Poodle grooming essentials: expert tips for a flawless coat from bath to blowout

Poodlicious!

We’re excited to present our Breed of the Month: the Poodle! Whether you’re an enthusiast, breeder, groomer, or show exhibitor, one thing’s for sure—few breeds offer as much variety as the Poodle. From sizes and colors to coat textures and grooming styles, the possibilities are endless. No wonder this breed is often nicknamed “50 Shades of Grooming.”

Covering everything this breed has to offer would be impossible in a single blog post. That’s why, in this article, we’re focusing on one essential topic: Poodle coat care.

What does this breed require in the daily groomingshop?

How can poodle owners maintain the coat at home?

And how can groomers combine practicality and aesthetics in their styling?

In this two-part blog, we’ll provide professional insights into:

The importance of proper coat care, bathing & drying

Maintenance-friendly, commercial styles groomers can offer to clients

How collaborating with experienced breeders and groomers can elevate your skills—and your passion—for scissoring and styling poodles

Let yourself be inspired by our love for this iconic breed. Grooming a poodle isn’t just a necessity—it’s a form of art.

A well-groomed poodle coat starts with proper preparation 

Washing, drying, and brushing are crucial for the overall coat condition, visual appeal, and the final result. For professional outcomes, not only technique but also the right product choices are essential. Like shampoo, conditioners, nourishing sprays, brushes, and combs. These influence not only the short-term appearance but also the long-term health of the coat. 

Learning to ‘read & understand’ the coat 

For groomers, students, and breeders, it's fundamental to learn how to feel and understand each coat. Every coat has specific needs and characteristics. As a professional, you must recognize what the coat requires at any given time to maintain peak condition. Learning to read the coat is a process that takes patience and hands-on experience. 
Bathing is much more than just cleansing. The first wash should ideally be done with a deep-cleansing shampoo to remove oils and dirt and prepare the coat for the active ingredients in the second wash. The second shampooing is where targeted care comes in: volume, hydration, shine, or color support. 

Volume vs. nourishment

When a Poodle is being prepared for scissoring, a dogshow or grooming competition, a volumizing shampoo is often the ideal choice. It lifts every strand of hair, making styling and scissoring easier and enhancing the overall finish. Keep in mind that volumizing shampoos are typically performance-oriented and not nourishing – regardless of the brand. Therefore, between shows or even at home, additional hydration and nourishment are essential. 

Grooming is a routine, not a one-time act 

A healthy, resilient coat requires consistency. Ideally, a Poodle’s coat should be washed, dried, and brushed every week to ten days. This routine keeps the coat free of tangles and in optimal condition. 
Choosing the right shampoo and conditioner isn’t an exact science. It takes time, testing, and evaluation. Every coat is different and reacts differently. A new product always needs an adjustment period, typically around two months. The coat needs time to adapt, removing previous product residues, and show the real effects. Patience is key. 

Oils and conditioners as essentials

In addition to shampoo, oils and conditioners play a vital role in hydrating and protecting the poodle's coat. They help restore the coat’s natural balance and prevent dryness—especially important after using styling or volumizing shampoos. This step often makes the difference between a decent coat and a radiant, long-lasting, healthy one.

The right technique and the right products are everything. Here are our professional guaranteed favorites: 

Curious about how to properly wash a poodle and which products to use?

In our video, we demonstrate step-by-step washing techniques, including tips on shampoo, conditioner, and care sprays. A must-watch for any groomer or owner aiming to keep the coat truly in top shape! 

Drying the poodle coat: structure, patience, and precision 

Properly drying a poodle coat requires structure, time, and patience. This is a key step in the maintenance routine, as the final result—styling and scissoring—greatly depends on thorough preparation and drying of the coat.

Always start with a blaster fitted with a round nozzle. Direct the airflow straight onto the coat to help it open fully. Keep your hand steady and work systematically—only move the dryer once the section you’re working on is completely dry. An ideal distance to maintain is about 25 to 30 cm from the skin.

For both professional and at-home use, we recommend the Groom-X Zeppelin combi dryer—a powerful blaster and stand dryer in one. Of course, a wide range of dryers is available, so choose the one that best suits your specific needs.

Once the coat is fully blown out with the blaster, continue brushing with a stand dryer. Use a slicker brush suited to the coat’s texture, thickness, and length. For show dogs or topknot styling, a pin brush is often preferred, as it’s gentler on finer areas.

Watch our video on slicker brushes and their uses:

In this video, we show the different types of slicker brushes, when to use them, and how they impact both results and comfort.

Smoothing the coat for the perfect finish

At the end of the drying session, there’s one technique that often makes the difference between a good and a flawless finish: smoothing the coat. Use a softer, finer slicker brush – such as the Yento Show Coat Slicker – to gently and effectively smooth out the hair.

This brushing technique helps eliminate natural spirals or curls, leaving the coat smooth, straight, and even. This allows for more precise scissoring and results in a neater, professional look. It’s a small step, but one with maximum impact.

Continue reading? Discover part two of this blog 

Now that you've mastered the basics of washing, drying, and brushing, it’s time to take the next step: shaping the poodle coat. In part two of this blog series, we’ll dive deeper into coat structure, styling techniques, and practical grooming styles—tailored to both the salon setting and the individual dog.

See how Theo, a beautiful Standard Poodle, is transformed into a masterpiece of coat care and commercial trim work. 

Need advice or have questions? 

Do you have questions about grooming, products, or techniques? Or would you like personalized advice tailored to your Poodle or grooming salon? 

Feel free to contact our team: 

Via the live chat on our website 

By phone at +32 (0)56 25 20 10 

Or by email at [email protected] 

A Poodle’s coat is like a great haircut – when it’s right, everything feels better. At Transgroom, you don’t just get expertise – you also get a smile.