Standard Poodles & Knots
- Standard poodles are prized for seemingly not shedding, but though their hair drops far less frequently than breeds with fur coats, it does shed. This shed hair is held in place by the coat and can quickly become a mess of knots and tangles if it's not brushed out on a regular basis. Show poodles are often shaved in the leg and back regions where matting is most common. However, it's impossible to shave a poodle if its hair is too full of knots.
- Poodles should be regularly groomed when dry -- not after a bath -- to have the easiest time with the brush and comb. A soft brush with slick tines will be less likely to irritate the standard poodle's skin. It's also a good idea to have a steel comb with long teeth. Some pet stores will carry a specific "poodle comb" that works well with the breed's coat.
- First, brush the poodle all over. It helps to concentrate on one area at a time, starting with the rear and legs, which knot the most easily. Some poodles will prefer to lie down while being brushed. This is fine, but don't neglect to flip the dog over. Brushing will loosen the hair but is not entirely sufficient. After the brush, use your comb to pass through the poodle's hair and remove any shed clumps. Be sure to pass the comb through at the base of the coat next to the skin.
- Many poodle owners who do not have their dogs trimmed in show cuts opt for the "lamb" cut, which is a short all-over trim that prevents knotting. It's important to increase brushing and combing when this cut starts to grow long enough to give the poodle a "fuzzy" appearance. Poodles also experience a thickening of their coats between nine and 16 months of age, so it's important to groom frequently during that time.
