Okay, so a close friend got a standard poodle, Max, a few years ago, and had NO IDEA what she was getting herself into with the grooming situation. The first time she took him to the groomer I accompanied her. She asked what haircut style she wanted, and she just stared at her blankly.
Standard poodle haircuts are kind of a whole thing. There are so many options beyond just “make him look cute, please” (which was literally what I said that first time).
After helping her look for pretty haircut styles for standard poodles online and looking into dozens of Instagram accounts, I’ve put together this collection of beautiful poodle haircuts that real people actually use on their dogs (not only the haircuts are beautiful but look at how gorgeous these dogs are!).
Some of them are beautiful, comfortable, simple and don’t require daily styling. And some are unique and delicate, guaranteed to turn heads.
Also, many of these cuts have official names, such as the Miami Clip, Continental Clip, or English Saddle Cut. But to be honest unless you are planning to become a groomer or prepare your dog for shows you probably won’t need to know them (and I’m planning on neither, so I’ve made up my own names!).
1. The Cloud Puff
This is basically what happens when you tell your groomer “just make her fluffy all over.” The fur stays rounded and poofy everywhere, and it’s super cute but gets matted fast if you’re not careful with brushing.
2. The Japanese Poodle Haircut Style
This honestly makes me want to squeeze this poodle! This Japanese groomer has created a unique style that makes the dogs look super cute and really different from how poodle usually looks. Here he has kept the poodle’s face round and fluffy instead of shaved, and his head’s hair super long, giving them that look between a cute lion and a teddy bear that’s ridiculously adorable. I’m guessing this is a puppy because he looks small.
3. Classic Haircut with a Bun
This is one of the classic haircuts standard poodles get, where the fur near the paws and tail stay long. The hair is long on the head as well, and you can play with it, maybe making a cute bun like this black standard poodle has.
4. The Practical Cut
I’d probably go for this cut if I had a poodle because I probably would not be able to deal with all the maintenance otherwise. It’s relatively short on the body but still fluffy and super easy to care for.
5. The Continental Cut
This is that fancy poodle haircut you see in movies with the pom-poms on the legs and tail. It’s gorgeous but seriously… who has time for that unless you’re showing your dog?
6. The Sporty Summer Trim
When it’s hot out but you still want your poodle to look stylish, this shorter cut is perfect. Max got this last summer, with his body clipped pretty close but leaving his ears and tail a bit poofier so he still looks like a poodle and not some weird skinny dog.
7. The Puppy Fluff
This is what my groomer calls the “don’t make him look like he’s been groomed” cut. It keeps the same similar lengths all over and looks super natural and adorable.
8. The Royal Crown
My friend’s black standard poodle has this cut with extra fluff on the head shaped kind of like a crown. She gets stopped constantly on walks by people asking about her dog’s “hairstyle.”
9. The Retro Lamb
This one reminds me of poodles from old movies. The legs stay super fluffy while the body is shorter, making your dog look kind of like a lamb with poodle hair.
10. The Practical Pom-Pom
My friend tried this on Max once, and it was actually pretty cute. It keeps those classic poodle pom-poms on the tail and ankles but without all the extreme shaving and sculpting of show cuts.
11. The Cozy Lion Cut
My groomer suggested this for winter, and it was perfect. The fur around the face and chest stays fuller (like a lion’s mane) while the body is trimmed shorter but not too short for cold weather.
12. The Minimalist Clip
This is for the days when you just cannot with the grooming anymore. It’s super short all over, and while your poodle might look slightly less poodle-ish, they’ll be so much easier to maintain.
13. The Shaved Face
The first time I saw this style was on a black standard poodle at an outdoor café. It has a clean-shaved face and feet but keeps the body fur at a moderate, manageable length.
14. The Playful Poof
Another friend’s poodle has this cut, and it’s hilarious in the best way. The head fur is left extra fluffy, giving a top-heavy look that’s weirdly adorable.
15. The Geometric Modern
I spotted this on Instagram and immediately saved it for whenever Max’s mom feels like giving him a fancy grooming. Instead of soft, rounded puffs, this style has sharper, more defined lines that look super contemporary.
16. The Cute Bear-Lion Crossover Haircut
This is a super cute haircut style if you want your standard poodle to look fluffy and huggable. Perfect haircut for winter or if you live in a cold area.
17. The Hollywood Glam
My groomer has a client who gets this ultra-glamorous style for her poodle. The fur is longer and part of it is shaped into waves that look like old Hollywood hair.
18. The Dutch Boots Haircut Style
This one makes me smile every time I see it. The legs have these adorable fluffy “boots” from the knees down while the rest of the body is trimmed shorter.
19. The Topknot Twist
My cousin’s poodle has this haircut style where the groomer goes all out with a creative topknot while keeping the rest of the fur in a practical shorter style. It’s like business on the bottom, party on the top.
20. The Scandi Simplicity
This modern style has been popping up at dog parks lately. It’s a uniform length all over that’s not super short but not fluffy either, with clean lines that showcase your poodle’s elegant shape.
21. The Fluffy Sheep Belly Cut
This one is similar to the classic cut with the pom poms on the feet and tail, but leaves the belly extra round and fluffy like a sheep. This apricot standard poodle looks adorable in it!
22. The Personalized Blend
This is actually what my friend settled on for Max after much trial and error. She takes elements from different cuts that work best for his coat texture and our lifestyle, creating a custom style that’s fashionable yet not completely difficult to maintain.
Choosing What Standard Poodle Haircuts Work For Your Dog (And You!)
After my friend tried at least half the styles on this list, I’ve learned that the best standard poodle haircut is one you can actually maintain between grooming appointments. No point in getting that perfect cut if it’ll look a mess in two weeks, right?
Think about how much you really want to brush your dog each week and what the weather’s like where you live.
Also consider your dog’s personality. Max refuses to sit still for brushing unless there’s peanut butter involved, so intricate styles are definitely not happening for him.
What standard poodle haircut do you use for your dog? Drop a comment below with a pic and inspire other poodle parents!
FAQ About Standard Poodle Haircut Styles
How often do I really need to get my standard poodle groomed?
In my friend’s experience, every 6-8 weeks works if you’re doing regular brushing at home. If you skip the brushing (guilty), you might need to go more like every 4-5 weeks to avoid major matting issues.
Are shorter cuts better for summer?
Absolutely! The first summer my friend had Max, she kept his fur too long and he was constantly panting and looking miserable. Now she does a much shorter poodle haircut in summer, and he’s so much happier.
Do black standard poodles need different haircuts?
Not really, but certain styles definitely pop more on dark-colored poodles. I think the shaved face style looks great on black standard poodles because you can really see the clean lines against the dark fur.
Can I trim my poodle at home to save money?
My friend tried this exactly ONCE during the pandemic. Let’s just say there’s a reason professional groomers exist. But you can definitely learn to do maintenance between appointments, like trimming around the eyes or feet.
Are some poodle haircuts more “boy” or “girl” styles?
Honestly, this is totally your preference. Some people think the fluffier, fancier poodle cuts look more feminine, but dogs don’t care about gender norms. Max has rocked both “masculine” and “feminine” styles and looked cute in all of them.
How do I explain what haircut style I want to my groomer?
Photos, photos, photos! I keep a folder on my phone of poodle haircuts I like. Also, be realistic about maintenance. Your groomer will love you if you’re honest about how much (or little) you’ll brush between appointments.
So save this pin for your next grooming appointment!
