How much coat?

[k2p1e]

I am thinking about going into competition sometime this year (big maybe). I know they usually like 6 weeks of growth but on the finished product, for a poodle, how much hair??

Am I looking at leaving an inch or less, on the back??? I am just looking for a guideline.

[snickerpoodles]

I am thinking about going into competition sometime this year (big maybe). I know they usually like 6 weeks of growth but on the finished product, for a poodle, how much hair??

Am I looking at leaving an inch or less, on the back??? I am just looking for a guideline.

You need inches of hair on the back, depending on the trim.

[lexapurple]

It depends on the trim you are doing and you dog.
Look up pictures of competition dogs in Groomer to Groomer mag or online and start practicing the trim you like the best. You will figure out how much hair you will need to leave on your dog to create correct profile. That is what judges are looking for.
At first competition I used purple WSS and it left too much coat and she looked fat.
On my mini, that I am growing out I scissor her her back down to about orange SS comb on some areas and go down as short as four over her loin. Her withers and neck are left much longer than that.

[k2p1e]

Well I did my guy with the purple wahl comb, 3/4" and had it critiqued and he was too bulky and and looked fat...so I will be taking him down to 1/2" on the advice from antoher groomer

[luvpups]

When I do my poodles I am using a #2 stainless on the back, and a 4 blade down the rear from the pinbone to the bend of knee. It is pretty short....in some areas. With that being said, it really depends on your particular dog, and what corrections to the dog's conformation you need to make. What trim are you doing on the dog? Did you post pics?