Is a "Lion Mane" Show Poodle Puff Style Grooming Possible at Home? ?

Question

Is it possible to maintain a Lion's Mane style for a toy poodle at home? I would love to keep my dog's professional style. I'm ready to purchase the tools, but wonder if this is possible. I love the look and would like to maintain it, if possible. Suggestions, experience, advice, etc. is really appreciated.

I sincerely thank you all in advance...

Answer 1

Ask your groomer if she will teach you to groom your dog, for pay.  

Then ask what equipment she uses. It would be worth buying the professional brands (scissors- like double duck or whatever she or he uses, both straight and curved), professional clippers (not pet store ones which are not that cheap but do not work.) A dryer that blows the water out and straightens the hair.  Love this tool! Makes the work so much easier.  It would also be easier if you get a grooming table with arm and loops if needed.  A slicker brush (whatever your groomer recommends.)  Depending upon the color of your dog, there are products that can brighten the coat.

It would be a worthy investment to get professional equipment and pay to learn how to do it yourself because what you pay for grooming would pay for the equipment in a pretty short amount of time.  If your groomer teaches you, she can also show you how to maintain your equipment and what products you'll need to do that, and hook you up with a blade sharpener.

Have fun!

I definitely would not waste any money on pet store equipment or cheap scissors.  

Answer 2

It sure is possible.

I don't know all the tools you'll need, but I know a few.

You'll need a universal brush (basically a curvbacked slicker)

and a metal medium corse comb, with wider spaced teeth at one end, and at the other, narrower spaced teeth.

You first take a leg, for instance, and brush the hair forwards, and then back, with the universal.  Then you take your comb, and you carefully, layer by layer push the comb down through the coat, then tilt it paralel to the surface being brushed, and bring it straight out.   This, if done properly, will not permit you to miss any tangles.

You'll also need a good clipper in order to keep the shaved spots bare.

And an array of scissors, for keeping everything nice and round.

Remember to always brush, and pet your dog agains the grain of the coat.

Answer 3

That is a difficult clip to do.  Most groomers don't do it unless they are the owner of a show poodle or work for a fancy grooming shop where these fancy clips are done.  It will be very difficult for you to do if you have not done any grooming.  It usually takes a groomer several years to learn how to do it correctly without scissor marks.

You may like the looks but the up keep is constant.  To keep that look for shows the coat is protected by wrapping the coat in bunches so it does not tangle.  So the dog dose not always look so fancy.

It is a very high maintenance clip & requires hours & hours of maintenance.  Brushing & combing daily & clipping on a regular basis.

It requires a lot of experience.  Years before you get it right.

Answer 4

I just followed the lines of when my dog was groomed by a professional.  I have been doing this for 5 years now.  Just trim where they trim.  This link also tells you how to do it yourself.

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