Grooming: What to Expect

What should you know about a Standard Poodle's coat?

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Poodles have hair instead of fur, which grows continuously. This is part of what makes a Poodle a breed that is considered hypoallergenic. Some people with dog allergies will not be allergic to a Poodle. Poodles do not shed, but with a continuously growing coat they do have to be groomed regularly. Each dog owner will have their own personal preference for how long they like to keep their dog's coat and what style of groom they choose. Most people have their dogs groomed every 4-8 weeks.

 

How much brushing is required between routine grooming appointments?

It depends on how long you like to keep your dog's coat. The longer the coat, the higher the maintenance and the more routine brushing you will need to do to keep the coat healthy and free of matting. If you like to keep a shorter cut, the need for brushing is much less. You might only need to brush the longer hair (like the top knot and ears) after bathing.

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How much does it cost to have a Standard Poodle groomed?

This will vary widely depending on where you live. I recommend asking for referrals and getting an idea of average prices in your area as you are researching and planning to adopt a puppy. As you are calling around, ask what they recommend for puppies to provide continued exposure and training to the grooming salon. Many groomers will do mini appointments while they are young. You want to set your dog up for success to be a happy grooming client throughout it's life. I begin grooming exposure early, but it needs to be continued to be effective.

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How often does a Standard Poodle need to be groomed?

This will vary slightly depending on your preference for the style of groom and overall coat length you want on your dog. Short coats can go 6-8 weeks between grooms. A coat in a longer style takes more maintenance and might require every 4-6 weeks. I do a full groom on my dogs every 6-8 weeks and what I call a "clean up" groom in the middle. This is when I trim their face, paws, and around their tail. 

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What grooming supplies do you need?

 

Every Poodle owner should have a few grooming supplies. Don't overwhelm yourself (and your budget) by thinking that you need to get everything at once. I'll share my favorites in order of precedence.

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4 things will get you started:

​If you like to keep your dog's coat in a short, easily maintained cut, the following supplies will help maintain their coat.

• Slicker Brush

  • Look for a long pin slicker brush. This is used to brush the entire body.

    • Select an economical version to start out. If you are ready to buy the best quality, the Chris Christensen slicker brush is awesome!​ (Amazon)

• Metal Comb (included in your puppy package)

  • Metal combs are used after you brush the body with a slicker brush. The metal comb checks for tangles to see if you combed over any mats. The metal comb is also helpful for combing through the head and ears. (Amazon)

• Ear Cleaner

  • Poodles have hair in their ears that can trap moisture and lead to yeast infections or bacterial ear infections. Prevention is the key. Keeping hair shaved below the ear and the ear canal itself clean and free of buildup will help prevent a lot of problems. Epiotic is an ear cleaner that helps break up wax and dry the inner ear. (Amazon)

• Shampoo

  • There are a lot of great options for puppy/dog shampoo. My current favorite is Plum Silky. Remember to dilute it before using. This is concentrated. Here's a tip. Keep an empty shampoo bottle, add a tiny bit of shampoo to the empty bottle (follow dilution instructions on label), and then fill with water and shake it up. (You can also buy the shampoo with a dilution bottle.) This dilutes the shampoo so you can squirt it right on the dog without using too much. This is especially helpful for my kids when they are bathing the dogs.​ Another shampoo that is easy to find that I used for a lot of years is Mane 'n Tail brand that you can get from Walmart, pet stores, or farm and ranch stores.

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​​​​​​​​​​Next Level Grooming:

If you like to keep your poodle's hair a little longer in length or with any fancier grooming, here's the next step up in grooming supplies:

• High Velocity Blower

  • Hair that air-dries after a bath is very prone to mat because the hairs tend to stick together as they dry. If you like your dog's hair a little​ longer or extra fluffy, a high velocity blower is awesome to have. It is a bigger investment, so don't get it right away, but if you love a soft, fluffy, clean dog... boy are they nice!

• Nail Maintenance 

  • You can choose between clippers or a nail grinder. I love my cordless Dremel  (Amazon). ​

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