Grooming Poodles - How to Do It
September 14, 2008
One of the most expensive things about owning poodles is keeping them well groomed. If you learn to do this yourself, you’ll develop a better relationship with your pet, and you’ll save a lot of money in the long run. Grooming poodles might seem hard, but it’s actually a task that just about anyone can learn to do. You just need patience and the willingness to practice your skills.
When you are looking to groom a standard poodle, you will find that the job takes about three hours once you have mastered it. You may find that when you are getting started that it is best to let the job proceed at intervals over the space of a few days, and this will give you and your poodle a bit of a break. If you feel that the trouble and the time investment are not worth it, remember to find a professional that you trust and take the time to network with other poodle owners to help you figure out what you need to know.
Remember that you have a choice of trims available to you when you are thinking of grooming poodles. You’ll find that the poodle’s curly, stiff hair will allow you to take advantage of many looks. Remember, also, though, that some looks are more care intensive and require more maintenance than others. Show poodles will certainly require more maintenance and a more conservative cut than pet poodles.
All show poodles must have a variation on the traditional lion cut. There are three variations on this kind of poodle grooming - continental, English saddle, and puppy. However, they’re all related to the traditional “poodle” cut that we know so well. Originally, this cut was created to help these dogs swim more effectively while retrieving birds from the water. A long mane of fur on the chest protected the lungs and heart, and the tufts on the legs offered joint protection.
If you are not going to show your dog, you’ll find that you have quite a few more options when it comes to making sure that your dog looks tidy. You can do an all-around short trim, which is ideal when you are considering how to make a good grooming job last, but if you are looking for something more flashy, consider looking at pictures online and in books to get some ideas.
When thinking bout grooming poodles, remember that most people will clip the fur at the base of the ail, on the feet and on the face very short, to make sure that it does not get very dirty and to make the dog easier to care for. Remember that the shorter you keep the fur clipped, the less dirt will get into your househhold, and the less the dog will need to be brushed over all. Remember to wash your poodle before you groom them, and make sure that if you clip yourself that you use high-quality tools that are kept sharp.
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