Poodle grooming is an important part of owning a poodle. 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. Although grooming poodles may seem complex, anyone can learn and master the skill. You just need patience and the willingness to practice your skills.

Grooming standard poodles completely takes about three hours, once you get good at it, and while you're still learning, you might have to spread the job out over a few days. 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.

Find out how grooming poodles properly can really be a fun thing for you to do with your dog. All show poodles must have a variation on the traditional lion cut, of which 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, as a long mane of fur on the chest protected the lungs and heart, and the tufts on the legs offered joint protection.

For non-competing poodles, there's a lot more to choose from. You can choose a shorter trim, which is easier to maintain, and especially easier to dry in the winter. 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. Short clipped feet don't pick up grass seeds, and mean that your dog won't track in as much dirt, and remember that shorter coats are easier to wash and dry, and they don't need as much brushing as a fluffy, long coat. Always wash your poodle before grooming to keep your clippers and scissors in good shape, and use high quality equipment, too. Although it's more expensive to start with, it'll make poodle grooming much easier.