The Teddy Bear Haircut

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Sometimes it’s hard for your clients to truly explain what they want their dog’s groom to look like.

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They don’t speak grooming language and that usually leads to a hard time interrupting your clients' needs and desires.

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Here’s one of those cute but confusing terms you probably have heard in your salon - The Teddy Bear Cut!

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The Teddy Bear Haircut is a popular grooming style that gives dogs a cute and fluffy appearance, similar to a teddy bear.
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Teddy bear and puppy cuts are essentially the same thing.

A puppy or teddy bear cut really only implies that the pet should look cute and cuddly with hair of a length similar to when they were a puppy.

Let’s help make things simple!

This guide will walk you through the steps to achieve this adorable look for your furry clients. 👇
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🐻 Why Do We Want These Dogs Lookin’ Like Teddy Bears?
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Learning the Teddy Bear Haircut is important for professional groomers for several reasons:
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• Client Demand: Many pet owners request the Teddy Bear Haircut for their dogs because it gives them a cute and cuddly appearance. Being able to offer this popular style can help attract and retain clients.
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• Versatility: The Teddy Bear Haircut is suitable for a wide range of dog breeds, both mixed and purebred. Groomers who know how to execute this trim can cater to a diverse clientele.
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• Business Growth: Offering specialized grooming styles like the Teddy Bear Haircut can set your grooming business apart from competitors, potentially leading to increased bookings and revenue.
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• Client Satisfaction: Providing a Teddy Bear Haircut that meets or exceeds a client's expectations can lead to satisfied customers who are more likely to return and recommend your services to others.
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• Skill Development: Learning the Teddy Bear Haircut involves mastering various grooming techniques, such as clipping, scissoring, and shaping. Developing these skills can make you a more well-rounded and capable groomer.
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• Artistic Expression: Grooming is an art form, and the Teddy Bear Haircut allows groomers to express their creativity by shaping the dog's appearance in a specific way while maintaining a cute and appealing look.

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You get the picture! In summary, mastering the Teddy Bear Haircut is important for professional groomers as it not only satisfies client requests but also enhances grooming skills, business potential, and overall client satisfaction, contributing to a successful and thriving grooming career.

Alright, alright, alright, but how do we execute this groom in real life???

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✂️ Executing The Teddy Bear Cut

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It’s now time to gather your tools…. Before starting, ensure you have the necessary tools, including clippers, different guard combs (sizes 1, 5/8, and 10), scissors, blending shears, and a slicker brush. Make sure your equipment is clean and well-maintained. (Duh!)
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• Bathe and Dry - Begin by thoroughly cleaning the dog's coat and ensure it's free of mats. Dry the dog completely before starting the haircut.
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• Clipper Work - Select the Right Guard Comb: For the body and legs, use a half-inch guard comb (size 1) to create an even length all over. If you want a longer look, you can opt for a 5/8 or 3/4 inch guard comb for flexibility.
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• Clipper Technique - Always follow the lay of the coat, moving the clippers with the direction the fur naturally falls. Make three passes over each area, ensuring smooth and even results. Apply gentle pressure to the clippers and use your non-dominant hand to position and stretch the dog's skin as needed.
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• Handling Tricky Areas -Be cautious with loose skin around the flank, armpits, and earlobes, as clippers can cause injuries if not handled carefully. Take your time with legs and feet, positioning the dog as needed for optimal access.
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• Head and Face - Switch to a 5/8 Guard Comb: To work on the head, switch to a 5/8 inch guard comb. Begin behind the dog's ear and move down the throat, chest, and legs, maintaining the same technique of three passes.
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• Eyebrow and Muzzle - For more defined facial features, trim the fur around the eyes to create eyebrows and shape the muzzle. Be cautious and gentle, keeping the dog comfortable throughout.
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• Cleaning the Eyes - If you're new to using shears and blending shears, consider using a #10 blade to gently clean the corners of the dog's eyes for a safer alternative.
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• Finishing Touches - For dogs with docked tails, use a #10 blade to create a clean outline around the tail base. For full tails, shape the fur around the base and let it plume naturally.
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• Feet - Maintain the foot on the table as much as possible when trimming, especially around the pads. Shape the hair on the foot to match the length of the leg hair for a consistent look.
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• Legs and Body - Continue tidying up any straggling hairs where the body hair meets the leg hair, ensuring a smooth transition.
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• Ears - Round and shape the ears to blend seamlessly with the head, creating a unified appearance.
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• Final Assessment - Once the grooming is complete, have the dog walk around to observe how the haircut looks in motion. This will help you identify any areas that may need further trimming.

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The Teddy Bear Haircut is characterized by a round, soft, and fluffy appearance and if you follow these tips, you’ll be sure to nail it and only get better with time. Attention to detail is key and you master this popular grooming style in a breeze, leaving your canine clients looking cute and cuddly.
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Looking for a full in depth grooming tutorial?
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We recently sat in at the salon with Ben Guilherme, owner / groomer of the Urban Dogg here in Dallas. You can watch the full detailed video on our YouTube Channel here:
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“CaNt YoU jUsT bRuSh It OuT¿” - Your Favorite New Customer 🤣🤣