When you think of a Poodle do you see the cute circus dog performing with the clowns or maybe the elegant canine strutting around the show ring? This ancient and noble breed has wormed its way into our hearts and homes showing off its amazing smarts and loyalty.
History of the Poodle
The Poodle is one of the oldest purebred dog breeds in the world. There is a bit of controversy surrounding the Poodle’s exact origins. Some claim its ancestors came from central Asia, while others say the Poodle is a German breed, but in the end, it is France that gets the credit for these amazingly intelligent and loyal dogs. One theory that has a lot of substance is that the Poodle’s ancestors were Asian herding dogs that migrated into Germany and then down into France.
The popularity of the breed skyrocketed during the 18th and 19th centuries when they were bred as water dogs or gun dogs to retrieve fowl from the water for hunters. During the 19th century, Poodles began their circus career due to their intelligence and willingness to learn new things. French nobility were given their first glimpse of the Poodle during these circus acts. French royals and nobles became enamored with the Poodle, making it the official national dog of France. The Poodle made its way to the United States with French immigrants during the 20th century. However, the popularity of the Poodle did not explode until after World War I.
During the 19th century, some Poodle breeders began the process of “shrinking” the breed to create a smaller version. Thus the Miniature Poodle was created. The Toy Poodle was created to be a lap dog but since they were bred down from the larger Poodles, do still have the working nature of their larger cousins.
Three Basic Types of Poodle
According to the American Kennel Club and the United Kennel Club, the Poodle comes in three varieties: Standard, Miniature, and Toy. You may occasionally hear a Poodle referred to as a Teacup, which is a small Toy Poodle, or as a Klein or Moyen Poodle, which is either a larger Miniature or a smaller Standard. Each variety has the same look, just in a different-sized package.
- Standard Poodle is considered a medium-sized dog with a regal appearance. They must be over 15 inches tall at the withers at adulthood and males should weigh between 60 and 70 pounds, and females should weigh between 40 and 50 pounds. They easily learn tricks to keep their owners entertained and are very loyal to their families. Training a Standard Poodle is very easy and also necessary for a well-adjusted family member.
- Miniature Poodle is considered a small to medium-sized dog with the same regal appearance as its larger cousin. They are 10 to 15 inches tall at the withers at adulthood and should weigh between 10 and 15 pounds, both males and females. Training is a must or your Miniature Poodle will run the household. They do require a lot of one-on-one interaction and training to ensure they are social and well-adjusted.
- Toy Poodle is the smallest of the recognized AKC recognized Poodles. The Toy Poodle is less than ten inches tall at the withers at adulthood and should weigh between four and six pounds. Despite their size, the Toy Poodle does require training so they are a well-adjusted member of the family and have a job to perform. While the Toy Poodle is thought of as just a lap dog, they were bred down from the Standard Poodle and do need a job to perform each day to keep them happy.
Poodle Personality
Poodles of all sizes are true comedians, they love playing tricks on their fellow canines and their humans. They pick up new games quickly and are an extremely intelligent breed. Owners of Poodles know that their canines need a specific amount of exercise and attention each day for them to be well-adjusted family members.
Poodles do not do well in a kennel situation or are stuck in the backyard all day. They crave attention and need to be with their people. Socialization is extremely important for all sizes of Poodles but more so for the smaller sizes as they can become aggressive and unmanageable without proper socialization and training. Doodles or Poodle mixes can also have behavioral problems depending on the breed they are mixed with and the amount of training and socialization the pup has had.
Lifespan of a Poodle
The general rule of thumb when thinking about the average lifespan of a Poodle is 12 to 14 years for a Standard and 15 to 18 years for a Miniature and Toy. However, your dog’s lifespan will be determined by the type of care, nutrition, exercise, and genetics behind them.
Poodles that are allowed to become couch potatoes and not get enough exercise may not live as long as active Poodles. Also, Poodles that have genetic problems or are poorly bred may not have as long of a life. You will want to keep your poodle at their optimal weight and feed them a premium diet to ensure they do not develop serious health issues from an unhealthy diet or lack of exercise.
Basic Care for Poodles
Essentially, Poodles are easy keepers and do not require a lot of upkeep. They are a non-shedding breed which means their hair does not float through the air and get on everything from clothing to furniture. Their dander is also low making them a good choice for people with allergies.
They do require regular grooming and clipping. You will want to brush your Poodle at least once a week and bathe them at least once every four to six weeks. Be sure to read about the best shampoos for your Poodle before heading to the store. You will want to have them clipped every three to six weeks.
If you choose to keep them in the Continental (frou-frou) cut, there is a lot more maintenance. The basic puppy cut is one of the easiest Poodle cuts to maintain and keeps you from having to run to the groomer every few weeks.
Exercise Needs for Poodles
The amount of exercise your Poodle will require is based on their size, age, and health concerns. Puppies require a lot of exercise but you need to be careful that they do not overdo it and strain themselves. Puppies are still developing their bones and muscles and can quickly overtax their bodies and become injured. Be mindful of your Poodle puppy’s limits and do not push them too hard.
Strenuous walks or dog games can cause harm to a puppy’s joints, muscles, and bones. Healthy adult Poodles will require the most activity to keep them healthy and happy. Plan exciting training sessions, hike along the beach, or organize a Poodle play date to get your Poodle off the couch and moving. Senior Poodles do require the least amount of exercise, but they do still need to get up and move, even if it is for short periods.
Play modified games with your senior Poodle or take a short walk down to make sure they are getting the exercise they need to stay healthy. Exercise for Poodles comes in many different forms, from taking long walks to doing zoomies in the backyard to performing tasks. Most Poodles enjoy the water, so set up a swimming pool for them and teach them to swim then hit the beach or lake for a day of swimming, relaxing, and pure fun.
Health Concerns for Poodles
Overall, Poodles are a generally healthy breed. Some health issues are more prevalent in the breed and should be watched for; your veterinarian should be aware of these conditions and know to check at each appointment for any possible signs of development. Some of these conditions or diseases can be tested for to ensure your Poodle is free from these genetic disorders.
Conditions and diseases to watch for include:
- Hip Dysplasia
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
- von Willebrand Disease
- Bloat
- Thyroid and Adrenal Gland disorders
- Autoimmune disorders
- Orthopedic disorders
Training Your Poodle
Poodles are truly one of the smartest dog breeds in the world and they need daily social interactions and stimulation for them to be happy and well-adjusted. A Poodle’s training should begin as a small puppy with a reward-based system. Poodles work best when they are praised for their good deeds and given rewards such as a treat or a toy.
Be sure to spend about 10 minutes each day working with your Poodle puppy on their new skills. As your Poodle grows, you may decide to take them to formal training class but remember to keep practicing their new skills at home. Once your Poodle has their basic manners, or obedience, mastered, then you can start teaching them cute tricks to impress friends and family. Make sure you keep training sessions short and upbeat. Always end your training sessions on a positive note and be sure to give lots of praise.
The Poodle is considered hypoallergenic and makes fantastic pets for those suffering from allergies. The Standard and even Miniature Poodle make fantastic companions for children, provided the children know how to respect animals. Essentially, a Poodle is easy to housetrain, and obedience train, and is relatively a healthy breed. Do your research when searching for a Poodle to add to your family and find the right one for you. Talk with other Poodle owners and reputable breeders and determine if a Poodle is the right dog for you and your family.
