Clip Hair Extensions

The important thing to consider is the reason that you want the style in the first place.  Whether it will be for functionality, for breed standard, or maybe just to start a new trend with an original modified style that you put together on your own.

Functionality

This may be your only choice if your pet is in need of relief from heavy matting and long hair that is over-grown and too thick.  You may want to also keep a low-maintenance short look if you do not have time to brush out your pet every day, or you would like your pet to feel more comfortable in the summer. During the winter, one solution would be to let your pet wear a sweater until the hair grows out (which usually takes about 2 1/2 – 3 months).

The “Furminator Treatment” is a great alternative to the “shave down” to decrease shedding. The Furminator Shedding tool used is extremely effective in removing at least 70-80% of the loose undercoat after grooming, leaving a noticeably thinner topcoat.  Since pets shed over time and not “all at once” it may take a few treatments every 4-6 weeks to keep the undercoat under control.  The second part of the treatment consists of a bath using the Furminator Shampoo and Conditioner formulated with all natural ingredients.

Some “Terrier” and “Spaniel” cuts can be modified so that the skirt is scissored shorter than breed standard making it easier to maintain and to keep a “fluffy” look that stays free of debris.

Breed Cuts

It is important to do your research on breed standards for your particular breed.

Keep in mind that there is a different cut for a “pet breed cut” than for the “show breed cut”.

Show trims can be slightly higher in price and usually require hand plucking (link and explain), blending and hand scissoring instead of using the blade set and pattern of the pet breed trim. The goal aspired to achieve in a “show” trim is to maintain the natural flow of the hair growth into a softer outline, rather than visible patterns and solid harsh lines in the “pet” breed trim.

Modified Styles

Modified styles are all about creativity.  Some pet owners prefer a completely different style than what is normal for their pet’s breed.  For example, a Schnauzer trim can be done on a Yorkshire Terrier.  Many different breed cuts can be combined to make one unique style.

Another example could be a Cocker Spaniel with a Cocker Spaniel head, but with a Poodle Lamb Cut on the legs.

Poodle and Labradoodle owners sometimes request a “teddy bear” trim instead of the breed trim just for something cute and different.

For longhaired cats and dogs such as Chow Chows, you can also choose a Lion Cut.  This cut resembles a real lion, leaving the scruff larger around the head down to the middle of the chest, with the rest of the body shaved closely.  The legs are slightly fluffier (with what are called boots). The tail is usually shaved down to the tip on the very end.  This cut is extremely low maintenance.

Still even more creatively you can use stencils, gels, sprays, colors, and “human” styles on your pet.  A popular style is the “Mohawk” either on the top of the pet’s head or down the entire back of the body.

Some things you may want to focus on are:

Ears – If you have problems with getting food or tangles in them you may want to have them short for easy care.  Be sure to notify the groomer of any ear infections, allergies, or sensitivities.  Special products can be used to clean and dry the ears inside.  The ear products used can only routinely clean and dry the ears, and cannot be used as a substitute for an ear flush and possible medical treatment that may be needed for chronic ear problems.

Head / Top knot – Try to take into consideration as to whether you normally keep the topknot hair in a barrette or rubber band and never down, or if you would rather have the hair to fall naturally into place without getting into the eyes.

Let the groomer know if you would like the head to be rounded, blended into the body, larger and more pronounced, or a specific shape (a terrier head is squared off instead of fluffy and rounded, etc.).

Tail – When clipping a pet short there are different tail shapes that you may want to consider such as a cipher, carrot, slick to the tail, or gradually blended natural tail.

Paws – Especially with poodles, try to be as specific as possible if you want closely shaved poodle feet or “teddy bear” feet, and if you would like the toenails showing or not.

Nails – There are several things to think about with toenails.  Some nails have “quicks” that have grown out extremely long and cannot be cut short without bleeding.

(Ask your groomer to check them).  If this is the case, the quicks will have to be cut back short and cauterized at a veterinarian’s office.  After this is done- regular nail trims will have to be done to maintain the nail’s shortness so that it does not reoccur.

To soften sharp edges after clipping the nails, you can request filing or dremeling them to a rounded edge.  Dremeling keeps the nails short 30% longer than just nail trims alone.  It also prevents nail cracking, injuries from scratching and damage to hardwood floors.

Skirt Length – When making a decision on the length of the skirt, consider the time that you have available to spend brushing and combing out the pet.  A long flowing skirt is beautiful, but not practical if you can never have the time to maintain it.  A shorter skirt can be just as beautiful and easier to care for.

Skin – Give the groomer a “heads up” on the pet skin’s condition and if you would like a flea, conditioning, or medicated treatment added to the bath.  Allergic pets will only worsen if you do not communicate sensitivities to the groomer ahead of time so that they can use only hypoallergenic products.  Spa treatments can only help soothe the skin and are not capable of “curing” skin ailments that require veterinary care.

Teeth – A routine dental check up by a veterinarian is necessary for beautiful healthy teeth. Regular brushing during grooming appointments is an excellent preventative measure..

Bringing a picture of the style that you want for your pet is helpful, but remember that the groomer cannot be a miracle worker.  Don’t be shy about the explaining the desired “look” that you would like your pet to have.  Most groomers love a challenge, or to try something different.  They will consider all of the factors involved (condition of the pet, timeframe, and work involved) and help come to a reasonable compromise between your expectations and what is possible.

During the cooler months, I tend to let my children’s hair venture a bit past the neck and edge toward shagginess. Since we live in California, our coldest part of winter is pretty short lived before the bright sun and warmer days begin to emerge. It is at this time we journey to the beautician to break free of our ‘winter coat’. A short while back, I realize that the colder days are coming to their early close and my son’s hair was long overdue for a bit of a trim. Therefore, a tidy hair cut became priority number 1 on the next day’s agenda. Unfortunately, the beautician was out of town on an international vacation. So, feeling a bit adventurous, I took a quick look at his bangs and thought “how hard could it be…?”

Ask any adult and they usually have a tale to tell about when they were privy to an overzealous haircutting sibling or when they decided to makeup their own doo. In addition and ironically, most of these journeys of beautifying oneself came shortly before picture day. I remember my own first cut. It started with me, scissors and handful of hair from the right side of my head. It ended with my mother, her hand on my backside and threats of doom if I ever did it again. And yes, it was the day before pictures. There must be a time when a child passes this haircutting rite of passage and goes on to lead a normal life free of urges to take scissors in hand. But, what about when later in life, that same child who is now an adult has a momentary lapse of reason and becomes a parent thinking that an omission of beauty school is of no consequence…and then proceeds to deliver a hack, chop and “Uh-oh! We need the clippers” fleecing on their innocent little one’s noggin? Yep, you guessed it! But, let’s rewind moment so that I can walk you through that night.

I dug out my hair clippers with the colorful variety of blades. I chose what I thought would be a thick forgiving clipper, allowing the child to keep a good inch or so of hair. I was gentle around the ears and pretty careful around the neck. Everything was going great until I hit the bangs. Attempting to go with the flow of the hair, I began at the part. Amazingly, I observed a lop of my son’s hair falling to the floor as it was shorn almost clear down to the scalp. Yet, as I followed along with the wave of his hair, the clippers would only cut slight sprigs and strands of hair along the rest of the stroke. Although I could tell that I had things a bit uneven, I pursued the styling with snips from the scissors here and there, a couple more quick zaps from the clippers and at last, and to my pleasant surprise, his hair looked pretty well groomed. I congratulated myself and figured we could spare the extra dollars for the three individuals in our family that regularly visit the hair salon.

The notion was short lived however when my son awoke the next morning. After he was dressed and ready for school, I took comb and gel in hand. I smoothed and I stroked, lifted and scrunched and attempted to work that little head of hair for many moments until I finally realized that it was uneven, crooked, quite a mess and totally uncool. It was a blessing that my young man was still in the early years of grade school. Had this happened any later in his life as a lad, I firmly believe he would have refused to go to school until an urgent meeting with some stand-in hairdresser was called to order. But, lucky for me, he was happier to be rid of his shaggy bangs than he was peeved at his uneven cut.

A couple days passed and we were counting the hours until Lee resumed her position back at her barber’s chair to bring harmony back to my son’s earnest head. Another lesson has been learned. As a mom, maybe I can scare away the boogeyman. I can also make a mean chocolate chip cookie and bring clarity to math homework. There are plenty of skills that I can confidently present to my kids; however, my jack of all trades ability stops cold at bringing order to an overgrown head of hair. This is fine with me. Lee is happy because she has a solid position in our monthly budget as hairstylist. My sons are happy because they can add another subject to the list of women in their lives who pamper them. And me…I am just happy because this story allows me another one of those sobering and harmlessly humorous moments that brings a smile of acceptance to my imperfect life as a mom.