poodle hair...shampoo & cond?

[gracie]

My little buff cockapoo has poodle hair? Do they require special shampoo and conditioner due to their coarse curley coats? Anyone know how often this type of coat can be bathed? She just turned a year old. Up to now, I've been using puppy shampoo, but I don't know if this is the best shampoo to make her coat look it's best. I would like something to make her coat flatter and silkier since it appears dull and sticks up, but I don't know if this is possible with her coat, color, and breed? Any suggestions?

[vonissk]

Hi Gracie, I am a former groomer and actually this is one of the more simpler things I can help with. As long as you are using a quality shampoo it doesn't matter. What I prefer is Groomer's Edge (almond)--I like the way it cleans and it rinses good. I would veer away from any kind of Hart or Sargent's--also I would only use the baby shampoo on their face. I would not use any conditioner because it does keep the hair from fluffing out. The main thing is how you dry the hair. You need to blow it dry and brush it at the same time--that's what makes a poodles' coat stand up. I bet you can go to the poodle club's website and they have tips. Go to akc.org and click on breeds and on to non-sporting or toy and then on poodles. They will have a menu with the national club's website on there. Hope this has been of some help. Once you get it done right the first time you will see it's really pretty simple to keep it up--make sure if you are using a human dryer to keep it on low because they heat up much more than a doggie dryer. Minta

[gracie]

Originally Posted by vonissk

I would not use any conditioner because it does keep the hair from fluffing out. The main thing is how you dry the hair. You need to blow it dry and brush it at the same time--that's what makes a poodles' coat stand up. . Minta

Minta, thanks for all the great advice. However, I am a little confused about the conditioner. I would prefer her coat would lay flatter and not stick out so much. Does this mean I should use a conditioner? The extra curley coat could have something to do with this. Will the blow drying straighten it? I tried to use the blow dryer on her, but she takes off.

[calgal]

here is a nice site with loads of info. http:www.vipoodle.org/grooming.htm

[gracie]

Thanks Calgal, I'll check it out!

[vonissk]

Gracie what the conditioner does on that kind of hair is make it clump together rather than seperate and be fluffy as it should be. When you use the blow dryer start out gradually from the back as opposed to the head, and work your way gradually to the head. Also it is like curly hair if you use a blow dryer it does help the hair to be straighter as opposed to curling here and there. (I have natural curly hair so I am an expert on that!!!) Calgal thanks for the link. Minta

[gracie]

Minta, thanks for the reply. My dear little pup, just came in the house with muddy black feet (its raining here) who knows what she got into? I put her in the tub and tried some whitening shampoo I bought her awhile back. Well, it didn't clean her feet very good, and the added bonus is the itchy welts I got on my hands from using it. It's a shame that I spent money on it, as I won't and can't use it again. I doubt it if the store will give me a refund because I did use it, and it's not their problem that I'm allergic to it. I guess I'll have to chalk it down to experience.
I will try to get the shampoo you mentioned. I don't know if they sell Groomer's Edge products around here, but I will definitely take a look.
Your advice is interesting that conditioning this type of hair causes clumping. I will try without the conditioner and see what happens. Thanks again.

[vonissk]

I order all my shampoo from Pet Edge. Also Cherrybrook is a good place--I bought some Lambert's there for whitening and it was pretty good--I really liked the oatmeal shampoo they make also. Minta

[SalemWitchChild]

What brand of shampoo made you have a reaction?

[gracie]

Smartgroom/ Wahl

[llsnwtsn]

bathing once every four to six weeks is what I tell my clients in the salon. I've discovered that using a conditioner on poodle type hair weighs it down and looks lifeless