Miniature Poodle in Modified English Saddle Trim

The Modified English Saddle Trim is one of the most intricate trims in the Poodle world. 

The feet, face and tail base have already been shaved on this dog, and the basic Poodle pattern prep has been completed. The model dog is missing some hair on his rear legs from skin issues, but this trim does a good job of masking those imperfections.

Fig 1) To begin, use a curved scissor to shape a bevel from the toes up into the leg hair on all four feet. 

Fig 2) Place the bend of your thumb on the point of hock and etch in with your #40 blade. Follow that line in a 45° angle towards the front of the dog, keeping it thinner since it can always be widened. 

Fig 3) Using the elbow as a reference point, etch in a line parallel to the ground just above the elbow.

Fig 4) Shave from the elbow down to where the top of the front bracelet will be even with the top of the back of your rear bracelets.

Fig 5) For male dogs, start the straight horizontal line of the kidney patch just in front of the penis. This is placed halfway between the topline and tuck–up.

Fig 6) Next, use your straight scissor and the shave line at the elbow as a reference point to trim the hair on your underline even.

Fig 7) Combing everything down, trim off all hair that falls past your shave line and shape the rear of the dog upward into the topline.

Fig 8) Using a curved scissor, shape your knee bubble from the bottom shave line up into the top shave line, making sure to keep your inside and outside parallels in an “A” frame. 

Fig 9) Then, still using a curved scissor, trim the front bracelets from bottom bevel to the top to match that bevel. The outside parallel should not surpass the shoulder when viewed from the front. 

Fig 10) Using a straight scissor, trim a seamless transition from the shaved part of the neck to the coated portion. Then trim back and down in order to accentuate the length of neck and well laid–back shoulders. 

Fig 11) Trim a straight line from bottom to top at the front of the kidney patch in order to start building out your jacket and tailoring in your waist.

Fig 12) Next, trim a level topline from your tail band all the way until you are even with the front of your kidney patch (or the back of the jacket).

Fig 13) Trim the rear of the dog with a curved scissor from your shave line, rounding up and over and into your level topline.

Fig 14) After opening the eyes up for expression, you will then trim the ears to have no break above the ear and a short feathering. 

This intricate trim is sure to “wow” those Poodle clients wanting a more traditional “Poodle look” for their dog—or win you a placement in the competition ring! ✂️