Which dogs can get a Doggy BBL?

Is it about breed or coat?

Coat. The trim is a sculpture made of hair, so what matters is whether the hair is dense enough to hold an edge and long enough to round off. Breed only tells you what coat to expect. Two doodles from the same litter can have very different coats.

Which coats work best?

• Curly and woolly coats: poodles of every size, bichon frises, and poodle crosses with a tight curl. These coats grow continuously and stand up when fluff dried, which is why most sculpted styles are done on them. The trim became famous on a standard poodle.
• Thick double coats: Pomeranians and similar spitz types. The outer coat can be scissored into a round shape at the tips. The coat should be shaped, never clipped close. See the safety note below.

Rounded hips are not new to poodles. The traditional continental show clip leaves a round rosette of coat over each hip. The Doggy BBL is a bigger, pet-salon take on the same idea.

Which coats are harder?

• Wavy or loose doodle coats. They can be shaped, but the rounds are softer and drop sooner between grooms.
• Silky drop coats such as a Maltese, Yorkshire terrier or shih tzu. The hair wants to hang flat. A skilled groomer can build some roundness on a well-dried coat, but it will not look like a poodle.
• Thin or sparse coats, including some older dogs. There may not be enough hair to make the shape look full.

Which dogs cannot have one?

Short, smooth coats: Labradors, beagles, boxers, French bulldogs, pugs, dachshunds with smooth coats, and similar. There is nothing to sculpt. No groomer can add hair that is not there.

A caution for double-coated dogs

Groomers and vets generally advise against clipping a double coat short. On some dogs the coat grows back patchy or with a different texture, which groomers call post-clipping alopecia. For a Pomeranian or similar dog, a Doggy BBL should be scissored into the outer coat only. If a salon proposes to shave the body short to make the rear stand out, say no.

How do I know if my dog is ready?

• The coat over the hips is at least a few centimetres long when brushed straight out. Your groomer will tell you the length they need.
• You can get a comb through the coat to the skin everywhere, with no tangles.
• Your dog is comfortable standing on a grooming table for a longer appointment.
• The skin is healthy. Sort out any itching, redness or hot spots with your vet first.

If the coat is too short today, ask your groomer to leave the hips longer at the next two visits. Then read how to ask your groomer for a Doggy BBL.

Common questions

Can a goldendoodle or labradoodle get a Doggy BBL?

Often, yes. Doodles with a tight, curly coat hold the shape well. Looser, wavier coats give a softer shape that needs tidying more often.

Can a Pomeranian get a Doggy BBL?

Yes, if the outer coat is scissored into shape and the body is not clipped short. Clipping a double coat close can change how it grows back.

Can a short-haired dog get a Doggy BBL?

No. The shape is made from the dog's own coat, and a short, smooth coat does not have enough length to sculpt.

How long does the coat need to be?

Long enough to round off over the hips, which varies with the size of the dog. If it is too short, leave the hips to grow for one or two grooming cycles.