Poodle breed Information
Poodle: The Ultimate Breed Guide 2020
Curly and fuzzy! This ancient, highly-desired and unique breed is exceptionally bright, friendly and easy to train. Though they have an excellent temperament, the Poodle is high-maintenance. However, their warm and passionate personalities are worth making the extra effort in the grooming department.
The Standard Poodle is quite ingenious and is the most active among the three types, i.e. Toy breed, Miniature breed and Standard breeds.
Let’s jump into the details!
Three Varieties of Poodles
Poodles are categorized into Standard, Miniature and Toy types. All these Poodles have a typical physique with a long refined neck and an unbending back. They also have long elegant legs, not forgetting the cute elongated muzzle and dropped ears.
The Standard type:
Height: >38 cms
Weight: 20-32 kgs
The Miniature type:
Height: 25-28 cms
Weight: 5-9 kgs
The Toy type:
Height: < 25 cms
Weight: 2-3 kgs
Characteristics of the Poodle Breed
Stylish, graceful and noble are just a few descriptions of this impressive breed. Poodles often outshine other dogs in dog shows but behind their elegant hairdos and striking attitude lays a sweet family dog packed with a deep history and numerous talents.
- Poodles adapt suitably to any kind of home, as long as you offer them a lot of love and the opportunity to exercise.
- If it is your first time being a dog parent, don’t fret about the Poodle’s trainability. Poodles are not only easy to train but also extremely helpful. Any task you give them; they are more than willing to hop into it!
- This breed is sensitive and will undoubtedly pick up on your attitude. If you are moody, the Poodle will know. They can also become depressed if you give them the cold shoulder. However, this is no excuse to spoil your dog as it can easily take advantage of you- let it know you're the boss! The Poodle's sensitivity makes it a suitable guard dog- they will signal a warning with a stranger in the neighbourhood.
- The Poodle quickly gets bored when left alone in the house, and they can be quite destructive when not mentally or physically stimulated.
- Poodles should not be kept out in the cold for too long. The best time for them to be out mainly during winter is when playing, whereby they should be wearing a sweater, nose butter and paw wax. Temperatures below 35 degrees Celsius can be fatal to your Poodle.
- Poodles can withstand hot temperatures well, however just like humans, they can only handle so much heat, or they may suffer from heatstroke. Warning! When driving with your Poodle, don't neglect it inside your car, especially on a hot day.
Overall, Poodles have 5 stars for adaptability, 4 stars for sensitivity, 1 star for tolerating solitude, 3 stars for tolerating cold weather and 4 stars for tolerating hot weather.
Overall Friendliness
- Poodles can get extremely attached to their families, but not in a clingy way unless you spoil them. Separation from owners can cause separation anxiety; therefore, you must train your Poodle on how to deal with this issue.
- The Standard Poodle excels the most concerning child relation. However, this does not mean you cannot have a Miniature or Toy Poodle with kids in your home, but due to their minute size, it is necessary to teach the little one's effective handling and to play, so they don't injure the dog.
- The Poodle does well with other dog breeds, especially if they grow up together.
- While they relish family company, some Poodle may be withdrawn around strangers and socialization should be exercised.
Poodles therefore have 5 stars for being family friendly, 5 stars for being child-friendly, 4 stars for being dog friendly, and 4 stars for being stranger friendly.
Health and Grooming Demands
- It is a breath of fresh air to know that Poodles do not shed. At least your clothes and furniture will be spared of dog hair!
- If you are disgusted by dog saliva on your clothes, then this is a fantastic breed for you because the Poodle does not drool.
- Poodles are high-level maintenance dogs. They require grooming every 3-6 weeks or more frequently consisting of slight trimming done by an expert pet groomer. If you have the time, you can also learn to groom your Poodle yourself.
- Generally, Poodles are fit and healthy breeds. However, they may be prone to some health issues such as epilepsy, Addison's Disease, hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia, among other conditions.
- Overweight issues are highly familiar with Poodles. Though it is tempting to give your furry friend dog treats when it looks at you with those cute googly eyes, instead give it a warm hug or a cool brush down its fur or take it out for a walk. Your Poodle will love it and so will you!
- Veterinarians recommended the following nutritious dog foods that are not only filling but also healthy and wholesome to prevent having a fat pooch: Royal Canin breed poodle adult dry food, Wells Earthborn holistic natural dog food, Orijen 6 Fish grain-free formula, Eukanuba adult dry dog food and Hill’s Science Active longevity chicken meal.
Poodle therefore have an overall 2 out of 5 stars for health and grooming needs. 1 star for amount of shedding; 1 star for drooling potential; 1 star for grooming needs; 2 stars for general health and 4 stars for weight gain potential.
Trainability
- It is effortless to train a Poodle as they are people pleasers. While you must be patient and understanding during housebreaking and command training, you will find it easier than you anticipated.
- Poodles are very intelligent breeds they come second out of 138 breeds in obedience and working intelligence. Moreover, Poodles thrive in intuitive intelligence with convincing evidence of high adaptive intelligence.
- The Poodle has an above-average ability to chew, nip, play-bite or herd. However, its bite is often playful and non-aggressive.
- This exotic breed is too proud to chase a mere squirrel or cat down the street!
- Poodles are quite vocal and may not be the best if you prefer a silent breed. On the bright side, they are excellent watchdogs and tend to bark or howl to convey different messages such as protection, separation anxiety, alarm, boredom, fear, greetings, or seeking attention.
- Poodles have an average potential to escape to explore the wonderful world. It is safer to train them how to come back to you on command.
Therefore, when it comes to trainability, Poodles get a high score of 4 out of 5 stars. They get 5 stars for training ease; 5 stars for intelligence; 4 stars for mouthiness potential; 2 stars for prey lust; another 2 stars for tendency to bark or howl and 3 stars for wanderlust potential.
Physical Demands
- This breed has a high average energy level. If you are an active person, then this is your best choice!
- Poodles need an active life, so you should schedule daily walks or jogs. If not, you will have one bored and restless canine that will cause you sleepless nights.
- Moreover, the Poodle loves to play! Brace yourself for excitement barks and nipping as a sign of playtime!
Poodles get 4 out of 5 stars for their physical abilities. When it comes to their amount of energy they get 4 stars; another 4 stars for exercise needs and 5 stars for their playfulness potential.
Vital Stats About the Poodle
Fun Facts About the Poodle
Take a look at more interesting tit-bits about the Poodle breed!
- As exotic and luxurious as they may seem, the Poodle breed was initially bred as a water retriever. They would assist hunters by jumping in the water to retrieve waterfowl.
- Their name itself means water dog. In German, Poodle translates to 'pudel’ or ‘pudelin’ meaning to splash in water. In France Poodle translates to ‘caniche’ derived from the ‘chien canard’, which stands for duck dog.
- The dog's elaborate coat trimming isn't purely for beauty as it formerly served a practical goal: the trimmed regions laid the extra weight off the Poodle's coat to prevent underwater snagging by debris. Long fur around the joints and vital organ regions prevented the Pooch from freezing in underwater temperatures.
- The Standard Poodle is the most ancient of the three Poodle types, and some of them still perform their traditional function as water retrievers.
- The Poodle thrives in performance sports that comprise of agility, hunt examinations and obedience.
Tips:
- If you ignore your training and spoil your Poodle, it will likely conclude that it is an alpha of the family. This is commonly experienced with Toy and Miniature Poodles. Be consistent with your dog commands- let the canine know you are the leader.
- An occupied Poodle is less destructive. Obedience training goes a long way in keeping your Pooch's mind active, preventing boredom.
- Poodles have tearful eyes that can stain your house. To prevent eyesore stains, mildly wipe your Poodle's face with pet-friendly wet wipes or a soft cloth soaked in warm water.
History of the Poodle
The Poodle is an ancient breed initially bred for hunting fowl. Many researchers claim that the Poodle descended from Germany but was nurtured into its uniqueness in France. It is also estimated that the breed came about as a result of crosses between many European water dogs from Russia, Spain, Hungary, Portugal, Germany and France.
There are several theories regarding the Poodle's ancestry; however, it is a fact that Poodles are great swimmers. Evidence of canines resembling Poodles embellish Egyptian and Roman antiques and tombs dating back to the 1st century. The paintings and statues include Poodle-like dogs herding animals, retrieving games and game nets.
The Standard Poodle was the first of the three types, and shortly after in the 1400s, breeders began producing the Miniature and Toy Poodles respectively.
The French utilized these Standard Poodles for duck hunting, the Miniature Poodle to detect truffles in the woods while Toy Poodles were solely nobility companions. These wealthy merchants often paraded their Toy dogs in large sleeved shirts, which led to the nickname “sleeve dogs”.
Gypsies and other travellers quickly learned that Poodles were natural circus dogs. Therefore, they trained these canines to conduct tricks, dressing them in colourful fancy costumes to enhance their stage enchantment. Wealthy patrons noticed this trend and started imitating by decorating and dyeing their Poodles.
The England Kennel Club enrolled its pioneer Poodle in 1874, with the initial British Club for Poodle enthusiasts the following suit over the next couple of years. It is not known the exact time when Poodles got to the U.S., but the American Kennel Club acknowledged its first Poodle in 1886. In 1896, the Poodle Club of America was formed but later dissolved. Poodle fanciers reformed the association in 1931.
Poodles were a rare breed in the U.S. until after World War II- by the 1950s they had become one of the most popular breeds in the U.S.A., a position held for more than two decades
What is The Average Size of a Poodle?
If you are looking to purchase or adopt a Poodle, the good news is that it can easily adjust to both big and small houses and apartments, as long as you offer them plenty of exercise.
The personality of a Poodle
Poodles are a "breath of fresh air" as described by enthusiasts. Don't be deceived by their regal appearance; Poodles are the least of snobs. They have a goofy touch to their sophistication and love to play. They are always eager to please, coupled with their acclaimed intelligence and you've got a relaxed pooch.
A well trained Poodle has a calm temperament, especially if it burns off that layer of extra energy through frequent exercise.
Poodles are natural protectors of their families and take quite a while to adjust to a stranger. Their high IQ is astounding-owners are often left speechless by their incredible cleverness; however, this human-like intelligence makes them remember everything from the good to the bad, which makes Poodles quite challenging to live with.
Major Health Concerns of a Poodle Dog Breed
Poodles are healthy breeds; however, similar to humans; they're vulnerable to certain health constraints. Watch out for any of these diseases and their symptoms and consult your veterinarian immediately if you notice any unusual health status with your Poodle.
Von Willebrand's Disease
This is a genetic disorder whereby blood does not clot. The most apparent symptom is profuse bleeding after an injury or surgery. The other signs include gum bleeding, bleeding in the intestines and stomach and nose bleeding. There is no cure for this condition, and the only known treatment is a blood transfusion from a healthy dog. However, a study is underway for new medical interventions.
Sebaceous Adenitis (SA)
This condition gravely affects Poodles, especially the Standard types- approximately 50% of Standard Poodles are carriers or infected with this disease. This hereditary disease is often misdiagnosed, being confused with allergies, hypothyroidism among others.
SA causes the sebaceous glands to swell and eventually rupture. The symptoms start being noticeable when the Poodle is 1-5 years old, which include hair loss as the back, head and neck regions and dry, scaly skin. Severely infected Poodles can have tough skin coupled with chronic skin infections and emit lousy odour. If you suspect your Pooch of this condition, your vet will conduct a biopsy for diagnosis.
Optic Nerve Hypoplasia
This condition is a congenital weakness caused by malfunction of the optic nerve. It leads to blindness and abnormal pupil response of the afflicted eye.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
This condition consists of gradual retinal deterioration. In the early stages, the dog experiences night blindness, but as the disease advances, they become blind during the day.
Cushing's Disease (Hyperadrenocorticism)
This condition is caused by over-production of cortisol due to imbalance of the adrenal or pituitary gland. The typical symptom is overly urinating and drinking, and if your canine shows these, consult your vet. The treatment options are medication and surgery.
Gastric Dilation- Volvulus
Commonly referred to as bloat, it is a highly risky condition which deep-chested dogs such as Poodles are prone to.
It is caused by rapid eating, drinking large volumes of water immediately after a meal or strenuous exercise after eating. When your Poodle experiences bloating, it may be unable to vomit or belch to release the excess air in the tummy thus, the normal flow of blood to the heart is deterred, causing blood pressure to reduce and the Pooch falls into shock.
Without quick medical attention, your Poodle could die. Therefore, if you suspect this condition, you must rush your doggie to the veterinarian. The signs of bloating include swollen abdomen, excessive salivating, restlessness, depression, rapid heart rate and convulsing with throwing up.
Addison’s Disease (Hypoadrenocorticism)
This lethal condition is caused by inadequate production of adrenaline by the adrenal gland. The usual signs of Addison’s include lethargy, vomiting and poor appetite, which can be commonly mistaken for symptoms of other conditions because they are vague. This disease often goes undiagnosed until it advances to chronic levels.
More adverse symptoms occur when the canine is stressed or has high potassium levels, which interfere with heart function. This causes excessive shock and death. If you suspect your Poodle of Addison’s, you might want to take it to the vet to conduct a series of diagnostic tests.
Legg-Perthes Disease
This condition involving the hip joint affects toy breeds. When your Pug suffers from this condition, the blood supply to the upper part of the femur is limited, and the head of the femur begins to fragment. The initial signs of Legg-Perthes are limping and deteriorating of the leg muscle and occur to 4-6-month-old pups.
The condition is rectified with surgery to remove the broken femur. The scar tissue heals by creating a false joint, so the puppy doesn’t experience pain.
Hip Dysplasia
This condition that causes deformity of the hip joint can be aggravated by several factors such as diet, genetics, and the environment. With proper veterinary care, your pup can lead a happy and healthy life.
Patellar Luxation
This means dislocation of the kneecap often of the hind leg. Though it is crippling, many Pups still usually live.
Hypothyroidism
This is a low thyroid function characterized by depression, hair loss, skin infections, ear infections, lethargy and weight gain. With proper medication and a good diet, you can kick this condition to the curb.
Epilepsy
Idiopathic epilepsy occurs for no reason and can be very frightening to watch. If your pup has seizures, rush it to the vet immediately to determine its treatment.
It is important to note that there are other causes of seizures other than idiopathic epilepsy like metabolic conditions, poison ingestion, unnecessary head injuries, infectious diseases impacting the brain, tumours, among others. Thus if your Poodle experiences seizures, it is crucial to take it to your vet promptly for a checkup.
How to Take Care of the Poodle
Poodles adapt well to any kind of living space you offer them as long as they get plenty of exercises and human adornment. Miniature and Toy breeds love to stay indoors with family, and they have no problem getting their freak on inside the house.
Treat your Poodle as you would your child literally! Poodles have human intelligence, and it is quite easy to teach them bad habits if you are not cautious unintentionally.
If you are a new dog parent, it is recommended enrolling for obedience class with an experienced dog trainer to end up with a well-behaved pooch.
Ideal Diet for the Poodle Breed
Giving your Poodle a well-balanced meal us most essential in securing your canine’s health both now and in the future. Even before taking your Poodle home, it is critical to go through its feeding needs with the breeder for instance which brand of food to give it. A drastic change in food can lead to tummy and digestive issues.
How Regularly Should You Feed your Poodle?
Less than 3 months: Very tender pups do well when free fed; however, ensure the food is always fresh. Don’t just add fresh food on top of old food but clear and wash its dish before a new feed.
Puppy: At the onset of 3 months, the Poodle should be able to eat 3 meals every day plus treats but don’t overdo the snacks!
Adult: Just because your Poodle is mature and less hyper than at its puppy stage doesn’t mean you suddenly reduce its feeding to one meal a day. Miniature and Toy Poodles do well with 2-3 meals everyday while Standard Poodles have a higher tolerance to one dinner time, however it wouldn’t hurt to divide their meals into 2 servings.
Best Dog Food for The Poodle
The following is a list of recommended dog food for your Poodle. They are suitable for all types of Poodles whether the Standard, Miniature or Toy.
- EUKANUBA Adult Dry Dog Food
- ROYAL CANIN Breed Poodle Adult Dry Dog Food
- Wells Earthborn Holistic Natural Dog Food
- Hill’s Science Active Longevity Chicken Meal
- Orijen 6 Fish Grain-Free Formula
Remember the Poodle is highly prone to weight gain, therefore regulate its treats and exercise it every day. Moreover, resist the urge to give it food leftovers even if it looks at you with cute pleading eyes. You don’t want to create a fussy eater. Dog food is healthier than the Poodle.
Coat Color and Grooming Needs
The Poodle is a perfect breed for individuals with fur allergies because they do not shed. This is perfect news even for those who don’t like fur all over the house.
You will be spoilt for choice just selecting a Poodle with all the coat colours available from white, brown, blue, gray, apricot, silver, cream, black to café-au-lait.
The coat is curly, wavy, thick and very fancy, which can be groomed by shaving, trimming, clipping or any other technique according to your liking. However, if you enrol your Poodle for show ring competitions, you don't want to go overboard with the styling because the American Kennel Club only allows four particular clip designs.
Poodle grooming isn't for the faint-hearted because these pooches are high-maintenance. They require consistent grooming every 3-6 weeks or even more regularly to maintain the coat's charming demeanour. Don't worry, though. There are numerous manners of styling your Poodle's coat for more effective care, and many dog parents prefer to shave it off.
However, even when trimmed, your Poodle still needs bathing and brushing often to keep their fur clean and tangle-free.
Tools Used to Groom the Poodle
You can opt for a professional dog groomer, but if you're devoted and have the time, you can learn to groom your Pooch on your own. A good grooming set consists of:
- A comb
- Trimmer
- A set of electric blades
- Nail clippers
- A brush
- A quality pair of scissors
Many Poodles have teary eyes that run down their face- it is more noticeable if the coat colour is bright. To prevent such tearstains, wipe its face regularly with a washcloth moistened with warm water or alcohol-free wipes especially for pets.
Similar to humans, Poodles need their teeth brushed regularly (every day if applicable) to prevent a buildup of tartar and bacteria that cause bad breath and gum disease.
Trim your Poodle’s nails at least once or twice every month- if you can hear their claws clicking on the floor as they troll it is time to exercise that claw trimmer. Short-trimmed nails make your dog neat, tidy and protect you from scratches when your enthusiastic friend decides to get playful.
Conduct weekly checks and wipe your Pooch’s ears with cotton wool soaked in a cleanser. Do not shove cotton balls into the ear canal as this might damage the ears. Look out for possible symptoms of ear infection such as bad smell emitting from the ear, redness and tenderness, ear scratching or consistent shaking of the head.
Furthermore, as you groom your Poodle check for other signs of infection such as sores, rashes and skin, nose, eyes, mouth and feet inflammation, the eyes should be crystal clear with no discharge or redness. This weekly examination will aid in identifying any possible health condition early.
Once you adopt your Poodle pup, make it accustomed to regular brushing and examination. Make the exercise fun for both you and your furry friend by offering praises and rewards. Weekly inspections also simplify your veterinarian's medical and other handling exercises when the dog is mature.
How do Poodles Relate with Children and Other Pets?
When looking to add a new pooch to the family, the common question people ask themselves is if they are child friendly and if they get along with other pets. Poodles are companion dogs and love to be around people and other animals too.
Poodles are kid-lovers! However, closely monitor how young children play with the small Toy Poodle as they are very fragile and can quickly get hurt. It is essential to train your children how to touch and carry a Poodle and always supervise their interactions to protect against biting, ear or tail pulling. Children should not disturb the dog while its eating or napping or try to snatch their food away.
If the Poodle is accustomed to being number one in the house, it may take a while to share its pool with a newcomer, but with time and specialised training, it learns to interact with other pet(s). Group training classes and dog social interactions in the park will offer your Poodle opportunities to make new friends and learn to enjoy the company of other pets.
Australian Based Breed Organizations for the Poodle
The following is a list of the most dependable Poodle Breed Organizations in Australia you can look into if you would like to purchase a purebred Poodle pup.
- Poodle Club of QLD Inc.
- Poodle Club of New South Wales Inc.
- Poodle Breeders Australia
- The Toy Poodle Society of NSW
- Miniature Poodle Breeders Australia
Rescue Groups for the Poodle in Australia
Despite their delightful nature, Poodles are often abandoned by owners who purchase them without proper knowledge of how to maintain them.
Check out some of the most acknowledged rescue groups listed below, to adopt a favourite Poodle breed. If you don't see one listed near your neighbourhood contact a local breed association and they will refer you to a Poodle rescue group.
Conclusion
Now that you are fully equipped with everything, you need to know about this Poodle breed, make the suitable choice now! You will never regret having this amiable alluring creature on your watch!
Poodle Photo Gallery
