Breed family
Curly-coated dog breeds: brushing, clipping and the right tools
Why low-shedding curly coats still need daily brushing or a short trim, the slicker-and-comb routine, clipping limits in summer and the tools that fit.
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Short answer
Curly coats like the Poodle's shed little because the hair keeps growing, which is why AAHA says they need regular grooming. Brush and comb to the skin daily if the coat is long, or keep a shorter trim, as AKC says most Poodle owners do. Core tools: slicker brush, metal comb, clippers. Avoid brushing only the surface: AKC says a full coat that isn't combed to the skin mats near the roots and may have to be shaved off.
What fitsAll 4 items that fit
- Long-pin slickerExtra-long-pin slicker brush for curly and doodle coatsView on AliExpress
- ClipperRechargeable pet hair clipperView on AliExpress
- Metal combAndis 68550 stainless steel pet dematting comb, 7.5 inCheck price on Amazon
What they share
- Coat type (AKC)
- Curly (the Poodle's AKC tag)[1][2]AAHA: hair that keeps growing needs regular grooming.
- Shedding (AKC, 1-5)
- Low: the Poodle rates 1 of 5[1]
- Brushing (AKC guidance)
- Daily for a full coat, combed to the skin; less in a short trim[1]
- Clipping and shaving
- Pet trims are normal; for summer, leave at least an inch instead of shaving to the skin[3][1]A coat matted at the roots may have to be shaved off (AKC).
- Professional grooming
- Every four to six weeks for Poodles kept by a groomer (AKC)[1]
Watch out for
- Low shedding is not low maintenance. AAHA says continuously growing hair needs regular grooming, and AKC says a Poodle coat that isn't combed to the skin mats near the roots.
- Skip bladed deshedding tools: FURminator says its deShedding tool should not be used on non-shedding breeds.
- Remove mats with clippers, never scissors, and get a groomer or vet for severe tangles (VCA).
- Watch clipper heat: AKC's groomer standards flag clipper sensitivity and burns. Checking the blade often against your wrist is common practice.
What fits
Product details below are the seller's own description unless a source is shown. Pick the variant named for each item.
Long-pin slicker
Extra-long-pin slicker brush for curly and doodle coatsChoose the single brush; any color.
Sold for curly and doodle coats, per the seller; VCA says slicker brushes work well for curly, non-shedding coats.
Sold by Stone's Store
View on AliExpressClipper
Rechargeable pet hair clipperChoose the standard version.
For short pet trims and tidy-ups. The seller doesn't state blade lengths or coat types.
Sold by YiHong Kuchi Store
View on AliExpressMetal comb
Andis 68550 stainless steel pet dematting comb, 7.5 inChoose the Andis 68550 7.5 in stainless steel dematting comb. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or Andis before you buy.
For combing to the skin, which AKC says a full Poodle coat needs. Andis doesn't state its tooth spacing.
Check price on AmazonGuard combs
Andis 562014 premium clip comb set, 7 combs, for UltraEdge and CeramicEdge #10 bladesChoose the Andis 562014 clip comb set, seven combs from 1/16 to 1 in, only for a clipper fitted with an Andis UltraEdge or CeramicEdge #10 blade, such as the UltraEdge #10 (64071) we list. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or Andis before you buy.
Andis lists these combs for its UltraEdge and CeramicEdge #10 blades, not for the cordless clipper above; they are not universal. For a summer trim, AKC advises leaving at least an inch of hair rather than shaving to the skin.
Check price on Amazon
Breeds in this family
Long coat: every day, brush in sections with a slicker, then comb each section to the skin. Short trim: a few brushing sessions a week, which is AKC's general baseline for most dogs, plus a clip every few weeks at home or at a groomer.
For summer, AKC lists Poodles among single-coated dogs that may get an occasional professional clip but shouldn't be shaved to the skin; it suggests leaving at least an inch of hair.
Before clipping at home, read dog clipper blade sizes explained and clipper guard combs explained; for brush choice, see slicker vs pin brush.
Questions
Do curly-coated dogs shed?
Very little. AAHA explains that dogs with continuously growing hair, such as poodles, have a hair cycle dominated by the growth phase, so the hair keeps growing and needs regular grooming. AKC rates the Poodle 1 of 5 for shedding.[2][1]
Which brush suits a curly coat?
VCA says slicker brushes work well for curly, non-shedding coats like poodles. Follow the slicker with a metal comb to the skin: AKC says a Poodle coat that isn't brushed and combed completely to the skin mats near the roots.[4][1]
How often should a curly coat be bathed?
VCA says non-shedding breeds with no health issues typically need a bath about every six to eight weeks. Brush out tangles before the bath and dry the coat fully afterward.[4]