Poodle grooming

The main decoration of the poodle is its woolen coat. In order for the poodle to always have an impeccable appearance, it is necessary to carefully care for it. Keep in mind that this dog's coat has its own characteristics.

In most dogs, dying hairs fall out during molting, but in poodles this is not the case: they become entangled in curls and remain there. This is why the dog should be brushed regularly, at least twice a week. It is best to use a large, fine-toothed comb or massage brush.

Combing is done with alternating movements along and against the coat; before the procedure, you should definitely examine the pet's body for scratches, abrasions, injuries, as well as fleas and ticks.

Do not brush dry wool - it is advisable to use a special oil or spray conditioner... Combing is carried out starting from the tips towards the roots so as not to leave a single untreated area. If there are tangles in the wool, then they are taken apart by hand and only after that they are passed with a brush. To facilitate action, you can use a special anti-chatter.

Poodles are very fond of all washing procedures, while it is important to understand that dirty hair does not grow - this is the main rule of raising dogs with healthy hair. Pets can be washed from the age of three months.

For washing, shampoos of the following types are used: for deep cleansing, bleaching, dyed wool, and there are also special means for adding volume and structuring the hairs, and it is allowed to use several detergents at once within one wash.

Shampoos are diluted with water and applied in liquid form, you should thoroughly lather your pet and achieve the appearance of foam. If the coat is heavily soiled, you can rinse it twice.

After bathing, a balm must be applied, it is also pre-diluted for convenience.The balm is kept on the wool in strict accordance with the instructions for the procedure time, after which it is thoroughly washed off with water.

After that, the dog is placed in a bath and the hairs are squeezed out by hand - you do not need to wipe the hair with a towel, it will be enough just to wrap the pet so that the fabric absorbs the remaining moisture.

Important: the head should be washed with great care - during the procedure, the ears should be closed with cotton swabs, and after washing, gently wipe them with soft gauze.

Drying the dog with a hair dryer is allowed - for this, separate strands are pulled out with a brush and a stream of warm air is directed at them. Drying begins from the head, after which they move to the back and sides, and finish with the processing of the tail and paws.

Washing the poodle is best done in the evening, so that after washing the dog remains warm and has time to completely dry before the morning walk. And one more important rule - no matter what time you wash your pet, after the procedure, the coat must certainly be carefully combed.

The poodle is a dog with a unique coat and should be trimmed regularly. Usually they turn to a dog hairdresser for this; to maintain a neat look, the haircut should be adjusted once every 1.5-2 months.

Some of the more popular poodle haircuts include the following.

• Modern is one of the most common hairstyles. In this case, the hair on the head is shaped like a crown so that the eyes are clearly visible. At the same time, a straight line is formed on the sides with the neck, on the muzzle, the hair is cut to the inner corners of the eyes, as well as under the eyes, after which the lower jaw and neck are “cut off”. The breast is cut from the groin to the elbows so that a smooth transition is created from the waist to the sternum. On the back, abdomen and croup, hairs about 1 cm long are left, “pants” are formed on the shins, the paws themselves near the toes protrude completely. The tail is spherical.

• a lion - in this case, the head is also cut in the shape of a crown so that the eyes are visible. A mustache is usually left on the lips, and the hair on the ears is slightly trimmed. The hair on the chest, neck and trunk is left elongated to the last rib, and the croup, hips, lower back and knees are cut very short. Fluffy pom-poms are formed on the hock and wrist joints.

• English saddle - this hairstyle differs from the "lion" in that on the sides the hair is cut with a machine in semicircles, and a narrow strip of wool 3-4 cm long is left near the vertebra.

• Puppy - as the name suggests, this haircut is optimal for young dogs. Usually, in the first months, only the muzzle of the poodle is sheared, the fur all over the body is left in the maximum length, slightly leveled with scissors. By the age of 8–10 months, when the coat completely changes, the puppies are sheared a little differently - the head is cut in the same way as before, and the rest of the coat is shortened to 3–4 cm without emphasizing the waist. The tail is made with a pompom.

Care for the hair on the head deserves special attention. In the period between exhibitions, long sections are usually pulled into small bunches and fixed with an elastic band: either silicone or soft fabrics are suitable. Some breeders use papillotes.

There are quite a few other haircut options, if the poodle is not a show one, then the model is limited exclusively by the imagination of the breeder.

More tips for grooming your poodle's coat can be found in the video below.