If you’re wondering what poodle haircuts Dog Groomers can offer, look no further! We’ll break down some of the most popular styles that bring out the best in every poodle breed.

Why grooming is essential for poodles

Before diving into the haircuts, it’s essential to understand why grooming is so crucial for poodles. Their coats are dense and curly, which makes them prone to matting if not cared for properly. Regular grooming not only keeps them looking fabulous but also ensures their coat stays clean, healthy, and tangle-free.

Popular poodle haircuts that Dog Groomers offer:

1. The Continental Cut

This is one of the most iconic poodle haircuts, often seen in dog shows. In this style, the poodle’s rear is mostly shaved, with pom-poms left on the ankles, tail, and hips. The upper half of the body is left longer and styled into fluffy pompoms, creating an elegant, show-stopping look.

• Best suited for: Standard Poodles, though Miniature and Toy Poodles can also wear this look with flair.
• Perfect for: Formal events, shows, or owners who love a traditional, classic style.

2. The Puppy Poodle Cut

Despite the name, the Puppy Cut isn’t just for puppies! This style keeps the poodle’s coat short and even all over the body, making it easy to maintain. It gives the poodle a youthful, fresh look and is perfect for active dogs that love to play.

• Best suited for: All poodle breeds.
• Perfect for: Owners who want a low-maintenance grooming style that still looks adorable.

3. The Teddy Bear Cut

The Teddy Bear Cut creates a soft, rounded look, making your poodle resemble a cuddly stuffed toy. The hair is cut slightly longer than the Puppy Cut, but it’s shaped carefully to give the poodle a rounded, fluffy appearance.

• Best suited for: Toy and Miniature Poodles.
• Perfect for: A playful, adorable look that doesn’t require extensive maintenance.

4. The Lion Cut

This dramatic style involves shaving the poodle’s body and leaving a mane of long fur around the neck and chest, resembling a lion. The legs and tail are usually left with some fur, styled into pom-poms for extra flair.

• Best suited for: Standard Poodles.
• Perfect for: Poodles with bold personalities or owners who love making a statement.

5. The Modern Cut

The Modern Cut offers a more natural, balanced look compared to the Continental Cut. The body hair is left longer and evenly trimmed, while the face and feet are kept neat and tidy. This style gives a chic, yet functional, appearance.

• Best suited for: Standard and Miniature Poodles.
• Perfect for: Pet owners who prefer an elegant look that’s practical for everyday life.

6. The Summer Cut

Also known as the Kennel Cut, this is a short, practical style ideal for hot weather. The coat is trimmed short all over the body to help keep the poodle cool, making it perfect for active dogs in warm climates.

• Best suited for: All poodle breeds.
• Perfect for: Dogs who spend a lot of time outdoors or during the summer months when heat can become an issue.

Tailoring haircuts for different poodle breeds:

Image courtesy of mrlittle.alfie

Cavoodle haircut style

If you’re looking for a balanced look that’s easy to maintain but still retains some length for that characteristic Cavoodle fluff, the Cavoodle Comb Cut is the way to go!

It keeps the coat a bit longer than the Puppy or Summer Cut, allowing for a more natural, flowy look while still being short enough to manage.

Labradoodle haircut style

Since Labradoodles can have a variety of coat types (from straight to curly), the right haircut should suit both the dog’s coat texture and lifestyle.

The Lamb Cut is one popular style for Labradoodles. It features a slightly longer coat, typically around 1-2 inches, with the legs trimmed a little longer to give a fluffy, fuller look. The coat on the body is trimmed shorter, providing a well-rounded appearance that highlights the Labradoodle’s curly or wavy fur.

The Kennel Cut is another option – perfect for Labradoodles who spend a lot of time in the water or outdoors. The coat is trimmed very short (about 1/4 inch or less) all over the body. It’s a functional cut that helps prevent matting, tangles, and dirt buildup, making it easy to clean and care for.

Spoodle haircut style

For a Spoodle (Cocker Spaniel and Poodle mix), there are a number of haircut options that work:

The Cocker Cut leaves the body coat slightly shorter but allows the ears and legs to have longer, feathered fur. It’s a great option if you want your Spoodle to resemble its Cocker Spaniel heritage while keeping the coat manageable.

The Lamb Cut gives the Spoodle a fluffy, balanced appearance by keeping the body coat slightly shorter (about 1-2 inches) and leaving the legs a little longer to create a fuller, puffier look. This style highlights the natural curls or waves of the Spoodle’s coat while maintaining a manageable length.

Or, choose a kennel cut or summer cut for something ultra low maintenance, and to keep them cool in warmer climates.

Stylish grooming for every poodle breed

Poodles offer endless opportunities for creativity when it comes to grooming. The key is to choose a cut that complements both your dog’s temperament and your lifestyle, ensuring your furry friend looks and feels their best!

Browse Dog Groomers near you, on the Mad Paws marketplace >

Looking for dog grooming supplies? Check out the range of products available at Pet Chemist.

The post The 6 most popular poodle haircuts appeared first on Mad Paws.

So, what happened over the last few thousand years to change that? In other words, why are our modern canines such doggy divas about coat care?

In this article, we’ll talk about how humans changed the course of hairstyle history, and of course, what that means for Dog Owners today!

Why do dogs need grooming? Because the King said so!

Dogs have been lauded as status symbols in Europe for well over a thousand years. Hungarian Vizslas, for instance, were often given as gifts of high honour between kingdoms. In Ireland, legend has it that Ailbé, the Irish Wolfhound, was so treasured that an argument over his ownership started a war! And by the time that Henry III of France came to power, no one batted an eye at the fact that he carried his three Bichons in a basket around his neck.

Of course, European rulers weren’t the only ones with impressive-looking puppers. Chow Chows were once owned exclusively by the wealthiest families in China. Their guarding duties were secondary to their primary purpose of intimidating visitors with their beauty and power (and price tag!).

Not only were these highly prized dogs given the best food and the cosiest kennels, but they also enjoyed the pampering of dedicated pet groomers. Whether they were sitting alongside the throne, repairing diplomatic ties abroad, or intimidating enemies, these royal doggos had to look their best.

Not all dogs were living in the lap of luxury

The vast majority of dogs throughout history did not receive the royal treatment. Instead, they were bred to perform certain jobs for their Owners. Some were personal protection dogs, others bred to hunt vermin. Sheep herding and livestock guarding was about as common as hunting and scent tracking. And because dogs were bred to fit such a wide range of job descriptions, they also needed the right uniforms to do their jobs well.

The Komondor, for example, has a naturally wooly white coat that allows them to blend in perfectly with a flock of sheep—quite clever for a dog tasked with guarding the pack from wolves and other predators! The Poodle sports a coat specially designed for their former role as waterfowl hunters. That sculpted curly do was essential for providing them with buoyancy and warmth in the cold rivers of the German countryside. 

Other dogs were bred to have a coat as low-maintenance as possible. The Australian Cattle Dog is one such pup; their Owners were much too busy tending to the herd than grooming their doggos. 

Everywhere you look in the dog world, you’ll find that coat type and grooming needs hold secrets about a breed’s working background!

Why do dogs need grooming today? 

In the modern world, a Schnauzer no longer needs an impressive beard to protect them from the rats they once hunted. And a Papillon doesn’t need to be looking their best for an appearance at Versaille. But grooming is still a common practice for our household hounds. And there are a few different reasons for that.

The first one is simply practical. Humans have always loved doggos. But, nowadays, we’ve taken it to a whole new level. We welcome our puppers into our homes, our cars, our offices, and even our beds! So it’s really no surprise that we want them to be clean, even if they’d rather be caked in mud their whole lives. Plus, regular grooming goes a long way towards reducing the amount of shedding that ends up on our furniture and clothes….well, for those of us who don’t own super shedders, that is!

Grooming is also a way to keep our doggos happy and healthy. Regular brushing can prevent uncomfortable or painful matting and tangles, while also giving us a chance to spot and remove parasites. It also helps to distribute our dogs’ natural oils and shake out loose dead skin and hair follicles. Other grooming tasks, such as ear cleaning and tooth brushing, are absolutely vital to canine health. 

The last reason we groom our dogs today is for aesthetic purposes. We pouf up the Poodle pompadours, comb out the silky Saluki ears, and sculpt the Fox Terrier beard as an homage to the work that breeds have done for us for generations. Whether they’re conforming to breed standards in a dog show or simply strutting their stuff around the neighbourhood, we humans just love a throwback. 

Inspired to help your pup to look their best? Here are a few grooming tips to get you started:

• Learn more about your dog’s breed. If you’re looking to conform to your dog’s breed standard or want to know the best way to keep their coat healthy, learning more about their unique coat type will help. Fellow hound Owners, for instance, tend to have a range of tips for reducing the oily hound smell. Wire-haired pooch Owners may be able to offer advice about hand stripping. And if you’ve got a mix, the quality of their coat may just reveal who their ancestors are!

• Make grooming fun (or at least tolerable!). All dogs need at least some grooming, even if it’s just the occasional bath or nail trimming. You can make the process much easier if you start early and teach your pup to associate grooming with something good. For instance, you might give them their favourite treats or a special dog toy that only comes out when the clippers do. And, it’s usually a good idea to schedule your grooming sessions when they’re the most relaxed, like after a long walk or play session.

• Feed your dog a high quality diet. Foods that are filled with natural fats like Omega-3s are a great way to boost your dog’s coat health. Consider switching your pup to an all-natural raw dog food so that they can enjoy a softer, shinier, and stronger coat.

Need some grooming products & tools?

Pet Chemist have a range of dog brushes, shampoo & conditioners, detangling sprays, nail clippers and so much more! Simply visit their website to order your dog grooming supplies online and have them conveniently shipped to your door.

Find a groomer you can trust.

Pet groomers have been around for hundreds of years, so why not leave it up to the pros?

Browse and find a Mad Paws Dog Groomer near you – take a look at their reviews, reach out and ask a few questions, then book for your fur baby in for a trim & style!

The post Why do dogs need grooming? appeared first on Mad Paws.

In this article, we answer the question “Why do cats have coarse tongues?” once and for all.

Grooming: Cats use their tongues as cleaning implements 

As any cat lover will know, kitties maintain the highest grooming standards. For this reason, their tongues function like a mixture between a mop and a broom. While the moisture from their saliva cleans their fur and nullifies bad odours, their tongue barbs (or “papillae”) latch onto dirt, detached fur, and any other errant mess.

Beyond rinsing and cleaning, their papillae also act as brushes, straightening out fur knots and clumps. Of course, all of that loose hair needs to go somewhere – which is why cats often cough up fur balls.

If you need to reduce their self-grooming a little, consider some of the cat grooming products from our friends at Pet Chemist. Simply order online and all your cat’s essentials will be delivered direct to your door within days!

Eating: They don’t speak with forked tongues, but their tongue is their fork 

Similar to the way in which pooches eat their dog dinner, cats use their tongues to scoop up food.  In the wild, the papillae on cats’ tongues can shear the meat off the bone of any prey they’ve claimed. While this purpose may seem pointless for lap cats, it serves as a reminder that our fluffballs are still predators.

Hydration: A cat’s coarse tongue makes drinking water easier

When drinking, the structure of the papillae aids in lapping up liquids more effectively, as they can bring water into the mouth more efficiently than a smooth tongue would.

A final interesting fact about the anatomy of a cat…
Cat tongues and fingernails have more in common that you might think.

So, these papillae we’ve been talking about? The clusters of tiny barbs that make our cats’ tongues rough? They use keratin as their building blocks. As a type of protein, keratin is a key ingredient in human hair and fingernails. In other words, keratin could be the common denominator that makes both fingernails and cat tongues “scratchy”.

Looking for someone to look after your cat when you’re away? 

Whether you’re going on holidays, have to travel for work, or simply need a quick house visit to check in on your feline friend, enlist the help of a Mad Paws Cat Sitter. Mad Paws offer a more personalised service than a traditional cattery might…and we all know cats like particular care!

Find a Mad Paws Pet Sitter near you >

The post Why do cats have coarse tongues? appeared first on Mad Paws.

Plus, some specific cats may need a little human intervention. If you’ve ever asked yourself, your cat-loving friends, or your trusted Cat Sitter if you should bathe your feline, you’ve come to the right place. We’re about to get to the squeaky-clean truth about cat hygiene.

If you don’t bathe your cat, don’t panic

Let’s say you were to call your vet and tell them, “I think I’m a bad Cat Owner because I’ve never given my cat a bath.” Chances are, they might laugh a little. In fact, your vet would probably be touched at your good intentions.

But at the end of the day, your cat probably doesn’t need your help. Cats spend half of their waking time bathing themselves, and after thousands of years of surviving without human intervention, they’ve gotten pretty good at it.

Just how good are cats at self-bathing? Here are some of their cat bathing accomplishments:

• Shaking out dirt and loose hair
• Detangling their fur and preventing matting
• Warding off fleas and other parasites
• Keeping themselves cool in the absence of sweat glands
• Maintaining healthy skin with normal oil levels

Cats have even developed specialised barbs on their tongue to make grooming more efficient, like a built-in comb. And when they live in colonies, cats will bathe each other, which solidifies bonds and ensures that older cats remain clean even when they’ve lost mobility.

Not only is self-bathing necessary for a cat’s health, but it also makes them happy. Felines release endorphins during self-bathing, just like you might sign up for a spa day when you need a little self-care.

With all of these wonderful benefits, then, it makes sense that humans might think twice about bathing their cat. Plus, bathing can cause undue emotional stress. After all, many cats don’t simply dislike water, they actually fear it. Forcing them into the bath can negatively impact their mental health and your relationship. It can make it harder for them to trust you, and anyone else, from family members to friendly Pet Sitters.

That seems like the conclusion, then, right? The answer to “Should you bathe your cat?” is no.

But hold on a minute! That’s not the end of the discussion.

Should you bathe your cat? Some circumstances require it

In the majority of cases, Cat Owners don’t need to worry about bathing their cat. And for cats who really hate water, it should be avoided so as to lower their stress and preserve your hard-won trusting relationship.

But there are a few situations in which the answer to, “Should you bathe your cat” is yes.

First, let’s talk breed. Some cat breeds actually require bathing. Why? Because we made them that way. Cats like the Sphynx and the Selkirk Rex are not what you would consider natural breeds. They were altered to have unique coats, either hairless or curly. As a result, they must be bathed to maintain proper health.

If you can believe it, some cat breeds enjoy bath time. Turkish Vans, Turkish Angoras, Savannahs, Abyssinians, and Siberian Cats are all known for their love of water. So, if you can’t keep them out of the sink, you might as well take advantage and keep them extra clean with some cat shampoo and conditioner.

Other candidates for regular bath time include elderly cats or cats with limited mobility. Even if there are other cats in the home who can help out with grooming, it’s still a good idea to step in and keep that coat clean.

For cats who need or want regular bathing, don’t exceed more than one bath per month or 6 weeks.

Finally, there are some situations in which a one-time bath may be required. For instance, if you’ve just adopted a cat off the street or they’ve otherwise been exposed to fleas or other parasites, you’ll want to bathe them. As talented as cats are at self-grooming, you don’t want to allow an infestation to go unchecked. So get a special flea shampoo and bubble bath it up! The same goes for if your cat has gotten into something particularly difficult for them to remove themselves or something that poses a risk to their health if ingested.

What if your cat is constantly dirty?

Some Cat Owners assume that if their cat is dirty all the time, it’s just one of their fur baby’s unique quirks. They may choose to bathe their less-than-clean cat to compensate for their feline’s bad smell or matted fur.

It’s important to note, however, that improper self-bathing could be a sign of a medical condition or severe stress. Instead of bathing your cat, get the advice of a vet and rule out any underlying causes.

Should you bathe your cat more if you have allergies?

Unfortunately, when it comes to cat allergies, it’s not all in the fur. While allergens are present in cat dander, they can also be found in cat saliva and urine. That’s why no cats, even hairless cats or silky haired cats, are considered completely hypoallergenic.

If someone in your family has a cat allergy that can’t be solved with medication, bathing is not likely to make a difference.

Bathing and grooming are two different things

One last thing that we’d like to highlight is that however you decide to answer the question, “Should you bathe your cat?”, you shouldn’t mix up bathing with grooming.

While cats self-bathe, you’re not completely off the hook for some regular grooming tasks. Brushing your cat, for instance, is an important way that you can prevent hairballs or other digestive upset related to self-bathing. Regular brushing will also prevent tangling and matting, and it can even help to keep your cat cooler during the warm summer months.

You will also want to wipe your cat’s nose, eyes, and ears to keep them clean and free of bacteria. Dental hygiene is another priority when it comes to cat grooming.

Final thoughts on the age-old question, “Should you bathe your cat?”

As is often the case when it comes to responsible pet care, the answer is… “it depends.” Different circumstances, such as age, breed, and disposition will determine whether you should bathe your cat or allow them to bathe themselves.

And however you choose to answer the question, “Should you bathe your cat,” remember that your grooming responsibilities extend beyond the bathtub. Cats rely on their loving humans for regular brushing, dental hygiene and other grooming tasks.

The post Should you bathe your cat? appeared first on Mad Paws.

This month we hear from Dr Charis Hii from the amazing team at My Vet Animal Hospital. If you live in the Sydney area, check out My Vet Animal Hospital for all your furry needs! 

Summer and warmer seasons equals long days at the beach, in the bush and at the park with your fur babies. To make sure you really enjoy your day out, make sure your pet is protected against parasites. In this blog post, we’re going to talk about my pet hate: ticks.

What are ticks?

Ticks are little bugs closely related to spiders (you can tell by their 8 legs, although baby ticks have 6). They’re annoying little parasites which feed on blood, sometimes leaving nasty little surprises behind.

There are several species we’re interested in: bush ticks, brown dog ticks, and paralysis ticks.

Image credit: Virbac Australia

Why are ticks bad?

Now, I hate ticks in general – as I would any parasite whose goal in life is to feed off my furbaby. Bush ticks and brown dog ticks can cause anaemia and carry some pretty nasty blood-borne parasites. This is usually characterised by lethargy, loss of appetite and pale gums.

That said, I have a special hatred for paralysis ticks. These nasty ticks not only feed on blood, engorged female ticks inject a neurotoxin into the bloodstream – paralysing your furbaby. To complicate matters, this doesn’t just affect your furbaby’s motion, it affects their breathing and swallowing as well. How your furbaby’s body responds can vary: some have mild symptoms, some cases result in death.

Treatment is often intensive, involving: days in hospital for fluids, anti-tick serum to neutralise the neurotoxin, and, sometimes, a ventilator to help your furbaby breathe.

That’s why we’re such strong advocates for tick prevention. Why put your furbaby through all of that when you have such easy access to tick prevention?

How do I prevent them?

There are different types of tick prevention on the market. There are spot-ons, tablets, and collars. Below are some examples of the more reputable parasite protection brands on the market.

Regardless of what you choose, you must use the product as directed. The label is really important here! It can get quite overwhelming at the pet store, especially with all the options out there.

If you use a spot-on, be careful not to let your furbaby swim or shower shortly after. With you use a tablet, make sure you get the correct size. Or if you’re using a collar, make sure you’re replacing it frequently enough.

Importantly, never ever use dog products on cats. The only product available for cats is the Frontline Plus spot-on, which has to be applied every fortnightly. Products like Advantix, while safe for dogs, are toxic to cats, so please read the labels carefully.

How do you choose between them? You should be looking for something that suits your furbaby’s needs and your needs. The best prevention is whatever you can apply consistently and confidently. And, that said, if you and your furbaby are constantly out in the bush, it’s always a good idea to perform a tick search.

If you find a tick on your furbaby or in your furbaby’s environment, it’s always a good idea to bring it in for your vet to have a look! Sometimes when the ticks are really small, we need to put them under a microscope to make sure they’re not paralysis ticks.

How do I remove them?

The most reliable way to remove ticks is to do so manually. Grasp the tick as close to the point of attachment as possible and pull up with steady pressure. You can do this with a pair of tweezers or specialised tick removers. Try not to twist or jerk as you do this! We don’t want to leave the tick’s mouthpiece behind.

That said, the safest thing you can do is bring your dog in! Your vet can remove the tick safely, identify it, and then advise you on next steps.

In summary

Ticks are terrible, but they’re a manageable threat. Rates of tick paralysis have decreased enormously over the past few years with increasing awareness and the ease of using oral preventatives like Nexgard.

That said, if you have any questions or concerns, especially when it comes to tailoring a prevention protocol for your furbaby, your best resource will be your local veterinarian! We – or maybe just me – nerd out about these things all the time and we want what’s best for your furbaby.

The post Vet Guest Spot: Ticks on dogs appeared first on Mad Paws.

Handling

Temperature and Sound

Strange Smells

Some Last Tips

1. Don’t call your dog when it’s time to give him a bath, just go get him. It may ruin his “come” command
2. Try to create a positive association to the bathing area.  Start doing things your dog likes there, such as playing, eating, training, etc.  This will alleviate some of the initial stress when it comes to bath time.
3. Get everything ready and within reach so you can get the bath over and done with quickly! 
4. Have his favourite treat or toy ready to reward your dog when he’s doing well.

The post How To Bath Your Dog appeared first on Mad Paws.