Dog Grooming Style Guide
The Sporting Clip is a practical, athletic trim designed for active sporting and working dogs. The body is trimmed to a short, even length — typically one inch or less — while feathering on the ears, chest, legs, and belly is neatened and shaped rather than removed entirely. This preserves the breed characteristic silhouette while keeping the coat manageable for dogs that spend time outdoors, in water, or in the field. Originally developed for hunting dogs like English Springer Spaniels, Cocker Spaniels, and Irish Setters, the Sporting Clip has become popular with any breed that has natural feathering. For Poodles, the Sporting Clip is a clean, sophisticated alternative to show clips — the AKC allows it in certain performance events. The body is clipped evenly, the legs are scissored to blend, and the topknot and tail are shaped naturally. This is an excellent "between shows" or "retired show dog" style. Maintenance is moderate: weekly brushing of feathered areas and professional grooming every 6-8 weeks.
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