Teacup Poodle Grooming

Teacup (or Toy) Poodles have dense hair with tight curls--and while they're hypoallergenic and shed little, these dogs require a great deal of grooming. Fortunately, many owners are more than happy to put in the extra time to keep their Toy Poodles looking prim and proper.

Below you'll find info on Teacup Poodle coat care (including sections devoted to brushing and to bathing), details about other maintenance, and descriptions of popular Toy Poodle hairstyles.

Toy Poodles' dense, tightly-curled coats are both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, they shed very little, so owners won't need to do any extra vacuuming--but if left unattended, the coat can become a tangled, matted mess. So Toy Poodle grooming is a time-consuming process; it includes daily brushing to remove dead hairs (which actually stay trapped within the coat, rather than being shed) and to minimize tangles and mats.

These dogs also need baths at least once a month, and they require clipping every 6-8 seeks. Some learn to clip their Poodle's hair themselves, while others visit a professional groomer; regardless of your preference, it might be good to see a groomer at least once, as he or she can show you how to groom a Toy Poodle at home.

See below for details on how best to brush these dogs, info on bathing, and descriptions of popular Toy Poodle hairstyles.

Teacup Poodles need brushing often--4-5 times per week, if not daily. For general brushing, the best brush for a Toy Poodle is a medium pin brush; a rake brush for removing dead hairs will come in handy as well, as will a slicker bush for working through tangles and mats. (All these grooming tools are available at pet stores.)

How to brush a Toy Poodle: begin the everyday brushing when the dog is a puppy, if possible, so it will get used to the process. Spray each section as you go with mist from a spray bottle (mixed with canine conditioning spray, if desired); use the pin brush and start with the legs, then the tail, the body, and finally the head and ears, using deep, sweeping strokes to cover as much of the outer coat as possible. Along the way, work through stubborn tangles and mats with the slicker brush.

Once a week, go through the entire coat with the rake brush to remove dead hairs. Make sure to brush deep enough to reach the undercoat, but don't apply too much pressure, as doing so can scratch the dog's skin.

The more often you brush your Teacup Poodle, the easier the process, plus you get some quality time with your furry little friend.

Baths for Teacup Poodles should happen at least once a month. Depending on the dog's size, the kitchen sink should be fine for bathing.

Start by giving the Poodle a thorough brushing. Wet the fur thoroughly, then apply a quarter-sized portion of shampoo to the dog's back. (The best shampoo for Toy Poodles is a gentle canine type, as human shampoo can irritate the dog's skin.) Work the shampoo into a lather and work downward--and don't forget the legs! Rinse well, then repeat the process with canine conditioner, if desired.

Towel-dry the dog (or use a blow dryer on its lowest setting), then finish with another quick brush-through to neaten the coat.

Probably more than any other breed, Toy Poodle haircuts are extremely popular. Here are descriptions of the most beloved Toy Poodle grooming styles:

• Puppy Cut: Many owners give their Toy Poodle a Puppy Cut, as it's very low-maintenance. The hair is cut short (1-2 inches ) all over; some prefer to leave the leg and head hair a bit longer. Can be done at home with advice from a groomer.
• Continental Clip: Considered the standard "fancy" style for this breed. The head, front portion of the body, and shoulders are left at full length; the legs, rear half of the body, and the tail are shaved except for fur balls ("poms") sculpted on the feet, the back, and the tail tip. Definitely best done by a groomer.
• English Saddle Clip: Basically the same as the Continental, except that the hind legs have full hair that's divided into three "poms." The poms all over are often somewhat larger than those in the Continental. Best done by a groomer.
• Poodle Paint: Another way to describe dyeing your Poodle's fur. Pink Toy Poodles are the most popular, but other colors--blue, lime green, even purple--are common as well. Poodles with lighter-colored fur (white, beige, etc.) are best for this practice. Common dyeing methods include food coloring, or sidewalk chalk mixed with water; human hair coloring is not recommended for use on dogs. (NOTE: Some town and city ordinances prohibit this practice, so check with your local town or city hall before dyeing your Teacup Poodle.)

Your Teacup Poodle will also require maintenance in the following areas:

• Tear Stains: A Toy Poodle with tear stains is a common sight. The stains are a naturally-occurring, continuous discharge from the eyeballs that, over time, causes brownish stains under the dog's eyes. The stains can be decreased (and in some cases, completely removed) by reducing allergens that cause the dog's eyes to water, switching to a natural grain-free dog food, and/or using a high-quality tear stain remover (sold at most pet stores).
• Teeth: No owner wants to be the one to say, "My Toy Poodle has bad breath!" The effective way to control that bad breath, along with minimizing tartar and plaque buildup, is to brush a Toy Poodle's teeth 2-3 times per week. Be sure to use canine toothpaste, and brush in the same manner you use to brush your own.
• Ears: The inside of a dog's ears can trap dirt/debris and lead to infections. Check your Teacup Poodle's ears weekly, and if needed clean inside the ear with a cotton ball and a gentle cleanser.
• Nails: If your Poodle's nails click when it walks/runs on hard surfaces, it's time for a trim. Clip the nails using standard clippers--but make sure not to cut into the "quick" (the vein inside the nail), as doing so can be painful and make the nail bleed.