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Poodles have one of the most maintenance-heavy coats of any companion breed. Because the curly coat keeps growing and holds shed hair against the skin, it mats quickly without consistent brushing and needs regular clipping. The trade-off is a genuinely low-shedding, low-dander dog that suits allergy-conscious households.
Coat group
Non-shedding / curly coat
Shedding
Low
Difficulty
High
Typical cost
$75–$110 full groom in SEQ
Professional grooming
Professional groom every 4–6 weeks
At-home brushing
Brush and comb every second day to the skin to prevent matting
Coat type: Dense, curly single coat that grows continuously and traps loose hair rather than dropping it.
A Poodle's curl looks deceptively low-maintenance but the texture is exactly what causes trouble. Loose hairs cannot fall away, so they twist into the live coat and form tight mats, most often at the friction points: behind the ears, in the armpits, around the collar line and on the back legs. Daily or near-daily brushing with a slicker followed by a metal comb right down to the skin is the only reliable way to stay ahead of it.
Bathing should always be followed by thorough drying and brushing — a damp curly coat left to air-dry tends to shrink and tighten into felt. Most groomers force-dry while brushing the coat out straight, which is why a professional finish looks so different from a home wash. Between grooms, keeping the coat at a shorter, even length makes home maintenance far more realistic for busy owners.
Poodles grow hair inside the ear canal, which traditionally was plucked during grooming. Current veterinary thinking is more cautious: pluck only if the ear is healthy and hair is genuinely causing trapped wax or infection, as over-plucking can irritate the canal. A good groomer will check ear condition each visit and discuss what's appropriate for your dog.
Puppy / Lamb clip
An even, short-to-medium length over the whole body with slightly longer leg hair, giving a soft rounded look. The most practical everyday clip and easiest for owners to maintain between visits.
Teddy Bear clip
Body kept short and tidy with a fuller, rounded face and muzzle to create that plush teddy-bear expression. Hugely popular in Australia for Toy and Miniature Poodles.
Kennel / Sporting clip
Short and uniform all over including a closer face and feet — the lowest-maintenance practical trim, ideal for active dogs and the SEQ heat.
Continental clip
The traditional show trim with shaved hindquarters, pom-poms on the legs and tail, and a full mane. Dramatic but high-upkeep and rarely chosen for pet dogs.
That's exactly why — the shed hair has nowhere to go. Instead of dropping out, loose hairs stay tangled in the curls and wind into mats. Brushing right down to the skin every day or two, not just over the surface, is what prevents it.
You can, but be honest about the upkeep: a long curly coat needs daily line-brushing and combing to stay mat-free. Most pet owners are happier with a teddy bear or puppy clip every 4–6 weeks, which looks lovely and is realistic to maintain.
Not necessarily. If the ears are healthy and not getting waxy or smelly, many groomers and vets now prefer to leave the hair or trim it rather than pluck, since plucking can irritate the canal. Ask your groomer to assess each visit.
Looking for a groomer experienced with Poodle (Toy & Miniature)s?
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🐾 Find a groomer near youThis guide is general grooming information only and is not a substitute for advice from a professional groomer or veterinarian. Coat care needs vary between individual dogs.