Asian dog grooming style

Kawaii is the name of an Asian dog grooming style. The word translates from Japanese as "cute" or "pretty," which captures the essence of the style. After a grooming session, dogs resemble soft toys, begging to be adorned with bows, decorated with jewelry, and photographed.

How and where did the style originate?

Groomers call it Asian, Korean, Japanese, or Teddy—all accurate terms. The style originated in Japan in the 1980s, when the anime industry spread throughout the country and enjoyed widespread popularity.

The service was soon tested and implemented by pet salons in South Korea. It appeared in Russia in 2006-2007, but it took three or four years for it to become popular. In late 2009-2010, a true "Asian boom" began in Russia: sushi, anime, clothing, cosmetics, beauty salons, and street food festivals became a staple of everyday life. Gradually, Japanese fashion reached dogs: groomers mastered the basics of Asian haircuts, got creative, and experimented with breeds and coat lengths.

What breeds is it suitable for?

Kawaii is an ideal option for Yorkshire Terriers, Maltese, Shih Tzu, Pomeranian, and other small breed dogs. Teddy grooming enhances their cartoon-like appearance, highlighting their playful nature and friendly nature.

This is how the Japanese and Chinese groom their poodles. The results are visible in the photo.

After the haircut, the poodle's muzzle becomes more voluminous, round, and fluffy, and the hair on the body is trimmed so that its soft contours make the dog look like a plush toy.

In the classic version, the groomer trims the hair on the face with a razor. In the Asian style, a razor is not used – the desired shape and length are achieved. with scissors.

Korean haircut technology

The doll-like muzzle is the key element of Teddy grooming. It's important to trim the hair so it holds its shape, doesn't become staticky, sticks out, or falls off after activity.

Salons pre-treat the coat using special anti-static products, conditioners, and hot blow-drying. All breeds should have their coats facing up or slightly to the side to make it easier for the groomer to achieve the desired shape.

Here are a few more general rules for all breeds:

1. In Asian haircuts, the hair on the animal's body and neck is removed with clippers.
2. The hair on the ears is left long and hanging. It can be very long, reaching below the neck, or moderately long, like on poodles.
3. The muzzle is trimmed only with scissors—the hairs should be straight and short. The round, plush noses—and in poodles, the crowns—contrast beautifully with the long ears.
4. Split hairs are removed from the paws while maintaining their length, although variations are possible. One such variation is to trim the hairs evenly to a medium or shorter length to create a visual resemblance to a plush toy.
5. You can also experiment with the tail: cut it, braid it, make a pompom or another interesting shape.

Long strands are decorated with bows and hairpins, braided, or tied into ponytails. The key is to ensure the haircut and styling match the pet's personality and appearance.

Not a whim, but a departure

In Asian countries, kawaii grooming isn't a whim of owners, but a classic grooming procedure. The Japanese take a responsible approach to pet care: most dogs visit grooming salons at least once a month. This is essential to ensure the dog looks attractive and their body hair doesn't mat, become dull, or break.

The owners constantly take care of their long locks: they regularly comb, wash, dry, and use cosmetics for dogs.

From round to square

The Japanese are innovators and love unconventional solutions. They didn't stop at round anime hairstyles and presented square Asian haircutsThe hair on the muzzle, ears, body and paws of dogs is trimmed into even cubes.

In square teddy grooming, symmetry is essential to ensure the four-legged client's appearance is perceived as cohesive and harmonious. Dog groomers demonstrated this cubic "know-how" at a show in Tokyo. It surprised and delighted clients so much that it became a new trend in dog fashion in the Land of the Rising Sun. Will it replicate its success in Europe? Time will tell.

Photographer Grace Chon has works dedicated to Asian haircuts. Here's what the dogs looked like before and after grooming:

Read also:

• Which dogs should not be groomed?
• Creative and unusual dog haircuts
• Dog grooming patterns by breed