Trim the Rear Short...

[ferret]

I groom a lot of older dogs that have long hair on their rears. Such as, Goldens, Shelties, Pomeranians etc...I was taught years ago to just even them up, give them a natural look. But, with a lot of older dogs, people don't want that long hair on their butts because its just a poop magnet for a lot of these senior dogs. What do you do to trim them shorter so the dingle berries aren't a problem anymore? I have been trimming the rear short on my own Sheltie/Border collie mix for a while now because she's 15 and doesn't always have pleasant bowel movements. I just scissored the rear much shorter, but sometimes I just don't like the way it comes out. Still looks rough or choppy. I know my dog could care less, but I care a lot. What techniques do you use to get a nice rounded rear end? I also usually have to trim/or clip the underside of the tail so it doesn't get poop on it too. Just about 4 inches or so off the under side of the tail....help me!

[CountryCanines]

Most of my "rears" are scissored after taking some down w/ a guard or skimming it w/ a 7f blade. What type of scissors are you using? I love doing butts! I wish I had some pics of some I had done.......I normally dont photo that area though! LOL

[jovi]

I make a "poop chute" I trim real close down from anus at a width as wide as the tail base and I take it all the way down the rear area. Does that make sense? On Goldens and poms I leave the rear feathers natural but if they are real bushy I will take out the bulk with thinning shears and make it lay nice and even to match a smooth rear. I hope this makes sense.

[lbboop99]

Do you have a Clipper Vac or somthing similar? I put a 10 blade on my clippers and turn on the Vac, close the regulator and keep skimming the hind area until I am satisfied. I think it leaves a nice finish. Short but effective.

[cattledawg]

We do what we call a potty patch just a blade square around the anus or if owners want more a potty trail, which is from anus all the way to between the legs then scissor the feathers apart to clear the way.

I prefer to use a snap on comb to whatever length is prefered so if you get those that all of a sudden decided to slam there butt on the table you don't take off half the feathers in one swipe, snap ons are more forgiving.

[workingchihuahua]

i have alot of elderly dogs where the owners want the butt gone. i use anyway from a 2 to a E clip on depending on size of dog and how much hair to be left. most often is a O clip

[diamienono]

I make a poop path too but with a 10 and I also do the underside of the tail cauz I find with old hairy dogs they poop on their tails too. Then I skim their buts with my clippers or I scissor them.

[Allan]

Like Jovi,I make a "chute" using a #30 blade real close and tight to 'you know where' and then I scissor to blend from the outside in(Goldens,Poodles,Maltese,Bischons)

[happy trails]

We had a client that had an old pom she use to tell us to shave a racing stripe on his rear as his stools were loose.

[bullylover21]

Scissor or skim with clippers to the desired length and then use your thinners to get a natural look. If its still really poofy back there do some bulk thinning and then top thin.

[furrybestjob]

I'll use a long comb to shorten the feathering and make it even. On some of them it looks really cute....like they have little butt cheeks. lol

[PAWS]

I use a #10 from the anus down to almost the lower groin. I only do a width of the blade. Then, I use it from the anus up (on the underside of the tail) to match the length of the bottom clip. I will clip from the anus out, on either side just enough to match the width of the "path". I do this at the end of the groom, then round off the ridges that form on either side of the "path" to a tidy shape. With the tail down, it looks normal and full from all angles. If they want the ENTIRE bum short, I will just scissor gradually until the length is right and blends well with the surrounding coat.

[rapuzzled]

We get a lot of these requests. It can be hard to get a nice blended look because you have a long body with a short rear, and it can look a little silly if they want it really short. Some I have to take the back of the back legs as short as a seven! but most I will take an A or B comb too, then scissor the strays. A lot of the times I will also take a seven and shave out the rear and the inner thighs.

[Helly]

I use a 10 directly around the anus, around the vulva on females, and the underside of the tail. Then I usually use a 7 directly down from the anal area and down the inside of the thighs. I switch to a 3 to clip the rest of the thigh. If the coat cooperates, I'll leave a bit of longer furnishings on the outer thigh.

[RevWind]

I skim with the Moser on about a 30 or 40. You have to have a steady hand and a steady DOG! If it's moving around, you're liable to chop the whole butt area off. Otherwise, I use scissors to trim.