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Introduction
Poodles are often portrayed as the “rich man’s dog”, and with their dainty walk and their meticulous grooming, as well as their popularity with royalty, it’s no wonder that this stereotype has been perpetuated for several centuries.
There are three varieties of Poodle, and their looks differ only in size. The Standard Poodle is the largest and oldest type. The medium-sized Miniature Poodle and small Toy Poodle soon followed the Standard Poodle in development. Both were probably known by the middle of the 18th century and may have been used in performances and as entertainers.
Originally hailing from France, the Poodle is still considered a trophy dog of sorts, but is also nonetheless a great, friendly pet, unaware of its status among the rich and famous. Poodles are wonderful companions, and although they require a large amount of grooming, they can still be a “practical” dog for the average family.
Poodles are also considered valuable hunting dogs in addition to the prized companionship.
The Poodle is a breed recognized by the American Kennel Club and the Federation Cynologique International.
How do you know if a Poodle is the right dog for you? Take a look at its traits and decide if YOU’RE the right owner for a Poodle.
The Beauty of Poodles
The Standard Poodle is an elegant, medium to large-sized dog with a long head and muzzle. They have wide ears that hang close to the head and dark, round eyes. Depending on their coloring, they may have amber-colored eyes or dark, clack eyes.
Miniature and Toy Poodles are shorter and smaller but exhibit the same physical characteristics of their larger counterparts.
Poodles typically come in two shades of brown; brown and a creamier, coffee colored brown. They also usually come in shades of cream and gray, as well as other colors. These colors are the most common and most prized. Brown Poodles tend to become prematurely gray.
Poodles are groomed for health reasons as well as aesthetic reasons; they come in three types of grooming – a short, tight clipping referred to as the “pet clip”, be, the "English saddle clip," which is thicker in the middle, and the "Continental clip," the dainty clip that leaves cuffs around the feet and “puffs” around the body and head.
The Character of Poodles
The Poodle carries itself in a proud manner, and is considered dignified. Although the adornments of Poodle haircuts are often distracting, it is important to know that the dog breed itself is a very friendly, intelligent breed by nature. Standard Poodles are calmer than their miniature counterparts. Smaller Poodles are slightly more skittish and tend to have more energy. All variations of Poodles enjoy the company and attention of their owners.
The Poodle’s Ideal Environment
Poodles don’t need a lot of room to frolic and are able to adapt well to an apartment setting or a small home with a yard. Poodles adore water and enjoy going for a casual swim; but if you don’t take them swimming, they’ll still be happy and satisfied. They do enjoy walks but they are also satisfied with shorter walks and won’t use their excess energy in a destructive fashion. Of course, a well-exercised Poodle is a happy Poodle, so you should take them out to play and frolic when you have the chance.
Poodles have a good amount of stamina, and although they are not fast runners, they should work well for athletic types that go for long walks or the occasional jog. Poodles can provide a good service as guard dogs and have often been trained as hunting dogs because of their sporting instincts.
The Poodle’s Companions
Poodles are a breed that need the companionship of their owners to be happy, and they tend to be depressed or sulk when left home alone for long periods of time. They get along well with children, strangers, and other dogs as long as they are socialized to them early in life.
Poodles have a laid-back demeanor when interacting with their owners. They may jump into your lap when they crave attention, but they don’t bark often. They need their owners to pay attention to their mood changes to be happy.
Allergy sufferers take note: Poodles shed very little hair and are ideal pets for those with mild allergies to animal dander.
Grooming the Poodle
Poodles require a serious amount of grooming for health, not beauty reasons. Poodles should be bathed on a regular basis and clipped (in a style of your choice) every six to eight weeks! Clipping helps lighten the weight of their hair (which can get quite heavy) and also protect their joints and body from the cold. There is no specific, modern-day need for various clipping types; choose whatever you think fits your dog’s personality best. A standard shearing should work just fine for the Poodle, but if your Poodle has skin allergies, you will want to consult with your vet before you begin regular grooming.
The Poodle’s Health
Poodles are prone to fall victim to a variety of genetic problems. Cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy may cause blindness, allergies and skin conditions. Ear infections are common with poodles; their ears should be checked regularly for mites. Ear hair, as a preventative measure, should be pulled out during grooming. Poodles also are likely to inherit PRA and Von Willebrand's Disease.
Be careful and watchful with your feedings; Poodles have a tendency to overeat and bloat. They should be kept to two to three small meals and one treat per day.
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