By Kathy Rose
This “all over” trim can be adapted to many breeds but it is particularly cute on those Pomeranians that have the finer, less dense coat. The blade choice will be determined by the conversation that you have with your client.
For this model, a “0” snap on comb was used over a #30 blade. The entire dog is clipped with the “0”, with the exception of the headpiece and tail. Then a bit of blending with a “skim-scrape” technique followed by touch up with thinning shears, polishes the final outcome. A lightly scissored round head and tidied tail complete the style.
Becoming skilled with the use of a clipper vacuum system may take some time as well as some practice, but the smooth results and the time you save are well worth it. Although the attachments and hose may appear cumbersome, in actuality they add minimal weight and with proper technique you won’t even know they are there. Be sure to complete proper coat preparation and do not attempt to clip with snap-on combs until the coat is matt free and squeaky clean.
Fig 1: Stand to the rear of the dog. Start clipping on the back of the neck a few inches behind the occiput. Follow the coat growth direction and clip the body.
Fig 2: Leave a small triangle of coat at the croup (where the tail meets the body). Continue clipping over the rump and down the rear legs.
Fig 3: Support the hindquarters then clip the undercarriage, clipping against the coat growth direction.
Fig 4: Move to the front of the dog. Lift the longer facial and upper neck coat out of the way and clip the neck and shoulders all the way down between the front legs.
Fig 5: Lift the front leg and clip the entire leg. While the leg is lifted, clip the coat between the front legs and the undercarriage again.
Fig 6: As long as the knees and back are stable, trim the tummy area and genitals while supporting the dog by his front legs. Older dogs or dogs with back, leg or knee issues will require trimming without lifting.
Fig 7: Comb the coat up from between the toes. Use a very light “skim-scrape” technique with a #10 blade, to trim the excess fur on the paws. Do not shave the foot. Next trim the pads using a #30.
Fig 8: Use this same “skim-scrape” technique to trim the muzzle against coat growth direction, (base of muzzle to nose). Next, “skim-scrape” the cheeks and under the eyes following coat growth direction, (under eyes and cheeks to ear).
Fig 9: Use a #10 on the inside of the ears to the tip. Do not shave the backside of the ears.
Fig 10: Trim the hair around the rectum and blend with thinning shears.
Fig 11: “Tighten” the coat on the back and inside of the upper thighs with thinning shears or super blenders.
Fig 12: Use blenders or thinning shears to blend the triangle of coat left at the croup.
Fig 13: Blend the outside of the thighs.
Fig 14: Remove the stray hairs from the legs.
Fig 15: “Tighten up” the underline to form a smooth continuous curve following the natural underline of the dog.
Trim the stray hairs on the feet.
Use thinning shears to trim the ear edges and blend the back of the ear.
On the head, comb the coat down and shape with super blenders. Then comb it up and outward and shape again, contouring the entire headpiece in a round fashion.
Hold the tail out straight and comb the coat down. Tidy with super blenders.
This “same length all over” trim is very low maintenance and easy to execute. Learning some new techniques, such as the “skim-scrape” technique, may help to save time as well as help you to achieve smooth blending on a dense coat. Note that the clipper is actually held upside down. The #10 blade acts as a carding tool as well as a clipping tool. This is how the blending is achieved without actually shaving. This method of skimming is useful on many different trims that require blending. Give it a try when blending out the lines after shaving down a short-coated dog and see smooth results.
Your Bread & Butter clients will praise the results!