Utility Cut

Short—but not shaved.

A Utility Cut is a classic, low-maintenance haircut that’s perfect for dogs and pet parents who want a neat, easy-to-maintain haircut without taking it all the way down to the skin. The coat is trimmed short and even all over, typically around 1/4 inch, leaving just enough fluff for softness without the high-maintenance upkeep. Head, face, and tail are trimmed to match, giving your dog a clean, polished look from head to tail.

Best for:
Dogs who love to run, hike, swim, and roll in the grass. This cut is ideal for active pups who need a manageable coat that won’t slow them down. It’s short enough to be cool in the summer, but leaves enough coat to prevent sunburn. And, it’s a great choice for pet parents who don’t want to spend a lot of time for brushing.

Maintenance & Grooming Frequency:
Dogs with a Utility Cut should be groomed every 8 weeks to maintain their look, comfort, and coat health. An occasional brushing between appointments will help keep the ears, face, and tail tangle-free.

Short Body, Fuller Legs

A stylish step up from a utility cut.

Sometimes called a lamb trim or kennel cut, depending on the breed and groomer, this haircut keeps the body neat (around 1/4″) and manageable while leaving the legs fuller for a soft, balanced finish. It gives your dog a clean silhouette and a little bit of fluff and flair—without as much upkeep as a fluffy all-over style.

Best For:
Active dogs whose coats get tangled easily, but whose humans still want a little floof in the mix. This cut offers a polished look with practical benefits. The length of the body and legs can also be customized to suit your taste—shorter for easier maintenance, fuller for more drama. The head and tail are styled to match.

Maintenance & Grooming Frequency:
To keep this style looking its best and avoid tangles, dogs with this cut should be groomed every 6-8 weeks. Twice weekly brushing at home will help to keep those fluffy legs from matting between appointments.

Short Body with Full Legs & a Skirt

For dogs who like a little “extra.”

This pet hairstyle adds a little extra flair to the “short body, fuller legs” look by keeping a longer skirt (the hair on the sides and undercarriage) for softness and movement. The length of the body is typically around 1/4″, with the legs and skirt trimmed to suit your preference. The head, ears, and tail are typically left a little longer and fuller as well, to balance out the look. It’s great for dogs who need a manageable body length but still want to turn heads with some gentle floof and flow.

Best For:
Drop-coated dogs who need a break from that long flowing coat, but still want to keep some length and style. It’s a nice middle ground between function and fashion—less bulk on top, but plenty of softness underneath. The length of the legs and skirt can also be customized to suit your taste, shorter for easier maintenance, longer for dramatic flair.

Maintenance & Grooming Frequency:
This style needs a bit more upkeep, especially in the legs and skirt, which can trap debris and tangle if not brushed regularly. Most dogs do best with grooming every 6 weeks to keep things tidy and tangle-free. Daily, or almost daily, brushing at home is also a must.

Puppy Cut

One length, fluffy all over.

No dog grooming style guide would be complete without the classic puppy cut! The Puppy Cut is one length all over—typically around 1/2 to 1″—giving your dog a fluffy, even look that’s fairly easy to maintain and undeniably adorable. The head, ears, and tail are trimmed and styled to match. It’s not just for puppies, either. This style works on dogs of all ages.

Best For:
Pet parents who want a lower-maintenance, cute-as-a-button style that keeps their dog looking fresh without too much fuss. Great for dogs who need a tidy coat but still want to stay soft and huggable.

Maintenance & Grooming Frequency:
To keep that fluffy look in shape and avoid matting, plan on grooming every 4-6 weeks depending on coat length, with daily brushing at home between appointments to keep the coat smooth and mat-free.

Teddy Bear Cut

Round face, soft edges, and maximum cuddle appeal.

The Teddy Bear Cut is a fluffy, stylized cut that leaves the body slightly shorter—usually around ½ inch—while the legs and face are scissored full, rounded, and plush. The head is the star of the show here, with carefully rounded cheeks, muzzle, and ears to give that sweet “stuffed animal come to life” look.

Best For:
Pet parents who love a plush, picture-perfect look and don’t mind daily brushing. This style works beautifully on curly-coated dogs, but it’s just as adorable on other breeds with soft, fluffy coats.

Maintenance & Grooming Frequency:
To keep your pup looking like a living plush toy, plan on professional grooming every 4 weeks, with daily brushing at home to prevent tangles.

Asian Fusion Freestyle

Whimsical, exaggerated, and totally Instagram-worthy.

Asian Fusion Freestyle haircuts are all about bold shaping, creative flair, and turning your dog into a walking work of art. These styles typically feature extra-fluffy legs, tight bodies, dramatic face shaping, and stylized touches like round ears, flared legs, mowhawks, or long flowing ears and top knots tied up with a bow—whatever suits your pup’s coat type and personality.

Best For:
Dog parents who want something eye-catching, artistic, and totally unique. Works well on dogs with straight or curly hair who can pull off fuller legs and sculpted features. It’s not for minimalists—but it is for fun-lovers.

Maintenance & Grooming Frequency:
Asian-fusion styles are typically high on wow and high on upkeep. To keep the shape crisp and the coat free of tangles, plan for professional grooming every 4-6 weeks. Daily brushing is a must, especially on those fluffy legs and sculpted faces.

Modified Breed Standard Haircut

The breed standard look, but with less maintenance.

A Modified Breed Standard Haircut stays true to your dog’s breed-specific style, just a little shorter and more practical for everyday life. Think of it as the “low-maintenance version” of the show ring look—still polished, still proud, just less fluff to fuss with.

Best For:
Purebred dogs whose parents want them to look true-to-breed without as much upkeep. Also great for mixed breeds who resemble a specific breed and want to rock that recognizable look with a little less work.

Maintenance & Grooming Frequency:
To keep this trim neat and recognizable, plan on professional grooming every 4-6 weeks, depending on coat length. Regular brushing at home between appointments will be essential for keeping the coat in great condition.

Breed Standard Haircut

The traditional, by-the-book haircut for your dog’s breed.

The haircut you’d see on a purebred dog in a show ring or breed manual. It’s designed to highlight your pup’s natural features, structure, and coat type.

Best For:
Purebred dogs whose owners want a true-to-breed look with all the proper details. Whether it’s a Schnauzer’s sharp outline or a Cocker Spaniel’s flowing skirt, this cut celebrates the breed’s classic style. Note that elaborate show trims can be a time-intensive, specialty service that may require a special price quote based on your pet’s breed and the amount of work involved, as well as the condition of the coat.

Maintenance & Grooming Frequency:
Breed standard cuts usually regular professional grooming every 4 weeks to maintain shape and coat health. Daily brushing at home will also be required between appointments.

Doodle Looks

Fluffy, fabulous, and sometimes high-maintenance.

Goldendoodles, Labradoodles, Bernedoodles, Sheepadoodles… whatever the mix, Doodles are undeniably adorable—but their coats can be a wildcard. Some are curly, some are wavy, and some are straight with a double coat. And, it’s not uncommon to find a mix of all three on one dog! That’s why Doodle grooming is never one-size-fits-all.

Popular Doodle Styles:
Doodles have a signature style that’s instantly recognizable—and let’s be honest, totally irresistible. The classic Doodle look is a full-body scissored trim that keeps the coat fluffy, plush, and evenly rounded all over. The head is shaped into a soft dome, the ears and tail are neatly styled for balance, and the beard is typically trimmed into a square or slightly rounded shape.

Of course, that’s just one of many options. Doodle coats are wonderfully versatile and can be styled in everything from low-maintenance short trims to fuller, stylized looks like the Puppy Cut, Teddy Bear Trim, a Poodle Cut, or even Asian Fusion-inspired styles—depending on your dog’s coat, your maintenance routine, and your personal preference.

Note extensive hand scissoring is a time-intensive, specialty service that requires a special price quote based on the length you’re going for and the condition of the coat.

Maintenance & Grooming Frequency:
Doodle coats can be high maintenance. Daily brushing at home is usually required to prevent matting, and most doodles need professional grooming every 4-8 weeks (depending on style and coat length) to stay clean, comfortable, and cute.

Despite what you may have heard, doodles can shed, do mat, and sometimes need to be shaved if their coat isn’t maintained properly. Their coats aren’t “set it and forget it”—they require consistent care and maintenance. But, with the right routine, your doodle can rock any look (and feel good doing it)!

Poodle Styles

Customizable looks for smart, stylish pups.

Poodles are known for their intelligence, elegance, and yes—their fabulous coat. Whether your poodle sports tight curls, soft waves, or something in between, their coat opens the door to all kinds of stylish possibilities—from easy-to-maintain pet trims to more elaborate scissor styles.

Popular Poodle Styles:
Short, practical pet clips, fluffy teddy bear looks, lamb trims, modified breed trims, clean feet and face with sculpted legs, and classic show-style cuts for pet parents who want that iconic poodle flair. Whether you’re going for low-maintenance or high drama, we’ll find the perfect cut to suit your dog’s coat, personality, and lifestyle.

Note that extensive-hand scissoring and elaborate poodle trims are time-intensive, specialty services that requires a special price quote based on the length and style you’re going for, as well as the condition of the coat.

Maintenance & Grooming Frequency:
Poodle coats are medium to high maintenance and benefit from professional grooming every 4–8 weeks, depending on style and coat length. Daily or near-daily brushing at home is recommended, especially for longer styles or active dogs.

Hand Stripping

For pet parents that want the real deal.

Hand stripping is a traditional grooming technique used to maintain the texture and color of wire-haired coats. Instead of clipping the hair, which can soften and dull the coat over time, hand stripping involves gently plucking the dead hairs by hand or with specialized tools. This allows new, healthy hair to grow in naturally—preserving the correct texture, vibrant color, and skin health.

Best For:
Hand stripping is typically reserved for dogs with wiry-coats, like terriers, as well as some spaniels and working breeds. It’s not suitable for dogs with soft coats. Genetics, spaying or neutering, age, and previous clipping can all lead to a softer coat that isn’t ideal for hand stripping, even in breeds that are hand stripped traditionally.

Maintenance & Grooming Frequency:
Hand stripping is usually done about twice a year, depending on your dog’s coat type and growth cycle. Timing is crucial because hand stripping should only be done when the hair growth cycle has passed the “Resting” phase, just as it starts to shed naturally (the “Fallout” phase). You may need to do some brushing at home between appointments, depending on your dog’s coat type and lifestyle.

Good to Know:
Hand stripping is a time-intensive, specialty service that requires a special price quote based on breed and size. However, it’s a much gentler process than it sounds. It mimics how the dog’s coat would be maintained in the wild and most dogs don’t mind the process, as long as it’s done at the proper time. That said, it’s not the right fit for every dog or owner, and not all coats are suitable. If you’re curious whether hand stripping is a good option for your pup, just ask—I’m happy to evaluate their coat and walk you through the process.