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Achieving the signature look of a Standard Poodle requires loving attention and following grooming best practices.
鈥淭he great thing of course about the Poodle is the fact that they do not shed,鈥� says Poodle expert Gail Wolaniuk, a professional Poodle handler and groomer. Wolaniuk has shown Poodles for 40 years and has a private grooming practice. 鈥淏ut in return for that fabulous trait is the fact that they require routine grooming. If you choose to groom your puppy yourself it adds to great bonding and training time,鈥� she adds.
Along with her partner Joan McFadden鈥攁 member of the board of governors of the 鈥� Wolaniuk breeds Standard Poodles through their breeding practice, and has been recognized by the AKC as a Breeder of Merit and a 2020 AKC Breeder of the Year.
Here鈥檚 everything you need to know about caring for your Poodle鈥檚 coat, skin, nails, and more.
Coat Care 101: Grooming a Standard Poodle
First things first: When you bring your Poodle puppy home for the first time, it鈥檚 important to get into good grooming habits right away, starting with brushing to prevent your dog鈥檚 hair from matting.
Wolaniuk recommends using a 鈥攐ne with a square or rectangular shape with short, stiff wire bristles. Be sure to brush all the way down to your puppy鈥檚 skin. But be careful not to scratch or scrape the skin, she adds. She also recommends grooming your puppy up on a table or other elevated surface for more control.
As for baths, aim for an average washing of every four to eight weeks, depending on how frequently you brush your dog鈥檚 hair. 鈥淪ince the Poodle has continually growing hair (like our own) and not fur, you can use any of the shampoos formulated for humans, such as Pantene or Suave,鈥� says Wolaniuk. 鈥淎 wide variety of , whether it be whiteners, bodifiers, or clarifiers are highly recommended.鈥�
Trimming a Standard Poodle鈥檚 Hair
You can trim your dog鈥檚 hair as often as you bathe them, about every four to eight weeks. How long you go in between baths really depends on how long you鈥檇 like your Poodle鈥檚 hair to grow. If you鈥檇 like to trim your Poodle鈥檚 hair at home, Wolaniuk recommends using or Oster clippers. Both of these clippers offer , making them a great option for beginners. She uses size 15 or for trimming the face, feet, and tail base. The higher the number of the blade corresponds to shorter cuts. She recommends using a 4 to for clipping your Poodle鈥檚 body short, depending on your length preference.
Giving a cut at home requires patience and discipline. Wolaniuk advises taking your time and playing around with styles you prefer. 鈥淩emember hair always grows so any mistakes you make will be corrected with time as it grows in,鈥� she notes.
Grooming and bath time is also a great opportunity to examine your Poodle for any changes that may need attention, such as cuts, growths, or parasites, such as fleas or ticks. If you notice any wounds or changes to your dog鈥檚 skin, contact your dog鈥檚 vet.
Grooming Show Poodles vs. Pets
鈥淭he same grooming techniques are required for the Poodle whether they are your constant companion, your competing performance dog, or your conformation show dog,鈥� says Wolaniuk. 鈥淭he main difference is the required trims needed in conformation show dogs. The guidelines to the required trims are outlined in the , set forth by the parent clubs (Poodle Club of America).鈥�
Younger dogs are shown in what鈥檚 called a 鈥減uppy trim.鈥� Adult Poodles are shown in the 鈥淐ontinental鈥� or 鈥淓nglish Saddle Trim,鈥� which are longer and will require more ongoing coat care, she explains.
Nail Care Basics for Standard Poodles
Your Poodle鈥檚 nails are too long if you can hear them clicking around on the floor, says Wolaniuk. You have a few options for keeping them trim. You can cut them with a , use a , or use a combination of both tools.
With a grinder, you can shorten each nail around once every week or so. Or, if you鈥檇 like, you can clip your Poodle鈥檚 nails first, then grind the sharp edges for a smooth finish. 鈥淚f you cut them make sure you have a handy in case you cut the quick, which is the blood supply to the nail,鈥� says Wolaniuk. 鈥淭his is not a problem, just apply the Kwik-Stop.鈥�
Keeping Your Poodle鈥檚 Teeth Healthy
For ongoing dental maintenance, Wolaniuk recommends making sure your Poodle has something hard to chew on鈥攕uch as , , or . Brush your dog鈥檚 teeth regularly with a or and a . And of course, don鈥檛 forget to schedule regular dental cleanings with your dog鈥檚 veterinarian.
Standard Poodle Ear Care
Because Poodles tend to grow hair in their ears, and since their drop ears are prone to developing wax, it鈥檚 important to clean your dog鈥檚 ears regularly by either plucking or trimming the hair that grows inside.
鈥淭he more hair you pluck out or cut out allows a better airflow to help the inside of the ear to stay dry,鈥� says Wolaniuk. In addition, use an to remove any excess debris, wax, or dirt and help maintain the proper PH levels in your dog鈥檚 ear canal.
This article is intended solely as general guidance, and does not constitute health or other professional advice. Individual situations and applicable laws vary by jurisdiction, and you are encouraged to obtain appropriate advice from qualified professionals in the applicable jurisdictions. We make no representations or warranties concerning any course of action taken by any person following or otherwise using the information offered or provided in this article, including any such information associated with and provided in connection with third-party products, and we will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary or other damages that may result, including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness or death.