What is the guideline for clipping the tail on the topside?

• A. With the grain on topside
• B. Against the grain on topside
• C. Across the grain on topside
• D. Along the grain on topside

Answer: (B)

Direction matters when clipping—the hairs have a natural growth direction, and the boundary you create depends on which way you move the clipper. For the topside of the tail, clipping against the hair’s growth direction gives you the cleanest, most definite top line. When you cut against the grain, you trim hairs as they stand and you can lay a crisp edge flat along the tail’s curve, producing a neat silhouette that blends well with the rest of the coat. Clipping with or along the grain tends to leave a softer, less defined boundary, since the hairs tend to lie in their grown direction and may not form a sharp line. Use steady, controlled strokes, keep the guard length consistent, and keep the skin taut to maintain safety and precision.