is best used for a puppy because it will make your puppy look like a stuffed animal instead of a dog. This haircut is perfect for dogs of any age and can work well for Miniature Poodles or Toy Poodles, too.
A teddy bear cut is among the most popular Standard Poodle haircuts because it can make your dog look youthful. This haircut also keeps your dog’s hair uniformly cut and will ensure your dog has an unobstructed view.
2. Kennel Cut
The Kennel cut is perfect for dogs who are going to spend time in a kennel. This cut is uniform, but it is close to the skin and may make your Poodle feel cold if they are not used to a close haircut. This can also help prevent the harboring of lice, fleas, and pests that may try to make a home out of your dog’s coat.
A kennel cut is often the choice for shelters with a dog who’s staying for an extended period.
3. Summer Cut
A summer cut is best used in warm months, particularly in the summer when the heat starts to become unbearable. This haircut will ensure your Poodle remains comfortable in the heat.
Your dog may need some time to adjust to the chill against its skin. This haircut will leave some hair around the body, but the layer will be thin. It may take several months for your Poodle’s hair to grow back to the length it was before the cut.
4. Puppy Cut
A puppy cut is similar to a teddy bear cut, but there are some significant differences. For example, the puppy cut has a more uniform look compared to the teddy bear cut’s long hair.
A puppy cut can make your Poodle of any age look like a young dog. This consistent hairstyle will help your dog’s hair grow in evenly to ensure you can try a different haircut as they get older.
5. Lamb Cut
A lamb cut is perfect for small Poodles and can make your pup look more like a lamb than a dog. The lamb cut can offer your dog a uniform haircut that lets them cool down without shaving off all their hair.
A lamb cut is ideal for photo shoots and taking family photos. This haircut is also so short that it can show off any bows or accessories in their coat of hair.
6. Lion Cut
A lion cut will have your dog looking like a fluffy lion. This hairstyle will leave your dog with a mane of hair around its head and neck while the rest of its body gets a uniform and clean shave.
This haircut may also keep a little poof ball at the end of your Poodle’s tail, making them look like a lion’s tail instead. The cut sometimes keeps the hair on your Poodle’s legs to keep them looking like a lion, too.
7. Continental Cut
A continental cut may look a little odd at first glance, but it can be a perfect haircut for those who want their dog to look like a classic and elegant Poodle. A continental cut will leave poof balls of hair around your dog’s bottom legs while shaving the hair on its upper legs, part of its back, and belly.
This haircut can give your dog plenty of breeze without making them overheat in warm months.
8. Royal Cut
A royal cut is incredibly regal. Like the continental cut, this haircut will leave puffy balls of hair around your dog’s body, legs, and tail. However, this haircut will forgo the close shave on parts of their body, giving them a uniform haircut.
9. Town and Country Cut
A town and country cut is perfect for Standard Poodles living in a place with an outdoorsy breeze and plenty of warm air. This close shave will leave just enough hair for decorating them and making them look regal.
Consider this haircut if you have your dog outside often and enjoy taking them on adventures.
10. Pony Cut
A pony cut will make your dog look like a pony instead of a dog and leave your dog looking regal, sleek, and modern. This haircut will likely keep the hair at your dog’s ears extra long. You can also ask that they keep the hair on your Poodle’s ears as long as their shoulders.
The pony cut will also have a mop of poofy hair atop your Poodle’s head, although their face and neck will get a shave close to the skin to make them comfortable and ensure they don’t overheat.
11. German Cut
A German cut will make your Poodle look like you imagine a Poodle to look. This haircut will have them round and poofy all over their body with a uniform cut. The German cut means that the hair on your Poodle’s ears gets shaved short enough to be poofy without bothering them.
This haircut ensures their vision is not obstructed and keeps hair on the face and snout short.
12. Mohawk Cut
A mohawk cut is a unique hairstyle that isn’t often used but can be a fun haircut for Halloween or parties. This haircut is characterized by a mohawk going from the top of your Poodle’s head and down its back.
You can customize how this haircut sits on your dog by making the mohawk longer or shorter, depending on how you want it to look.
You can also dye your Poodle’s hair, but only use dyes made with plant-based ingredients, as research suggests that exposure to food dye could put your dog at risk of cancer and hypersensitivity. Always use caution around your dog’s eyes, regardless of the type of food dye.
13. Clean Shave Cut
A clean shave is when you completely shave off all the hair on your Poodle. Most pet owners would prefer not to use this haircut, but there are benefits in certain cases. For example, a Poodle from a shelter might have lice or fleas in their coat, and shaving its hair completely off can help get rid of these pests for good.
Some Poodles might have suffered from neglect and need a clean shave cut to get rid of knotted and tangled hair that you can brush out.
How to Choose the Right Haircut for Your Standard Poodle
Choosing the right haircut for your Poodle can be challenging, but there are a few things to consider before you make your final choice. You’ll need to think about aspects such as the climate, your dog’s age, and which haircut will be most comfortable for them.
Consider Climate
Those living in a cold climate might not want to consider short haircuts and styles for their Poodle until the weather has warmed up for the season. Short haircuts like a lamb cut, kennel cut, puppy cut, or a clean shave might make your dog uncomfortable because they may not have had time to get acclimated.
Always consider your area’s weather and climate before you decide on a haircut for your Poodle to ensure their safety and comfort.
Your Dog’s Age
Older dogs may not be able to make it to the grooming salon as often, meaning you may need to trim their hair at home to make them more comfortable. Use clippers and a detangling brush to remove any tangles or knots and make the grooming process more manageable.
Keep Comfort in Mind
Consider your dog’s comfort at the forefront of your mind before anything else. Your dog may not be comfortable with longer hair, may itch a lot at their ears, and may chew at the hair at their bellies. Observe how your dog behaves with the haircut you give them, and adjust the haircut to make them as comfortable as possible.
Also, keep their view unobstructed by ensuring the hair at their eyes is always trimmed and maintained short. The obstructed view may cause your dog to break objects or hurt itself from running into things.
Frequently Asked Questions
These questions are the most commonly asked and can help you make the best choices for your dog’s grooming and hair-trimming needs.
A Standard Poodle will need a haircut every six to eight weeks, depending on how fast its hair grows. Your Poodle may need to get a haircut sooner than that if they have fast-growing hair.
The best cut for your Standard Poodle can be hard to identify, but it will always be one that makes your dog comfortable and is easy to achieve.
Standard Poodles do need frequent haircuts since their hair grows fast and they don’t shed, meaning that their hair can get matted if they do not get haircuts.
Standard Poodles require plenty of grooming to keep them healthy and happy. A Standard Poodle also needs regular nail and hair trimming to prevent pain in the paws or tangled and knotted hair.
There are plenty of different Standard Poodle cuts to choose from, but always choose one that will make your Poodle comfortable. The most comfortable cuts are the kennel cut, summer cut, and puppy cut.
Conclusion for “Best Standard Poodle Haircuts”
Standard Poodles are one of the best dog breeds for creative pet owners who want to experiment with haircuts and hairstyles. Standard Poodle haircuts are diverse and allow you to dress up your dog with various styles that you and your pet will love.
Your Standard Poodle will likely need a haircut every six to eight weeks, and you can take them to a dog grooming salon or trim your dog’s hair yourself with the right tools.
Standard Poodles have many options for haircuts, but the most popular haircuts are those that will make your Poodle look like a lamb, teddy bear, or lion.
For more guides similar to this list showing Standard Poodle haircuts, check out:
- Silver Standard Poodle Information, Facts, Images! (2023)
- Pomeranian Poodle Mix – A Complete Guide! (2023)
- 8 Best Poodle Mixes! (2023)
If you find these Standard Poodle haircuts interesting, learn more by watching “🐩Standard Poodle elegant haircut/ Grooming my 6 months old Standard Poodle puppy. 🐩” down below:
Dr. Sabrina Kong graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in England in 2016 and has been working at a small animal clinic in Northern California since then. She grew up in the Bay Area and got her bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She also became a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner through a program at the University of Tennessee.
When she isn’t in the clinic taking care of her four-legged patients, she enjoys traveling and trying new foods with her friends and her three-legged dog, Apollo. She adopted Apollo from her clinic when he was a puppy with numerous health issues. Dr. Kong truly cares about taking care of animals.