Several dog breeds have tipped ears as part of their breed profile grooms. Yorkshire, West Highland White, and Cairn Terriers are some of the more common ones. Tipping the ears on fluffy mixed breeds that have pricked or semi-pricked ears can be a fun style, too.
In some breeds, it will specify that the top ΒΌ of the ear tip is to be trimmed; in others, it is the top 1/3 or even 1/2. When in doubt, check the breed standard to see what is required on the dog you are grooming. Larger dogs with more prominent ears generally have a larger trimmed/tipped area than smaller dogs or dogs with small ears for their size. The goal is to create a neat finish that helps show off the breed's perky expression and neatly blend often large ears into the head to create a pleasing balance.
To best achieve this goal, start with very clean fur. Because ears produce extra sebum and oils to keep the ear canal clean, the fur around the ears can sometimes look greasy and clumpy. By paying extra attention to this area while bathing, you can achieve a clean coat that separates nicely and stands up rather than hanging limply. You may choose to use degreasing or clarifying shampoo on the top of the head and ear area, use your regular shampoo at a slightly higher concentration, or even just wash the area more than once to ensure you remove every bit of dirt and oil.
Once the pet is clean and dry, the inside tip of the ear can be clipped very closely using a 15, 30, or 40 blade. When clipping ears, remember to work from center out towards the edge. This will help prevent any accidental nicks. The outside tip is usually clipped using a #10 or 15 blade. For a more natural look, you can carefully blend the tip with thinning shears instead of clipping. Next, carefully trim any hair around the outside edges using small scissors. When scissoring ears, always aim the tips of your shears towards the tip of the ear. (Pro tip: 5 in 1 trimmers are perfect for working on tipped ears.)
Next, gently fold the trimmed area down from the clipper line. Comb the fur on either side of the base of the ears outwards. Using thinning shears, blend the coat so that it is longer at the base of the ear and shortest at the point that the clipped area begins. Folding the ear as you do this helps to guide your trimming and keeps the ear tip away from your thinners. Release the folded area, re-comb, and trim any hairs that need to be blended in.
Voila! You have created perfectly tipped ears to enhance the look of the adorable pet you are grooming.
