What’s the difference between a Poodle with long hair and short hair? Poodles are one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. These dogs are beautiful and regal creatures that have captured people’s hearts from all walks of life.
Imagine a typical Poodle; these dogs have beautiful, well-maintained curly hair, sometimes shaved in certain areas. But did you know that Poodles can have long hair? That’s right; not all Poodles are shaved. Now, you might be thinking about all the benefits of a long-haired Poodle.
However, it is essential to remember that there are benefits and drawbacks to a Poodle with long hair. Below you will find the pros and cons of keeping your Poodle’s hair long so you can decide whether this is the best hairdo for your puppy.
Before you scroll down to a more in-depth comparison of this guide, “Pros and Cons of a Poodle with Long Hair,” you can check out these other dog-related guides from our team at We Love Doodles: Important Facts About the Moyen Poodle and Cockapoo vs. Poodle Dog Breed Comparison Guide.
Pros of a Poodle with Long Hair
First, look at the good aspects of keeping your Poodle’s hair long. Some of these reasons may not impact your Poodle, depending on where you live and your preferences. Remember, what may seem like a pro to some may be a con to others, so keep this in mind when deciding how to keep your Poodle’s hair.
1. Long Hair Poodles Can Have Beautiful Curls
One of the biggest pros of a long-haired Poodle is the full display of beautiful curls that you will be able to see on your dog. As long as your dog’s coat is adequately cared for, this haircut displays Poodles’ beautiful ringlets.
Some Poodles may even naturally develop dreadlocks, also known as cords, when hair becomes long. These cords are beautiful and unique but require extreme maintenance or can cause your dog discomfort (see cons for a more in-depth explanation).
More Poodle Guides: Best Poodle Rescues For Adoption in the United States.
2. Temperature Regulation For Long Hair Poodles
When it comes to Poodles, the longer the hair, the more regulated their temperature will be. When hair is long, it creates a layer of insulation, resulting in protection from the elements.
Therefore, keeping your Poodle’s hair long protects it in cold and warm weather, despite what you may think. When the air is cold, it traps warmth around your dog, and when the air is warm, it traps coolness.
More Poodle Guides: When is a Toy Poodle Full Grown?
3. A Long Hair Poodle is Cheaper
It is cheaper to maintain a Poodle with a long coat for grooming. Poodles often require a professional groomer to conduct their haircuts to get the classic Poodle look. Therefore, keeping their hair long and getting them groomed less frequently is cheaper.
However, it is essential to remember that although keeping your Poodle’s hair long will reduce the frequency of grooming, it still needs to be groomed occasionally. This is because Poodle hair is constantly growing. So, you must cut it; keeping it long means grooming less often.
More Poodle Guides: Black Toy Poodle Information, Facts, and Images.
4. Long Hair Poodles Are Fluffy and Cuddly
Lastly, there is no denying that long-haired Poodles are adorable. These dogs have fluffy fur that makes them exceedingly huggable. With their beautiful long hair, you won’t be able to resist cuddling with your Poodle. Whether it has long curls, cords, or a mixture of different textures, it is guaranteed to be cute with long hair.
More Poodle Guides: Are Poodles Good Guard Dogs?
Cons of a Poodle with Long Hair
Unfortunately, along with the pros of a long-haired Poodle, there are also some cons. Similar to the pros, some cons may not be as impactful to some people compared to others.
For example, if you do not plan on showing your Poodle in dog shows, the length of the hair does not affect that. That being said, some of these affect all Poodles and must be considered when deciding the length of your dog’s hair.
1. Regular Grooming Required For a Long Hair Poodle
The biggest drawback to keeping your Poodle’s hair long is the required daily grooming and having proper tools like scissors for Poodles and other items. Brushing your Poodle daily to keep its hair long would be best. This is because their hair is dense and curly, which means it becomes matted exceptionally quickly.
This brushing requires patience and time, especially if you have a larger dog like a Standard Poodle. Additionally, your Poodle will still need to receive a haircut once in a while, even if you want the hair to remain long. This is because Poodles do not shed.
Therefore, their hair will continuously grow, so it is impossible to avoid trimming altogether. Grooming also requires time to train your dog to be comfortable in these situations. If your dog is uncomfortable being brushed or trimmed with clippers, it will make for big problems for you or your groomer.
More Poodle Guides: Silver Standard Poodle Information, Facts, and Images.
2. Long Hair in a Poodle Can Cause Pain and Discomfort
Without the regular grooming described above, your dog may begin to experience pain and discomfort from their long hair. Suppose you do not provide your long-haired Poodle with daily brushing. In that case, its hair will become tangled and matted, which can be uncomfortable.
The longer the hair gets, the heavier it will become, and soon it will begin to pull and create sores along your dog’s skin. Additionally, getting a brush through your dog’s hair may become physically impossible if you leave it unbrushed for an extended period.
The longer you wait between brushings, the more matted it becomes. When you finally decide to brush it, you may be physically unable to get the brush through the hair without pulling at the skin.
This can cause your dog extreme discomfort and should be avoided. If your dog’s coat becomes too matted, you should opt for a shave; this will prevent the painful experience of detangling.
3. A Long Hair Poodle Can Be Unhygienic
Unfortunately, Poodles are more likely to experience hygiene problems with longer hair. Mainly due to the density of the curls that make up Poodle coats, they are more exposed to fleas and dirt and burs being caught in their hair.
Because the hair is so long, fleas and other insects have an easy time burrowing and staying hidden on your dog. Additionally, dirt will stick easier to longer fur, so if you keep your Poodle’s hair long, you will have to brush it daily.
Avoiding a long-haired coat may be a better choice if your Poodle spends lots of time outdoors, increasing exposure to these hygiene risks.
More Poodle Guides: Best Miniature Poodle Rescues For Adoption in the United States.
4. Long Hair in a Poodle Can Impede Senses
Letting your Poodle’s hair grow too long can impede some of your dog’s primary senses. For example, Poodle hair will grow continuously if not cut so that the hair will cover the mouth, nose, and eyes.
When your dog’s mouth becomes covered, it can negatively impact its ability to eat and breathe. Similarly, suppose a dog’s nose becomes covered. In that case, it can affect the dog’s ability to eat because the dog will have trouble breathing through the nose while the mouth is busy chewing.
The nose is also responsible for your dog’s most heightened sense: the sense of smell. Therefore, when hair begins to cover it, your dog will lose its primary source of information.
Eyes are responsible for your dog’s sight, so if you keep its hair too long, you may begin to see your dog running into things. This can be extremely dangerous if your dog often spends time outdoors, as it can wander into traffic.
More Poodle Guides: How Do Poodle with Dreads Work?
5. Long Hair Poodle Doesn’t Meet Dog Show Standards
If you plan to show your Poodle in the competition ring, your Poodle will not be allowed to have a long haircut. This is because show rings are incredibly stringent regarding the standards the American Kennel Club (AKC) set out. The AKC gives four different haircuts that your Poodle can wear in the show ring, and long hair is not one of them.
More Poodle Guides: Portuguese Water Dog vs. Poodle Dog Breed Comparison.
6. A Long Hair Poodle Can Have an Unruly Appearance
As mentioned in our pros section, if you are dedicated to brushing your long-haired Poodle daily, your dog will have a unique and beautiful appearance. If you cannot keep up with these high-maintenance grooming needs, you will find that your dog adopts an unruly appearance.
This results in your dog looking messy rather than adorable. Therefore, it is best to cut hair short for your dog’s comfort and appearance if daily brushing is unlikely.
More Poodle Guides: Basenji Poodle Mix Information, Facts, and Images.
Conclusion For “Pros and Cons of a Poodle with Long Hair”
No “right” or “wrong” haircut exists for any dog breed as long as your dog is comfortable and safe. Therefore, keeping your Poodle’s hair long is a personal choice that you can make.
There are many pros and cons of a Poodle with long hair, so be sure to weigh them to decide if this is the right hairstyle for your dog. As you can see, much dedication is required if you leave your Poodle’s hair long.
This hairstyle is beautiful and unique, but it must be maintained responsibly, or it can harm your dog’s safety and overall comfort. However, if you like the look of a long-haired Poodle but do not have time to maintain this length on the whole body, you can always try shaving specific spots on your dog.
For example, many Poodles sport shaved faces and legs with longer bodies. This haircut only requires you to brush the longer parts of the dog instead of the whole thing, which reduces daily time spent maintaining the coat.
If you find this guide, “Pros and Cons of a Poodle with Long Hair,” helpful, you can check out these other dog-related guides from our team:
You can learn more about other breeds similar to a Poodle with long hair by watching “Top 10 Adorable Small Dog Breeds with Long Hair” down below:
Andy is a full-time animal rescuer and owner of a toy doodle. When he’s not saving dogs, Andy is one of our core writers and editors. He has been writing about dogs for over a decade. Andy joined our team because he believes that words are powerful tools that can change a dog’s life for the better.
Why Trust We Love Doodles?
At We Love Doodles, we’re a team of writers, veterinarians, and puppy trainers that love dogs. Our team of qualified experts researches and provides reliable information on a wide range of dog topics. Our reviews are based on customer feedback, hands-on testing, and in-depth analysis. We are fully transparent and honest to our community of dog owners and future owners.