How Do I Decide on the Type of Trim Needed for a Poodle?
Up to about 9 months of age, poodles are traditionally styled in a puppy clip: an even, allover trim that 
resembles the coat of a lamb. Many owners continue with this lamb clip, especially for white or black poodles. An alternative is the Dutch clip, where the hair on the legs is left longer than that of the body. The best known style for Poodles is the lion clip, which was reportedly developed by the French queen Marie Antoinette, and is universally used for show purposes. The coat is left long from the head to the end of the rib cage, and the rest of the body is closely shaved, apart from the decorative pompoms present on the legs and the tail.