One of the most expensive things about owning poodles is keeping them well groomed, but 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 practise your skills.



It takes about three hours to groom a standard poodle once the skill is mastered, but you may need to divide the task over multiple days during the learning process. Sometimes you and your poodle need a break. If you're not willing to learn poodle grooming on your own, or are worried about the time it takes, you'll have to choose a professional to do it, but remember to pick this person out carefully. The best way to find a good groomer is to talk to other poodle owners.

Pick whichever style of trim suits your tastes. Poodles have coats that lend themselves to plenty of different looks, however, your choice will in part be dictated on how much time and effort you're willing to put into keeping your dog's coat in shape. The sorts of activities you and your poodle engage in will also affect the style, since show poodles are limited in the type of trims they can wear.

Show poodles wear variations on the standard lion cut, which comes in three variations: continental, puppy, and English saddle. 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, as a long mane of fur on the chest protected the lungs and heart, and the tufts on the legs offered joint protection.

When it comes to non-competing poodles, you have much more to choose from. If you opt for a shorter trim, you'll find maintenance easier, especially during the winter months when it's easier to dry. Longer trims are showier, but they'll require more maintenance, so check some grooming books, or take a look at a few poodles to figure out what you prefer.

Most people choose to clip the fur at the base of the tail and on the feet and face very short, as this works better for the dog's hygiene, since long hair can trap food. Shorter coats on your dog are easier to wash,dry and brush than a dog with a fluffy, long coat. Remember short clipped feet won't pick up grass seeds, which means the dog will not track in as much dirt. To keep your clippers and scissors in good shape use high quality equipment, and always wash your poodle before grooming. Since it is quite expensive to start with, but it will help in making poodle grooming much easier.