Poodle Grooming Guide: Cuts, Costs & Care Tips (2026)

Poodle Grooming Costs by Size

Poodles are one of the most expensive breeds to groom due to their curly, continuously-growing coat and the skill required for breed-specific cuts. Here's what to expect:

These prices are for dogs in good coat condition. Add $30-$75 for matted coats. With grooming every 4-6 weeks, expect to spend:

• Toy Poodle: $840-$1,200/year
• Miniature Poodle: $960-$1,440/year
• Standard Poodle: $1,200-$1,800/year

For comparison with other breeds, see our complete dog grooming cost guide.

Popular Poodle Haircuts & Styles

Poodles can sport a wide variety of haircuts, from practical pet clips to elaborate show styles. Here are the most popular options:

The Teddy Bear cut is popular for its fluffy, rounded appearance

Puppy Cut (Kennel Cut)

Best for: Low-maintenance owners, active dogs, hot climates

The Puppy Cut is the most popular and practical Poodle haircut. Hair is trimmed to 1-2 inches uniformly across the body. Despite the name, it works for Poodles of all ages. This cut requires less daily brushing and is the most affordable to maintain.

Teddy Bear Cut

Best for: Owners who want a fluffy, rounded appearance

Similar to the Puppy Cut but with a rounded face and head, creating a teddy bear-like appearance. The face is scissored into a round shape rather than shaved. Requires slightly more brushing to maintain the fluffy look.

Lamb Cut

Best for: A slightly more styled look without high maintenance

The Lamb Cut leaves the legs slightly fuller than the body, creating a lamb-like silhouette. Face is typically shaved clean or trimmed short. Good balance between style and practicality.

Continental Cut

Best for: Show dogs, owners who want the classic Poodle look

The iconic show Poodle cut with shaved hindquarters, pom-poms on legs and tail, and a full mane. Extremely high maintenance—requires daily brushing and more frequent professional grooming. Costs $150-$250+ per groom.

English Saddle Cut

Best for: Show dogs, similar to Continental

Another AKC-approved show cut. Similar to the Continental but with more hair left on the hindquarters, creating a "saddle" shape. Equally high maintenance.

Modern Cut (Miami Cut)

Best for: A fashionable but manageable style

A contemporary style with a shaved face, feet, and base of tail, but leaving pom-poms on the ankles and tail tip. Body length is uniform. More stylish than a Puppy Cut but still practical.

The poodle's signature curly coat grows continuously and requires regular maintenance

How Often Do Poodles Need Grooming?

Poodles need more frequent grooming than most breeds because their hair grows continuously and doesn't shed. Here's the recommended schedule:

• Professional grooming: Every 4-6 weeks (do not exceed 8 weeks)
• Brushing: Daily to every other day (prevents matting)
• Face cleaning: Daily (prevents tear stains)
• Ear cleaning: Weekly (Poodles are prone to ear infections)
• Nail trimming: Every 2-3 weeks
• Bathing: Every 2-4 weeks (or at professional groom)

Stretching beyond 6-8 weeks between grooms leads to matting, which costs extra to remove or requires a complete shave-down.

Poodle Grooming Schedule by Age

Puppies (8-16 weeks)

Start grooming early! Puppy coat is softer and easier to manage, but this is the time to establish comfort with grooming. Schedule "puppy intro" visits where the groomer does a face trim, feet trim, and sanitary area—just to get your puppy used to the experience.

Adolescent (4-12 months)

Between 4-12 months, Poodles transition from puppy coat to adult coat. This period requires more frequent brushing as the coats can mat more easily during the transition. Stick to 4-week grooming intervals.

Adult (1-7 years)

Adult Poodles can maintain a 4-6 week grooming schedule with daily brushing at home. Coat texture is stable, and you can experiment with different styles.

Senior (7+ years)

Senior Poodles may have thinner coats but can also develop more sensitive skin. Consider shorter, more comfortable cuts. Mobile grooming can be less stressful for older dogs.

At-Home Poodle Grooming Tips

Between professional grooms, home maintenance is essential. Here's what you can do:

Essential Tools

• Slicker brush: For daily brushing and removing tangles
• Metal comb: To check for mats after brushing
• Detangling spray: Makes brushing easier and prevents breakage
• Ear cleaner: For weekly ear maintenance
• Nail clippers or grinder: For between-groom maintenance
• Eye wipes: For daily face cleaning

Brushing Technique

Use the "line brushing" technique for Poodles:

1. Mist the coat with detangling spray (never brush dry)
2. Part the coat in horizontal sections
3. Brush from the skin outward in small sections
4. Work from back legs forward, bottom to top
5. Finish by combing through to check for missed tangles

Face and Ear Care

Poodles are prone to tear staining and ear infections. Daily face wiping and weekly ear cleaning prevents problems. Look for discharge, odor, or redness in ears—these indicate infection.

Toy poodles are the smallest variety but still require the same grooming commitment

Common Poodle Grooming Problems

Matting

The #1 issue with Poodles. Mats form when loose hair tangles with the coat, tightening over time until they pull painfully on the skin. Prevention is key—once severe matting occurs, the only solution is often a complete shave-down.

Prevention: Brush daily, never skip more than 2 days. Pay special attention to friction areas: behind ears, armpits, around collar, and rear end.

Ear Infections

Poodles grow hair inside their ear canals, which traps moisture and leads to infections. Professional groomers remove this hair. Watch for head shaking, ear scratching, odor, or discharge.

Tear Staining

Light-colored Poodles often develop reddish-brown stains under their eyes. Daily face cleaning helps prevent buildup. Persistent staining may indicate blocked tear ducts or allergies—consult your vet.

Skin Issues

Poodles can have sensitive skin. Use gentle, hypoallergenic shampoos. Hot spots often develop under mats—another reason to prevent matting. Some Poodles develop sebaceous adenitis, a skin condition requiring special care.

Finding a Poodle-Experienced Groomer

Not all groomers are equally skilled with Poodles. Their curly coat and specialized cuts require specific training. Here's what to look for:

• Ask about Poodle experience: How many Poodles do they groom weekly?
• Request photos: See their work on actual Poodle clients
• Look for certifications: NDGAA or breed-specific training
• Check reviews: Look specifically for reviews from Poodle owners
• Ask about blade and scissor work: Quality Poodle grooming requires skilled scissoring

For more tips on finding quality groomers, see our Signs of a Good Dog Groomer guide.

Poodle vs. Doodle Grooming

If you also have a Goldendoodle, Labradoodle, or other Poodle mix, the grooming needs differ:

• Coat consistency: Purebred Poodles have uniform curls; doodles have variable coats
• Shedding: Poodles don't shed; doodles may shed depending on their coat type
• Matting: Doodles often mat worse than Poodles due to their mixed coat texture
• Cut options: Poodles have breed-specific cuts; doodles typically get pet clips

For detailed doodle grooming info, see our Goldendoodle Grooming Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bottom Line

Poodles require grooming every 4-6 weeks, costing $70-$150 per session depending on size and style. The Puppy Cut offers the easiest maintenance, while show cuts require daily care and higher costs.

Success with Poodle grooming comes down to consistency. Daily brushing at home prevents matting and keeps your Poodle comfortable between professional grooms. Find an experienced groomer, establish a regular schedule, and your Poodle will look and feel their best.