It really depends on what type of grooming you are planning to do.
If you are planning to just maintain your dog between groomings, then your needs would be pretty basic. Brush, comb, shampoo, conditioner if you're using one, and dryer.
I would stick with the C.C. shampoo's since you are already using them on your crew and it's good stuff. Your poodles individual coat and grooming needs will determine the formual of shampoo you use.
If you're planning to do ALL the grooming yourself and or show your dog in the conformation rings then you pretty much need everything. A generalized list of tools with my opinions follows
Clippers of your choice. I like andis better than oster personaly I like the way they feel in my hand. I have the Andis Ultra Edge 2 speed. It is a good idea to go ahead and shell out the money for more expensive clippers rather than replace walmart or petstore cheep-o's over and over, which I promise You WILL, espeicaly if you plan to clip the hair all over on your dog with any regularity.
-blades in #10, #15, #30, and #40. Blade lengths depend on how close you are planning to go on face, feet, and tail. the 10 blade is for the sanitary area. Ironicly enough I perfer Oster blades to the ones made by andis. I dislike ceramic blades but again like everything else it's a personal choice. I find though that they don't cut as well or stay sharp nearly as long. I mostly use the oster Elite cryongenX blades. Depending on how you wish to trim the hair you may also want to invest in blades sized #5, #4. Five is pretty short, I would consider a dog done with a 5 shaved down. A #4 is also short but is long enough to leave a slightly plush look, black dogs done with 4 blades tend to look like crushed velvet.
If longer length are desired a good set of gaurd combs will be needed to use over a #30 or #40 blade. In my salon most of my clients ask me for "short but fluffy" and as a result one of my favorite clips is a lamb clip with a #2 Gaurd over a 40 blade with either a 0Gaurd on the legs or I just blend them in if they want them obviously longer. A 2 will leave an easy to maintain plush finish that looks longer than it really is in some cases. A 0 gaurd will leave hair about an inch long.
-You'll also need good quality shears. For somebody who is just starting out grooming wise or who just wants to do basic grooming on their own personal pet I would point them towards the heritage brand, I like the stiletto myself. They are priced right for somebody who may not need or want to spend big bucks on scissors.
A good quality slicker bush and or pin brush and a comb should suffice for keeping the hair tangle free and fluffing it up during grooming so you get an even cut. I won't voice an opinions on brands or types here since everyone has a favorite where brushes and such are concerned.
Ear powder if you are planning to remove the ear hair on the inside of the ear, this depends on which school of thought you subscribe to on the subject. Most groomers and vets suggest this hair be removed, Some argue against it, and some say it depends on the dog. I don't pluck my own poodle's ear hair but it is because she doesn't seem to be growing any.
obviously nobody needs to tell you that you will need nail clippers and or a grinder, and I would assume the same would be true about various methods of dental care since you have IG's.
fftopic: but I am very excited - I just ordered a set of 9" Roseline scissors and they should be here anyday now. I have been using 5.5" straight and curved cause everyone said smaller was better for learning and they are great for malts and shih's and that size, but I was finding now T is growing they just don't cut it **pun intended** on his long legs SO I have graduated to a decent length scissor :biggrin:
