To achieve a braided hairstyle for your Schnauzer, you'll first need to shave the fur on their back, leaving a strip of hair running from the back of the neck to the head. Then, trim the shoulder hair evenly, following the direction of the hair growth. Finally, shape the fur under the chin into a "V" shape. This will give you the basic braided look for your Schnauzer.
The Schnauzer's braided style focuses mainly on the back, head, eyebrows, and tail. After trimming, the Schnauzer will have a long braid down their back, resembling a horse's mane. This is why this style is often called the "pony" look.
Schnauzer Braided Hairstyle Tutorial
1. Back
Begin by brushing the hair on your Schnauzer’s back. Then, start shaving along the spine, going with the direction of the hair growth. Be careful not to shave it completely bare; leave about 1 to 2 centimeters of fur. Shave the back fur down to the legs and abdomen, while leaving a mane-like strip of hair at the back of the neck.
2. Head
When trimming the head for the pony style, use electric clippers and a comb to shorten the hair above the eyebrows, at the corners of the eyes, and at the base of the ears. Make sure to keep the hair from the top of the head to the spine for the mane.
3. Eyebrows
Don't shorten the eyebrows. Instead, use a comb to brush the eyebrows forward, creating a line parallel to the nose. Then, use scissors to trim forward. Starting from the outer corner of the eye, aim the scissors towards the center of the nose, intersecting the first trim and creating an inverted "V" shape.
4. Tail
When trimming the tail, hold it and use clippers to shave against the grain from the anus to the tip of the tail. Trim the fur on the hind legs down to the knee joint. This will complete the pony hairstyle.
Remember to hold your Schnauzer’s mouth when trimming the head hair and gently lift their head. Always hold their lips to prevent sudden movements and injuries. Also, don’t completely cut off their whiskers, as they are important for sensory perception. When trimming, don't point scissors toward their eyes to avoid accidental injuries.