for deep snowballs generally a rinse in warm water is the easiest fastest way to get rid of them. Even just a bucket of warm water and dip & slosh each leg, then they just need to dry out and have a brush to fluff them back up.

 

A blow dryer might be good for the snowballs? I've heard many times that you shouldn't brush a dry or dirty coat, but I think that's more for show grooming. If you're happy w/ the length of his coat and breaking hair isn't a problem, then I don't see why you need to use spray. I think a conditioning spray would help w/ the static though. There are many products and you can always just dilute a bit of basic conditioner (doesn't even have to be dog conditioner) in some water.

 

Biogroom makes an anti-static spray (called anti-stat) that I use a lot on fly-away coats when I'm grooming and is also great on cats. Amazon sells it, as well as on-line pet supply companies - seems to be a reallly good price on amazon - $5 for 12 ounces. A little goes a long way - I hold the bottle about 6" from the coat and for a small poodle top-knot, it would probably take one good spray.

For the snowballs, I use a dryer on my dog's - just enough to melt the balls for me to break them up and pull them from the fur.

 

Misting with water works fine. I mean, we have a ton of static here, so I do have to spritz him down or else the static gets overwhelming, but we don't need to spring for anything fancy. I used Miracle Coat Leave in Conditioner until it ran low, then I filled the bottle with water (mixed with what little conditioner there was left) and that worked fine. Just water works as well, it's pretty nice and leaves his coat feeling a lot better because it's not all dried out and break-y. I like having the conditioner in there because it leaves him smelling nice, and not like wet dog lol.
I think if you just got a spray bottle and filled it with water (mixed with a little bit of conditioner if you want) it would work perfect for what you need.

 

For snowballs, I just put Vinnie in an ex-pen in the kitchen to dry for about 1/2 hour and we're good.

 

I dry brush too and always wonder if it's the right thing to do...
the snow ball thing is becoming a real issue for us, we've had tons of snow over the last few days and Rogan loves goofing around in it for hours! His coat is quite long and wow, those snow balls get huge! I had no choice but to bath him yesterday after we had been outside about an hour... I didn't get a pic of the snow balls but here you can see how deep and fluffy the snow is! (and sticky)

he had them all underneath on his belly and everything... he couldn't even walk properly!! Can't wait for Spring!

 

Thanks so much everyone for the helpful suggestions! I have in the past used the blow dryer for BIG, honking, really stuck in there snowballs but was concerned with doing too much drying. The idea of wetting him down a bit in warm water is good. Also appreciate the thoughts on dry versus damp daily brushing for a pet coat. I will use the anti-static stuff. Very helpful and reassuring to have conversations with experienced poodle people! This is my first poodle and his first winter so there's lots to learn! One thing he's learned is that chasing the snowballs we throw him is a losing proposition!! haha!

 

Yup, I've done this with Chagall too but he looks so darn sad in the "drying pen" that I say, what the heck, let him lay around on our nice new carpet and rugs and get dry! Nothing's too good for a great dog like him!!