Grooming
Poodles have long been known as a gorgeous breed whose coat is perfectly pruned into all sorts of shapes and sometimes even colours. This gives off the impression that they are high maintenance in terms of grooming and in many ways that’s true.
The Poodle’s coat is curly, wiry and dense which means it can be clipped, trimmed and shaved into all sorts of shapes. Most owners will turn to a professional groomer every three to six weeks for this to ensure their pooch remains looking elegant and regal. Some may well decide to save money by avoiding a professional groomer, but this will require plenty of skill and time to get it right and may well result in one or two botched jobs before you perfect the job.
If you’re not bothered about your Poodle having their coat shaped like you would see in Crufts, you can keep it at the same length all over their body. This will reduce the grooming requirement in terms of time and money and will make it easier for you to trim on your own.
On the other end of the spectrum, some owners will choose to completely shave their Poodle which obviously takes a lot less time and skill per session but will likely be required more often.
If you choose to clip your Poodle yourself, be sure to invest in some high-quality clippers and consider having some training first to ensure you don’t hurt them in the process.
One of the most desired qualities of a Poodle is that their levels of shedding are very low, which means your house will be almost dog hair free. Despite this, they still require regular brushing and bathing to keep their coat clean and tangle free.
Don’t worry if your Poodle looks like they’re crying, it’s perfectly normal and is no reason for concern. This does however add another grooming process that you may not expect which is regularly wiping their eyes. You must do this gently with an alcohol free, pet friendly wipe or a washcloth with warm, clean water.
They are slightly more prone to ear infections than other dogs because their ears drop down which creates a warm, moist atmosphere which is perfect for bacteria to thrive in. This means you must regularly clean their ears with a cotton wool bud and cleaning solution, but only clean areas that you can see otherwise you risk damaging their ear canal.
Brush their teeth at least two or three times a week to remove tartar buildup and bacteria. If you can, daily brushing is even better to prevent gum disease.
Plan to trim their nails once or twice a month, but always bear in mind that if you can hear them clicking on the floor, they’re too long and should be cut immediately. Not only does trimming the nails keep their paws in good condition, it also protects you, your family, and your furniture when they jump up.
