Good pair Scissors, Good pair Thinning Scissors (At least 32 teeth), Stripping Knife, Guillotine or Nail Clippers (only to be used under supervision), Fine Tooth Comb, Large Tooth Comb,
Good Bristle Brush.

CLAWS

Using nail clippers or guillotine, clip claws taking care not to catch quick, which shows up as pink on the white nails. Do this under the supervision of an experienced person, until you feel you are able to do it yourself.

FEET

Then using your thumb, pull the hair up between the toes to the top of the foot

With scissors cut excess hair away, cutting downwards and towards toes (it is best to use thinning scissors for this job) After all excess hair has been trimmed sufficiently taking care not to trim too closely to the top of the foot.

With your thumb push the hair back down between the toes, and if necessary trim any bits which may now protrude underneath between pads, and trim around the feet giving them a cat like shape.

Finished Foot.

HOCKS

Hair will grow up the back of the foot to point of hock. This will need trimming neatly with thinning scissors. With thumb and fore-finger lift hair gently upwards so that any excess hair will stand out and with thinning scissors trim downwards towards feet using a slightly upwards pull on scissors as you trim. Do not remove too much hair from this area.

EARS

Lifting ear up over head holding with your other hand start by trimming excess hair away from ear channel. The underside of the ear may be done with clippers, but never the top of the ear as this may cause the hair to lose its colour. The idea is to take off enough hair under the ear to enable it to lie flat to the cheek. Remember again not to take off too much when first learning to trim, another job which takes time to perfect. (Thinning scissors are best for this job but you can use ordinary scissors only if you take great care not to cut any part of the channels which stand proud from the ear itself).

Using stripping knife, hold knife with 4 fingers leaving thumb free, lay blade over the ear catching just a little hair at a time between thumb and blade, start stripping hair away by using a downward pull and a twisting of the wrist to extract excess hair. You only extract enough hair until the ear looks smooth with just a bit of feathering showing.

You can also use thinning scissors for this job, again taking a small amount of hair each cut, and always cutting upwards.

Using thinning scissors trim lightly around edge of ear taking away whispy feathering. (The ear must always appear vine like in shape).

Finished Ear

WHISKERS
You may take these off if you wish, cut flush to the face.

Under part of neck down to breast bone is usually trimmed away as neatly as possible, using thinning scissors. Trim excess hair away by cutting downwards towards forelegs.

You want a natural neat finish, so don't be tempted to extract too much. Only trim down to breast bone and no further. Clippers may be used for this, but do ensure that if you are showing your dogs, this is done at least one or two weeks before a show so that the final look is as natural as possible.

Finished Chest

FEATHERING ON LEGS

This only needs attention if the hair is thick and has odd ends. Thin out with thinning scissors if necessary, and trim ends neatly with thinning scissors if required.

The feathering on this can grow quickly. Using thinning scissors, lift tail and any excess hair hangs downwards, thin off within 1/2 inch of tail end.

Finished Tail

Finished Grooming Job