Puppy cut, teddy bear, kennel cut, lion cut: dog haircut names are confusing, and two groomers can mean slightly different things by the same word. This guide explains the most common types of dog haircuts in plain words, which coats each one suits, and exactly what to tell your groomer so your dog comes home looking the way you pictured.
Not sure which cut suits your dog's coat? Get a personalized haircut and brushing routine in the free 1-min quizStart the Pawfile quiz →- Most popular: puppy cut (short and even all over) and teddy bear cut (same body, rounder, fuller face).
- Shortest and easiest: kennel or summer cut, for busy owners and very active dogs.
- Say a length, not just a name: body, legs, face, ears and tail, in inches.
- Bring a photo of the look you want, ideally of the same breed.
- Double-coated dogs (Goldens, Huskies, Pomeranians, Shepherds) shouldn't be shaved down; ask for a deshed and tidy instead.
The most common types of dog haircuts
Puppy cut
One short, even length over the body, legs and tail, usually between half an inch and 1.5 inches, with a neat rounded face. It's the most requested cut for Shih Tzus, Maltese, Maltipoos, Yorkies, Bichons and doodles because it's easy to brush and stays cute. Full details in our puppy cut guide.
Teddy bear cut
Similar to a puppy cut on the body, but the face is left fuller and scissored round, with a rounder muzzle and fluffier legs, so the dog looks like a stuffed animal. Popular for doodles, Poodle mixes and Shih Tzus. It needs a little more brushing around the face. See the teddy bear cut guide.
Kennel cut or summer cut
The short end of the puppy cut: the whole body is clipped very short, often around a quarter to half an inch. It's the lowest-maintenance cut and a good reset when a coat is matted. It's practical in Florida heat for curly and silky coats, but even then, keep some length for sun protection rather than going down to the skin.
Lamb cut
Short on the body with fuller, scissored legs, so the dog looks like it's wearing fluffy pants. Common on Poodles and Bichons.
Lion cut
The body is clipped short while the head, chest and neck keep a full mane, often with a pom on the tail and fluffy feet. You'll see it on Shih Tzus, Poodles and Portuguese Water Dogs. It's sometimes requested for Pomeranians, but because they have a double coat, many groomers advise against clipping their body short.
Schnauzer cut
Short back and sides, longer "skirt" on the legs and belly, and the classic eyebrows and beard. Used on Miniature Schnauzers and often asked for on other wiry or mixed breeds. See the Miniature Schnauzer grooming guide.
Top knot and long styles
The hair on the head is kept long and tied up, sometimes with a full-length coat. Beautiful on Shih Tzus, Yorkies and Maltese, but it needs daily brushing. Most owners who don't brush daily are happier with a puppy cut and a short top knot.
Breed cuts
Traditional breed styles such as a Westie's rounded head, a Cocker Spaniel's skirt or a Poodle's sporting cut follow each breed's look. If you want one, say the breed's name plus "breed cut" and bring a photo. Doodle owners can compare looks in our doodle haircut styles guide.
Tidy up between cuts
Not every visit needs a full haircut. A face, feet and sanitary trim keeps the eyes clear and the paws clean between full grooms and helps the cut last longer. In our Boca Raton salon that's the Tidy Up.
Cuts that don't suit double-coated dogs
Goldens, Labs, Huskies, German Shepherds, Pomeranians, Corgis, Australian Shepherds and other double-coated breeds have an undercoat that insulates them from heat and protects their skin from the sun. Shaving them down can leave the coat growing back patchy and doesn't keep them cooler. For these dogs, ask for a bath, a deshed and a neat trim of the feet, ears, sanitary area and tail instead. Read can you shave a double-coated dog and our deshedding guide.
What to tell your groomer
- Name the cut and show a photo. A photo of the same breed with a similar coat is the fastest way to agree on the look.
- Give lengths in inches. Say how long you want the body, legs, face and ears, for example "half an inch on the body, a little longer on the legs, round face." Groomers may translate that into a blade or guard comb; as a rough guide, a #10 blade leaves about 1/16 inch, a #7F about 1/8, a #5F about 1/4, a #4F about 3/8 and a #3F about 1/2 inch, and guard combs leave more.
- Say how the ears and tail should look. Short, natural, or left long and feathered.
- Tell them about your routine. If you won't brush between visits, or your dog swims or goes to the beach, a shorter cut will look better for longer.
- Mention mats, sore spots and health issues. If the coat is badly matted, a groomer may need to clip short for your dog's comfort; trying to brush out heavy mats hurts. See how to get mats out of dog hair.
- Ask how often to come back. Most haircut styles need a groom every 4 to 8 weeks to keep their shape.
Keep the cut neat at home: Self-cleaning slicker brush · Steel comb set
Mango's guides: a happy coat between grooms
Printable PDF guides from our groomers, with Mango as your coach. Instant download after checkout, anywhere in the US. English and Spanish editions included.
- Mango's Starter Kit: Brushing Guide + Calendar · $19.99 (best value)
- Mango's Between-Visits Brushing Guide · $14.99
- Mango's Grooming Calendar & Checklists · $7.99
Popular cuts by breed
- Shih Tzu: puppy cut, teddy bear or top knot. See the Shih Tzu grooming guide.
- Poodle: puppy cut, lamb cut, or a sporting or show cut. See the Poodle grooming guide.
- Goldendoodle and other doodles: teddy bear or puppy cut. See the Goldendoodle grooming guide.
- Maltipoo: teddy bear or puppy cut. See the Maltipoo grooming guide.
- Yorkie: puppy cut or top knot. See the Yorkie grooming guide.
- Bichon Frise: rounded head with a puppy or lamb cut. See the Bichon grooming guide.
- Golden Retriever: no shave; a tidy trim and deshed. See the Golden Retriever grooming guide.
Not sure what your dog's coat is? Start with our dog coat types guide.
Not sure which cut suits your dog's coat? Get a personalized haircut and brushing routine in the free 1-min quizStart the Pawfile quiz →Dog haircut FAQ
What is the most popular dog haircut?
The puppy cut, a short and even length all over with a neat round face, is the most requested cut for small and curly-coated dogs. The teddy bear cut, the same idea with a fuller face, is a close second.
What's the difference between a puppy cut and a teddy bear cut?
Both keep the body short and even. A teddy bear cut leaves the face fuller and rounder and often the legs a bit fluffier, so it needs slightly more brushing around the face.
Is a kennel cut the same as a puppy cut?
They're close. A kennel cut (also called a summer cut) is the shortest version, often around a quarter to half an inch on the body, while a puppy cut usually leaves half an inch to 1.5 inches.
What should I tell my groomer?
Name the cut, show a photo, and give a length in inches for the body, legs, face and ears. Tell them how often you brush at home and about any mats or sore spots.
Can I give my Golden Retriever or Husky a summer cut?
It isn't recommended. Double-coated breeds use their coat for insulation and sun protection, and shaving can make it grow back patchy. Ask for a deshed and tidy trim instead.
How much is a dog haircut at Pawradise?
It depends on your dog's size, coat and condition, and every Pawradise bath and groom includes a nail trim and teeth brushing. See what affects dog grooming prices. New to our Boca Raton salon? Get $10 off your first groom with code PAWFILE10 (teeth brushing always included).
Haircut names vary from groomer to groomer, so always confirm the length and look before the appointment. More Pawfile guides.