Grooming your new poodle can be fun and entertaining for both you and the poodle. (It can also be a nightmare for both without the proper equipment and
practice!!) Using the links above, you will find tips on choosing the correct equipment, Different Grooming styles, and tips & photos on home grooming.
There are many different ways to groom your poodle. There are the show trims and the pet trims. Only three trims are allowed in the conformation show ring but
you can have them trimmed almost anyway for obedience, (the exceptions being some specialty obedience shows).
Although as a breeder I have a great appreciation for the show trim it looks rather unusual to most people. The show trim does have a history in the breed.
Standard Poodles were originally bred as water retrievers. The long "lion mane" was designed to keep the dogs vital organs warm when they swam in cold water. The puffs on the feet were to keep the joints warm, the puff on the tail so you could see the dog while it was swimming in the water. The rest was shaved to keep him from getting water logged and to prevent sticks from catching in the hair.
