If you’ve been keeping up with the latest trends in the grooming industry, then you’ve probably heard the terms “Japanese grooming” or “Asian styling”. It has captivated groomers around the world, sending them clamoring to sites like Pinterest, and to various chat boards on Facebook in an insatiable quest for photos and info. Asian styling seminars are being held nowadays all over the world in increasing numbers. But what exactly is it? Where did it come from?
In a nutshell, Asian styling is a creative grooming method that brings about a degree of fancy and humor in its goal to make the dog look like a stuffed toy. This style pays no attention to breed standards and corrective grooming is not a priority. It’s a look made up of ponytails, braids, weird moustaches and big ears! Asian style has lack of set rules and a freedom of creativity. The look is predominately seen in curly coated breeds such as the Poodle and Bichon and in drop coated breeds such as the Shih Tzu and Maltese. But Schnauzers and some Terriers make excellent candidates as well.
In many Asian Poodle styles, the dog will have columned legs and a very round muzzle. But wait, isn’t that what we’ve been doing to Poodles for decades? It sounds like a lamb trim with a donut moustache! Ahh, but here’s the difference. Those scissored legs are further tweaked to look like the limbs of a stuffed teddy bear by tapering the tops near the elbow and flaring the bottoms without the presence of clean feet. As for the muzzle, it differs from the standard donut moustache of old in that it is highly exaggerated in an effort to mimic the round nose of a toy bear. A sanitary area is carved directly between the eyes and slightly down the eye drainage areas. Then the muzzle is scissored into either an oval or “U” shape. This runs contrary to the traditional donut moustache which is characterized by a severe shave of the bridge of the nose and a triangular or upside down “U” shape to the muzzle.
In Shih Tzus, the goal of the style is to maximize cuteness rather than the glamor typically displayed with the breed’s signature breed profile.
Disguising structural faults in the dog in Asian styles often appear unbalanced to those used to corrective grooming. Whilst western grooming typically focuses heavily on the body and legs, the styles of the Far East are more concerned with the individual expression of the head.
Asian styles will also often ignore breed standards in a freestyle manner. The skirt on a cocker spaniel will be clipped off in favor of accentuating voluminous legs, a Maltese will be given clean feet, or a Poodle’s head will be sculpted to resemble a mushroom cap. A Schnauzer can be given a scissored topknot and little tassels at the tips of the ears. In these examples, the goal is to invoke a sense of comedy as well as beauty.
Now to answer where these styles come from. Duh, you say. Asia. Well yes, but did you know that the styles vary from region to region? In Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and Taiwan you will find many of the styles described above in addition to rule bending styles on poodles such as asymmetrical topknots, and Koala ears with blushing cheeks. Also a growing trend in Asia known as the “cone head”.
In South Korea, they have adapted a style all their own. They are known for their take on drop coats such as the Maltese, Shih Tzu and Yorkie. The body is shaved with the legs left fully coated in a long, flowing style. The topknot is usually pulled up, the cheeks and chin are shaved closely, accompanied by a tightly scissored “U” shaped muzzle. Pet clothing, in the way of sundresses, gowns, coats and capelets, is very popular overseas. As a fun and stylish way to interact with their pets, owners abroad stock whole closets full of accessories and clothes. Keeping the torso short allows the pet to wear these clothes on a daily basis without the fear of friction mats forming.
While these fashion forward canine hair styles may not be everyone’s cup of tea, photos of these fashionable doggies have been circulating the internet recently. I, for one, am a huge fan!
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