Different Strokes for Different Folks: Understanding Variations in Everyday Trims

Elevate Your Grooming

Understanding Variations in Everyday Trims

A brown doodle-type dog standing happily on a black grooming table after getting a clean, short haircut at a grooming salon.

A close-up of a small Shih Tzu with a fresh teddy bear trim sitting calmly on a grooming table against a grey wall.

by Blake Hernandez
Photos provided by Blake Hernandez

n grooming salons everywhere, everyday trims tell a more nuanced story than people realize. From full clip-offs to short bodies with long legs and carefully scissored heads, each haircut reflects the dog in front of the groomer, but also the hands shaping the result. The same requested length can look different across coat types and sizes, while variations in technique, training and personal aesthetic influence the final finish.

The Family of “4’s”

Fig 1.) Groomed by Sarah Yagi: The #4 all-over trim is a staple for the clients who like short but don’t want to see skin. This is a medium-sized doodle so the result is more of the crushed-velvet length and feel. This haircut is the same length over the entire body and, in most cases, could last 10-12 weeks between full haircuts with a bath recommended the final 4-6 weeks.

Fig. 2) Groomed by Sydney Porras: This #4 with scissored legs has a much fuller appearance of the body. The smaller a dog is, the longer each blade length will look when compared to a larger dog. Because this dog’s coat falls and drops, it is important to blend off into the legs the same direction the hair grows. A nice solid bevel at the bottom of the foot will help support the long draping coat from getting too filthy too fast. The head is a mix between a clipper length on top and a hand-scissored fore face. While the dog is smaller, the trim is more stylized and would take nearly as long as the simple all-over trim on the previous dog.

A white West Highland White Terrier standing on a black table, showing off a classic, neat breed-standard haircut.

Fig. 3) Groomed by Blake Hernandez: This trim is somewhere between the previous two. The body is still clipped in a #4 and the head is longer, set entirely with a 5/8” guard comb and trimmed into a tight, clean circle. And while this varies a bit from what the breed characteristics would call for, the ears are not tipped due to client request.

A golden doodle sits patiently on a grooming table, looking up into the camera with fluffy ears and a freshly trimmed coat.

Fig. 4) Groomed by Rosa Monroy: This trim is a true half-inch all over aside from the ears and tail. A medium-sized doodle can wear this haircut and look slightly fluffy to satisfy the client without being super high maintenance. Trims like these can last 5-9 weeks, depending on the dog and environment. This style choice is very common because the long feathering on the ears and tail almost trick you into thinking the haircut is fluffier and more stylized than it really is.

A grey and white poodle mix stands on a grooming table, showing off a clean clip with neatly rounded head and ear fur.

Fig. 5) Groomed by Natasha Hassany: This half-inch all-over trim simply deviates by having a much longer length on the head. The height of the topknot adds length to the dog’s neck when in profile and adds a little something special to the dog’s expression. The coat type here is super harsh but rather thin in density which can be fun to scissor but challenging to finish. This dog is slightly smaller than the previous dog, but the legs appear fuller, which is the illusion that is created by different-sized dogs in the same lengths.

Fig. 3) Groomed by Blake Hernandez: This trim is somewhere between the previous two. The body is still clipped in a #4 and the head is longer, set entirely with a 5/8” guard comb and trimmed into a tight, clean circle. And while this varies a bit from what the breed characteristics would call for, the ears are not tipped due to client request.

Half-Inched with Full Style

Fig. 4) Groomed by Rosa Monroy: This trim is a true half-inch all over aside from the ears and tail. A medium-sized doodle can wear this haircut and look slightly fluffy to satisfy the client without being super high maintenance. Trims like these can last 5-9 weeks, depending on the dog and environment. This style choice is very common because the long feathering on the ears and tail almost trick you into thinking the haircut is fluffier and more stylized than it really is.

Fig. 5) Groomed by Natasha Hassany: This half-inch all-over trim simply deviates by having a much longer length on the head. The height of the topknot adds length to the dog’s neck when in profile and adds a little something special to the dog’s expression. The coat type here is super harsh but rather thin in density which can be fun to scissor but challenging to finish. This dog is slightly smaller than the previous dog, but the legs appear fuller, which is the illusion that is created by different-sized dogs in the same lengths.

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A large, fluffy Bernese Mountain Dog stands happily on a purple-topped hydraulic grooming table inside a professional salon space.

The Big and Small Bread & Butters

Fig. 6) Groomed by Sami McCurdy: Bath dogs are considered the bread & butter clients at many salons. Completing them efficiently is the key to a happy and compliant dog. These big guys require lots of brushing and combing for coat and skin maintenance, but keep the trimming to a minimum if you want the dog to look beautifully natural when complete.

A close-up of a dark brown Shih Tzu with long, smooth ear hair and a freshly trimmed face standing on a grooming mat.

Fig. 7) Groomed by Blake Hernandez: Many owners realize their small dogs will need more baths due to being so low to the ground in order to keep their house clean. A professional bath between grooms requires not only the cleansing of the skin and coat but also a nice dusting of the feet and pads and an opening of the eyes. It should be a simple and stress-free groom.

A cheerful tan doodle mix with a perfectly rounded, fluffy head trim stands on a purple grooming table, tongue out.

A Fuller Frill

Fig. 8) Groomed by Maddy Marsh: This trim is 3/8” length on the body and 5/8” length on the legs with a fully scissored head. This allows for a mildly short-length trim that can last 6-8 weeks while keeping a style on the head that makes the dog look like a true stuffed animal. This trim will likely take longer than any of the others shown here and should be priced as such.

This variety of dogs goes to show that even when the request sounds the same, the outcome rarely is. A dog’s size, coat type and overall structure all play a role in shaping the final look, while the individual hand of the grooming artist brings its own interpretation to the work.

The result is not a single, standardized trim, but rather a range of real-life request variations. The reality is that a great groom is not just about technical ability; it’s about skill, artistry and the client’s vision aligning to create a finish that is Instagram-worthy.