Tools for Clipping Poodles

Poodles are wonderful pets that make excellent companion animals. These pets are friendly, smart and loyal and they have a look that is unmistakable. Unfortunately, they do not stay looking picture perfect without some work on the owner's part. These non-shedding canines have hair that continues to grow like human hair, and it must be cut and styled to keep them looking their best. Poodle grooming can be a difficult regular task for a dog owner without the proper tools. If you choose not to take your poodle to a professional groomer, then you will need the right clipping supplies.

  1. Grooming Table

    • A grooming table is a handy piece of equipment for grooming your poodle. Poodles can take considerable time to trim and style, and it will make you and your dog more comfortable to place him on an elevated grooming table so you can work at chest level instead of trying to groom him on the floor. Tables built specifically for grooming are also usually built with a non-slip surface to help your poodle stand easily without fear of slipping and falling onto the floor. Your dog and your back will be much better off if you use this product as part of your routine.

    Clipper and Scissors

    • You will need a couple of tools to cut your poodle's fur. Shaping the fur of a poodle can be an arduous task since it often involves rounding and detailed trimming. You will need to use a good, quality electric clipper for most of the work. The clipper usually comes with various sized guards to help you keep the fur at the appropriate lengths; it will also make cutting the fur down to the hide safe and painless for your poodle. For trimming around his mouth, ears and paws, you will also need sharp scissors.

    Hemostat

    • A hemostat is a handy tool for grooming a poodle. Hemostats are scissor-like plucking tools that can be used along with ear powder or cleaner to pluck out the hair from your poodle's ears. Hair is likely to grow inside your poodle's big, fluffy ears, and it can lead to hygiene problems and possible infections.

    Guillotine Clippers

    • You must keep your dog's nails clipped for appearance purposes as well as keeping them from scratching floors and being overly noisy when he walks. Guillotine clippers are the best bet for trimming a poodle's nails. This tool will allow you to slide the end of the nail easily into the cutter opening and squeeze the handles to make a quick, clean cut.

    Brushes

    • Although it is not part of the clipping process, you will need brushes to keep your poodle's fur from matting and to keep it looking its best. Use a pin brush for long fur; opt for a slicker brush for shorter fur. You may also need a greyhound comb for some detail brushing. These combs look a lot like standard pocket combs.