Dog grooming was all the rave during the 19th Century and the Poodle was the most popular breed of dog pampered and groomed. The first recorded grooming parlors were founded in France and the Poodle became the national dog of France under the First Republic. Due to its popularity, the breed soon became known as the French Poodle and not very long after, became the most popular breed in North America.
Pet grooming has faced many changes throughout the years as many more individuals "humanize" their four-legged companions. There are five fundamentals of dog grooming for any breed that make up the basic procedure. These are only the basics of grooming.
-Brushing/Combing
-Bathing
-Blow Drying
-Ear Cleaning
-Nail Trimming
To groom the Poodle, the groomer will need some basic tools before starting. A groomer should have all tools available before starting the grooming process.
-Brush
-Dog shampoo
-Sponge
-Heavy Towel
-Pet Dryer
-Cotton Balls
-Nail Trimmers
-Clippers (only needed if clipping of the hair will be done)
-Scissors
A universal brush is normally the only brush a groomer will need. This brush can be used on tangled or matted coats or a slicker brush can be used for delicate coats. A mat comb can be utilized if the coat is badly matted. For extreme matting, the coat may need to be fully shaven before bathing. After the coat is thoroughly tamed, the poodle is ready for a professional bath.
The ideal water temperature is approximately 110 degrees Fahrenheit. A spray hose connected to a faucet will make this task much simpler. Start with the hindquarters and completely wet the Poodle. The excess water should not be left in the tub and should flow down the drain. The Poodle is actually getting a "shower" rather than a bath. In case the dog decides to do the "shake", a plastic apron will be very handy in keeping the groomer from being soaked during this process.
After the Poodle is soaked, place shampoo on the sponge and on the Poodle, from rear to front. Keep shampoo clear of the eyes even if the shampoo claims to be tearless. Work the shampoo into the coat not forgetting any areas including the bottoms of the feet. Rinse the shampoo thoroughly, letting the water rinse until it runs clear from the coat. If the Poodle was heavily soiled, the dog may need two washings. The coat of the Poodle has a naturally harsh, dense texture. A cream rinse is not recommended for this type of coat.
Squeeze excess water from the coat and use a heavy towel to remove as much water as possible. If you have a cage dryer, this can be used to help the coat dry off what the towel didn't. A cage dryer will get the coat damp-dry and the blow-dryer will be utilized to fully dry the coat. Working from the rear to the head, allow the blow-dryer to separate the hairs. Dry one area at a time and using a brush will help keep the hairs from tangles.
Once the coat is cleaned and dried, the Poodle is ready for the ear cleaning. This is a simple process of using a cotton ball and water. Some groomers will use mineral oil and/or ear powder. The only concern when cleaning the ears is to be gentle, do not go into the ear canal and do not use Q-tips. If the ears are overgrown with long hairs, these can be easily trimmed away with short scissors. Hemostat scissors are the most common type utilized for this area because of their bent shape at the ends.
Nail trimming can be intimidating and should be approached with caution. Inside the toenail is a "quick" that can hurt the Poodle if cut and even bleed. If you are doing this for the first time, trim a little at a time until you reach the quick without cutting into it. Today's technology has made other tools available for nail trimming that are much safer than clippers and can be purchased for the novice groomer. Nail trimming and ear cleaning can be done before bathing but I prefer to do it after the dog is clean and the coat is manageable.
These are the simple fundamentals for basic Poodle grooming. If you want your Poodle to have a special style, this will require some practice and knowledge of the different styles that are usually seen on this breed. As mentioned before, if the Poodle you are grooming has become heavily matted and the coat is uncontrollable, the coat may need to be shaved fully before bathing since no amount of washing will remove large mats.
Poodles were once used as water dogs and retrievers. The clip that was found to be most suitable for their needs is known as the "Continental clip". The mane of the hair is left on the forepart of the body and the back and hindquarters are shaven. The appearance of this clip became known as the "Lion clip" in England and has undergone some modifications since its first introduction.
There are a wide variety of Poodle clips that would fill a book on their techniques. Many of the basic clips are simple to carry out while others take more training and practice. Just as there are different hairstyles for people, the Poodle has a range of styles including The Puppy Clip, The Kennel Clip, The Sporting Clip (or Lamb clip), The Town and Country, The Dutch, The Bikini, The English Saddle and several others.
The Poodle has been endowed with a unique coat that can grow to long lengths which make the breed one of the most, if not the most popular dog breed owned around the world. If there coat is cared for on a regular basis, it is very manageable but left un-groomed, the coat can become matted. Regular grooming will keep the coat beautiful, controllable and easy to maintain.