How To Give Your Dog A Haircut

If you’re a pet parent with a passion for style, then giving your dog a haircut (or having it done by a professional dog groomer) is probably already one of your favorite activities. If you’re a pet parent with a passion for something else, your dog still needs a haircut. What kind of haircut to give your dog is a personal decision every pet parent has to make for themselves—but we can give you some guidance.

How often should I give my dog a haircut?

Keeping that coat fresh and trimmed is an essential part of dog grooming. Short haired and medium haired dogs, for example, typically require regular maintenance in this department, whereas long haired dogs need more frequent brushing, but can get away with getting a haircut less often—most groomers recommend a trim in the summer to keep them cool, and skipping it in the winter when they need their fur to protect them against the cold.

Age is also a factor. You should start grooming your puppy at about 10-12 weeks old, but let them get used to the basics of grooming first—bath, brushing, and nail trimming—and save the haircut for later. A dog’s first experience being groomed will effect their attitude towards grooming their whole life, so do your best to make it a calm, pleasant experience.

Older dogs, on the other hand, should be given haircuts infrequently. This is for the simple reason that senior pet citizens, like senior citizens of the human variety, have a harder time warming themselves. A thick coat will keep them comfortable and cozy.

What kind of haircut should I give my dog?

The appropriate cut depends on the breed and lifestyle of your four-legged companion. Your local pet groomer will be able to personally consult you on the best style for your dog, but in the meantime, here’s a quick rundown of five tried-and-true cuts to consider rocking:

• The All Over. Clean and simple, the All Over cut (or Even Cut) is a basic trim that gets your furry friend in, out, and looking sharp.
• The Cocker Style. Don’t be fooled by the name—this cut looks great on most medium haired breeds. Closely trimmed on the top with a fuller skirt and legs, the Cocker Style will make your pooch’s coat look luscious, but not showy.
• The Lamb Cut. In the words of Agnes Gru, “IT’S SO FLUFFY!!!” Snuggly little dogs and lambs are two of the cutest animals known to humankind, so with a name like the Lamb Cut, this style does not disappoint.
• The Lion Cut. A more daring look, this style is fierce when done well. (And hilarious when not link funny haircuts post.) It’s not too hard to imagine what the Lion Cut entails in the body, head, and neck department, but a tip to pull off a really eye-catching look is to leave the fur around the ankles long, as well.
• The Schnauzer Cut. Like the Cocker Style, the Schnauzer cut isn’t limited to breed. It’s a look that emphasizes contouring of the fur around the ears, cheeks, eyes, and mouth to give your furry companion a dignified look. If you are a connoisseur of facial hair or feel your heart flutter when faced with an exceptional beard, the Schnauzer Cut will definitely strike your fancy.

Then, of course, there’s what can affectionately be referred to as “doggie style grooming”. These are the kinds of cuts that give you and your Fluffy, Rover, or Maxine the chance to really work your stuff, be it as best of the show, best of the internet, or best of the neighborhood dog park. With all-natural dog shampoos and dyes that won’t damage or irritate canine skin, the only limit is your imagination.

The Holy Grail of doggie style grooming is creative dog grooming: the genre of canine styling that transforms your dog into something so much more. Creative dog grooming is now the basis of competitions across the world, bringing together furry competitors artfully sculpted into things like camels, giraffes, the likeness of Jack Sparrow, and an acid-inspired vision of a summer garden.

How much does a dog haircut cost?

Like with most things in the human world, how much you pay for your dog’s haircut will depend on where you go and what kind of cut you want. If you need help to find a local dog groomer, websites like Homeguide can help you out.

You can usually expect to pay anywhere from $30 to $90 for a standard cut, depending on the size of your dog and length of hair. More involved styling and creative grooming, on the other hand, is a bit more of an investment—oftentimes in the upper hundreds.

Alternately, if you want to try your hand at DIY dog grooming, a standard clipper set on Amazon will put you out about $20 to $30. However, if you haven’t been trained on how to properly give your dog a haircut, it’s best to leave this job to the experts to avoid accidental injuries (Not sure how to choose a great groomer? Read this.

Whatever kind of cut you decide on, the most important thing is that your dog feels comfortable. And once you’ve got that great look, don’t forget to share it on the Petcube Livefeed!