Toy poodles are a breed of dog that are incredibly small and incredibly popular. They are known for their playful and friendly personalities, and their tiny size makes them super cute.
Though they are very small, they are actually quite similar to regular poodles, and that means they need the same level of care and grooming.
Poodle grooming is no easy feat, and it requires routine and consistency, but once you know what you are doing, you will be confident enough to look after your mini-friend.
If you are new to Toy Poodle grooming, then you have definitely come to the right place.
We have put together a guide to help you groom your Toy Poodle the right way, so read on to find out everything you need to know.
How To Groom A Toy Poodle
Grooming your Toy Poodle is broken down into three sections: Brushing, Bathing, and Fur Care.
Toy Poodles, like their bigger counterparts, are known for their long, curly hair, so they need regular treatment on their fur in order to prevent it from matting.
We are going to go over everything you need to know about each of the three sections of grooming so you can make sure your Toy Poodle is happy and healthy.
Brushing
Brushing your Toy Poodle regularly is one of the most important things you can do when it comes to grooming.
As previously mentioned, Poodles of all kinds are known for their long, curly hair, which means that their fur is prone to matting.
Brushing your Toy Poodle every day is the best way to prevent the matting. You will need to brush gently and pay close attention to the neck and chest area.
Toy Poodles are a lot smaller than regular Poodles, though, so it shouldn’t take you as long to brush through the whole coat.
Bathing
Once you have brushed your Toy Poodle’’s fur, you then need to focus on bathing. The recommended time in between baths for a Toy Poodle is a month or any time they get dirty.
If you have never bathed a Toy Poodle before, follow the instructions below.
Step 1: Make Your Toy Poodle Comfortable
Before you do anything else, take a towel and fold it, placing it in your bathtub or shower. This will stop your Toy Poodle from slipping.
It is extremely important to keep your pooch comfortable, as this will make the whole process easier.
Don’t turn the water on yet; give your dog a chance to get used to being in the bathtub.
Step 2: Let The Warm Water Run
Once your Toy Poodle is comfortable in the bathtub, you can then gradually let the warm water run.
It’s easier to spray it with the showerhead, but if you just have a bath, just letting the water run from the faucet is fine.
Using a cup or some other pouring apparatus, slowly and gently start pouring the warm water over your dog.
Step 3: Lather The Coat With Shampoo
As soon as your Toy Poodle has been covered with water, you can then lather in dog-friendly shampoo on their coat.
Use a sponge and work from the front to the back, and be sure to keep the shampoo out of your dog’s eyes.
Be extra sensitive around the face, ears, and underside of your dog, and make sure you never use human shampoo.
Step 4: Rinse With Warm Water
After you have completely lathered the shampoo into your dog’s coat, you can then start to rinse it out with warm water.
Use a cup or some other form of container to get a bit more water over the fur, and continue to be careful around the face and eyes.
If there is any excess water, you can use a towel to dab it off.
Step 5: Rebrush Your Toy Poodle
While your dog is still a bit damp, brush your Toy Poodle’s hair again. This will help it dry faster and avoid matting.
Fur Care
The fur of a Poodle can easily become a hassle, and this is a big reason why so many Poodle owners cut their dog’s hair.
There are lots of different styles you can cut the fur into, and these styles work on Toy Poodles, too.
Some popular styles include:
The Continental Cut: Shave the sides, legs, and back of your Poodle very short. Leave a bracelet around each leg, a pom-pom on the tail, and leave the hair on its head.
The Lamb Cut: This style leaves fur all over your Poodle’s body, but it’s cut very short in the back and longer towards the neck.
Teddy Bear Cut: This cut involves cutting the fur so it is the same length all over and completely covers your pooch. It is called the Teddy Bear Cut because your Poodle will resemble a teddy bear once trimmed.
Another important thing to remember when cutting your Toy Poodle’s fur is that you will need to re-trim it every three weeks.
Poodles of any size have very fast-growing hair, and if it gets too long, it will matt, regardless of how much you groom it.
Keeping your Toy Poodle’s fur trimmed will make bathing and brushing much easier, and your dog will be more comfortable and happy.
If you don’t feel confident enough to cut your dog’s fur yourself, you can take them to a professional groomer, but just be aware that this can get quite costly.
Conclusion
Toy Poodles are wonderful dogs to care for. Not only are they incredibly friendly and loyal, but they are so cute that it’s impossible not to love them.
The grooming side of looking after a Toy Poodle might seem daunting at first, but as long as you keep on top of it, you will find it gets easier to manage.
Use the tips and tricks we have provided for you here to successfully groom your Toy Poodle. Even if you are new to it, these steps are easy to follow.
Hey everyone! My name is Sharon Isaacs, and I am one of the co-creators of PawPrintPets.com.
I knew from a young age that canines were the most interesting animals to me, and ever since I could study, read, and go to school I’ve been researching the best dog training practices.
I started PawPrintPets to provide in-depth guides and information to help you set up your canine companion for success, from the moment you have them.
