Poodles stand out with their curly, thick coats which can come in very fancy styles or more traditional looks.
Hair
Poodles do in fact have hair, similar to human hair, rather than fur, which means it grows continuously and doesn’t shed like traditional fur.
Coat
Poodles have a single coat, rather than a topcoat and undercoat, or ‘double coat’, that can be found with other dog breeds.
As puppies, poodles have a soft, wavy coat which eventually sheds to reveal a thicker and curlier adult coat. During this transition the coat texture and colour may change.
Colours
Poodles come in many colours, including: white, apricot, red, brown, sable, grey, black and black and white.
Hypoallergenic
The poodle coat is viewed as hypoallergenic because the hair follicles have a longer growth period.
Grooming
Due to its density the poodle coat does require regular grooming and potentially daily brushing and combing.
As poodle hair is similar to human hair it does require regular brushing and trimming to prevent it from matting and becoming tangled, which also maintains skin health.
Owners can use clippers or shears to trim their poodle’s hair at home, but it’s best to start with simpler trims if they are inexperienced.
Professional grooming can be every 4-6 weeks, depending on the length of hair required, to prevent the coat from matting and to promote skin health.
A professional groomer can also create a wide range of haircuts and styles for your poodle.
Shedding
Poodles don’t shed, as occurs with other breeds, though their hair does fall out but will often remain in their coat until they are brushed.
Washing
When bathing your poodle it’s best to use a shampoo that is natural and pet-safe, though you should still avoid getting soap near their eyes, nose or mouth.
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