I get it, all these fancy poodle cuts can be intimidating, but with the right tools, a few hours of Youtube, and some (or alot of) practice, you can learn anything. And yes, that most certainly includes grooming your dog.
It’s not always easy breezy, takes time, patience and determination, but the outcome is well worth it! Not only will you save money, but you will have the opportunity to bond with your dog and know that YOU accomplished something fun and new together.
As a (human) hairstylist, this has been right up my ally with all the fun products and tools, but it can be overwhelming fur-real! There’s alot of great items on the market at all different price points and these were a few I went with.
***I would also like to note, I have MAD respect for groomers after emBARKing on this great poodle hair adventure!
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My Top 5 Grooming Essentials
Force Dryer: This is a game changer in the poodle grooming world! I researched a few that were recommended by other poodle owners and groomers (much thanks to the Poodle social media pages) and decided on the SHELANDY. This is not the most expensive dryer on the market and I wasn’t looking to spend a ton for 1 dog. I am more than happy with the performance of this dryer! It’s not only affordable, but it’s comparable to the dryer I was using at the Pet Wash before being able to groom at home.
*my girl is 45lbs and has medium to long length hair and it takes about 30 minutes to dry her!
What I really liked about this dryer was the heating option as well as the airflow intensity level. It’s a great, sturdy dryer with all the attachments. It also comes in blue.
I would recommend a Happy Hoodie to cover the ears because no force dryer is quiet. This seems to help alot.
Cordless Clippers: This was probably the most researched and contemplated tool I was going purchase. There are SO many.
To me, cordless is the way to go with this size dog. No working around or tripping over cords and having to be close to an outlet as I plan on grooming outside sometimes.
Again, I didn’t want to spend an arm and a leg on these for 1 dog. However, I wanted something that would get the job well done and look like a professional groom. I do (human) hair for a living, so I am a bit meticulous when it comes to cutting hair. I went with the KM 10 Cordless and some metal comb attachments. I’m very happy with these as I use them for everything: face, body, & feet.
Pin Brush: I know the majority will lean toward the Chris Christensen Coral Slicker brush, but again, after much research and contemplation, I went with his 35mm Oval Pin Brush.
I’m not saying the coral brush isn’t a fabulous choice, but a few things I read was that it was heavy to hold and could potentially break the hair. I was a little concerned because (again) I do hair all day and the last thing I wanted was a heavy dog brush, nor do I want to break her hair off as I keep it on the longer side.
This pin brush has worked well for my gal who is somewhat prone to matting. It does a good job of getting through those tangles gently and easily. Love the wooden handle and size of the brush! I went with the 35mm because of the length I keep her hair. If you had a shorter coat length, you could definitely get the 27mm.
Metal Comb: This will be what you use for the detail work and the micro-tangles. I am not sure if there’s one that’s superior to another but you cannot go without it for this poodle hair. I purchased mine from a local pet store for around $10 and it works great.
Detangler Detangler and more Detangler: As a hairstylist, I can’t stress this enough. In fact, I wrote a whole seperate article on detanglers. This was one of the first things I started with on her coat and I’ve diligently used each time before brushing. I’ll even admit, I’ve used some of my personal dry conditioners, detanglers and oils. They work! Anything to keep her hair under control and tangle free.
My personal favorite is the Kevin Murphy Dry Conditioner. I am a huge fan of his products anyway, but this seems to soften and detangle really well for my spoos hair. I’ll link a few of my other favorites but most importantly, just use something. It’s like insurance for hair!
Unite DOGGYPOO Detangler 8oz ($17) (salonservicegroup.)