Great info Cincy's Mom! I was told about that particular issue of Dog Fancy (don't have a subscription) and tried to buy it this past weekend but it wasn't in my local PetsMart yet. I have never owned a show dog nor had my poodles in anything but the puppy clip. I'm sure they have their reasons for requiring that particular cut for shows, but I am not a fan of it at all. I think people are so turned off to those cuts that many won't even consider having a poodle as a pet because of it. Just like with any dog, it's what's under the fur that is important, and to me at least, to know a poodle is to love a poodle.