Standard Poodles -
The Corded Poodle

When it comes to one of the most popular breeds of dog, the Poodle may possess long fur that displays a clip for show or highlight a creation that suits their owner's tastes. Once viewed in the same manner as a Curly Poodle, a rather rare variation of Poodle fur is referred to as "corded," a style characterized by rope-like mats that resemble the look of a Komondor.

There is an assortment of reasons why corded coats are not a common display on this particular breed of dog. For starters, the coats of a Corded Poodle are quite difficult to keep clean and after a bath, it takes a lengthy amount of time to completely dry the fur. Since the beginning days of the breed, the coat style of a Poodle has become one of its glaring characteristics. While the most common appearance of the dog concentrated on shaving the hair located on common parts of the body, such as the hindquarters, Corded Poodles were also viewed as a fashionable statement.

The coat of a Corded Poodle was rolled and twisted into long, tight ringlets that demanded individual attention. The rope-like pieces of fur were created with the use of petroleum jelly or wax that allowed the fur to retain its matted appearance. The aim was to generate the same look throughout the coat, allowing it to grow until it reached the ground.

As the 1800s came to a close, the Corded Poodle enjoyed a successful stretch in popularity. Early dog shows often highlighted the corded coat of the Poodle. The act eventually sparked a heated debate as to whether Corded Poodles and the curly variety were part of the same family yet separate breeds. It was later surmised that the coat of a Poodle didn’t mean it carried enough criteria to deem it a different class of the breed. Both the Corded and Curly Poodle carried the same characteristics and bone structure. Standards associated with the Poodle include intelligence, firm proportion, sound movement, pride, and energy. Poodles are also full of personality and possess a good nature.

Some dog owners are able to detect the kind of fur their Poodle will possess by scanning the newborn coat. A Poodle with a single or short coat will not cord. A few details to pay attention to includes the waviness or straightness of a newborn coat, which later comes in handy in determining the moment when cord development should begin. As a rule of thumb, most coats are corded around 7 to 9 months of age and sometimes later.

Cording the Poodle's Coat

When starting the process of cording for a Poodle, some owners allow the puppy's coat to mat by not brushing the fur. Over time, it then becomes the responsibility of the owner to manually separate the mats to create narrow segments. Some Poodle coats will form fine ribbons of mat practically without the help of another. Often, you will see that the curlier the coat – the easier the process.

Once the matting process of a Corded Poodle has taken off, a weekly misting with water or a leave-in conditioner is highly suggested. Air-drying should also follow the misting, which is recommended to take place several times throughout the week. A once-a-week bath is also in order. A thorough blow-dry after a full bath is essential to avoid the presence of unpleasant mildew. When separating mats with your fingers, the proper method involves pulling from the skin in an outward manner. The only time to take a downward approach is to split mature cords.

In order to maintain a healthy Corded Poodle, who possesses an odor-free appearance, a high level of cleanliness is vital. Frequent cleaning of the coat is a must, as well as avoiding damaging or threatening circumstances that hinders the cleanliness of the coat. For instance, you might not want your Corded Poodle to romp about the garden or tall grass in order to avoid the accumulation of unwanted debris.

When bathing a Corded Poodle, a top-notch, shampoo that produces a low amount of suds is recommended because it is easier to rinse out. Corded coats are also bathed in the same manner as a curly coat – diluted shampoo is placed on a wet dog and then rinsed thoroughly. Next, one should towel-dry the dog on a table or with a layer of towels in a crate. Standing dryers are also used until the coat becomes completely dry, which means a periodic spot check to catch remaining water. Any moisture left behind will create an unwanted outcome.

When conditioning the coat of the dog, it is important to steer clear of oils, which was a common maintenance technique during the 1800s. This type of substance is hard to remove and over time, creates a sour smell in the coat. Oils also attract dirt and especially wreak havoc on Corded Poodles who are white or light in color.

Overall, the spectacle of a Corded Poodle is one that generates curiosity, as it is not a common sight to see. This is why the development, maintenance, and cleansing of this particular coat is a representation of many years of hard work and careful attention.

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