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All About Poodles
About Poodles Main, Poodle History ,Health & Genetics
Poodle Sizes
The Poodle is the national dog of France.
The Standard Poodle is the oldest of the three varieties.
The words Standard, Miniature, and Toy are used to denote size only. All of these are one breed.
Poodles are known for their work retrieving capabilities in the water.
So you want to own a Poodle?
The Poodle's coat lends itself to a variety of hair styles. Most of which derive from their duties as a retriever where shorn to protect their joints in cold water.
The Poodle is very active, intelligent, and elegant.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Poodles are among the most intelligent dogs you can own.
Originally from Germany, Poodles were used as hunting dogs for bears (believe it or not!) because of their sharp minds quick responses, and their fearlessness in the face of overwhelming odds. These same traits also make poodles great home protectors in this day & age..
CHARACTERISTICS
Poodles do not shed and are hypoallergenic. People who have allergies to dogs and cats can usually own a poodle without difficulty. Because poodles have no body dander, fur, or odor, they are perfect gentlemen and ladies in your home. Poodles are mild mannered yet protective and make great family watchdogs. They are also wonderful with children. (Our puppies are raised from birth with daily contact with our two children, Olivia (15) and Jacob (13) who help feed, train and care for our babies.)
SIZES
Poodles come in three recognized sizes: Standard, Miniature, and Toy. No other breeds were used to obtain these specific sizes. they come in a variety of colors: Cream, White, Black, Brown, Silver, Blue, Apricot, Red and Silver Beige - as well as our favorites, the occasional Partie's ( a mix of two colors ) and Phantoms.
The Standard Poodle, the Largest of the three must be over 15 inches at the highest point of the shoulders.
Miniature Poodles are mid-sized and must be under 15 inches at the highest point of the shoulders with a minimum height in excess of 10 inches.
Toy Poodles are the smallest and must be 10 inches or under at the highest point of the shoulders. Smaller than the Toy Poodle are the Tiny Toy and Teacup Poodles which are not separately classified by AKC as of yet. An adult Toy Poodle's normal weight range is between 6 and 8 pounds. The Tiny Toy adult will weigh between 4 and 6 pounds while the Teacup Poodle will top the scales at between 2 & 4 pounds with three pounds being the average.
About Poodles Main, Poodle History ,Health & Genetics
Poodle Sizes
The Poodle is the national dog of France.
The Standard Poodle is the oldest of the three varieties.
The words Standard, Miniature, and Toy are used to denote size only. All of these are one breed.
Poodles are known for their work retrieving capabilities in the water.
So you want to own a Poodle?
The Poodle's coat lends itself to a variety of hair styles. Most of which derive from their duties as a retriever where shorn to protect their joints in cold water.
The Poodle is very active, intelligent, and elegant.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Poodles are among the most intelligent dogs you can own.
Originally from Germany, Poodles were used as hunting dogs for bears (believe it or not!) because of their sharp minds quick responses, and their fearlessness in the face of overwhelming odds. These same traits also make poodles great home protectors in this day & age..
CHARACTERISTICS
Poodles do not shed and are hypoallergenic. People who have allergies to dogs and cats can usually own a poodle without difficulty. Because poodles have no body dander, fur, or odor, they are perfect gentlemen and ladies in your home. Poodles are mild mannered yet protective and make great family watchdogs. They are also wonderful with children. (Our puppies are raised from birth with daily contact with our two children, Olivia (15) and Jacob (13) who help feed, train and care for our babies.)
SIZES
Poodles come in three recognized sizes: Standard, Miniature, and Toy. No other breeds were used to obtain these specific sizes. they come in a variety of colors: Cream, White, Black, Brown, Silver, Blue, Apricot, Red and Silver Beige - as well as our favorites, the occasional Partie's ( a mix of two colors ) and Phantoms.
The Standard Poodle, the Largest of the three must be over 15 inches at the highest point of the shoulders.
Miniature Poodles are mid-sized and must be under 15 inches at the highest point of the shoulders with a minimum height in excess of 10 inches.
Toy Poodles are the smallest and must be 10 inches or under at the highest point of the shoulders. Smaller than the Toy Poodle are the Tiny Toy and Teacup Poodles which are not separately classified by AKC as of yet. An adult Toy Poodle's normal weight range is between 6 and 8 pounds. The Tiny Toy adult will weigh between 4 and 6 pounds while the Teacup Poodle will top the scales at between 2 & 4 pounds with three pounds being the average.
Toy Poodle
Description
When groomed to show dog standards the body is meant to give off a square appearance. It has approximately the same length as the height at the withers. The skull is moderately rounded with a slight but definite stop. It has a long, straight muzzle. The dark, oval shaped eyes are set somewhat far apart and are black or brown. The ears hang close to the head and are long and flat. Both the front and back legs are in proportion with the size of the dog. The topline is level. The tail is set and carried high. It is sometimes docked to half it's length or less to make the dog look more balanced. Dewclaws may be removed. The oval shaped feet are rather small and the toes are arched. The coat is either curly or corded. It comes in all solid colors including black, blue, silver, gray, cream, apricot, red, white, brown, or cafe-au-lait. While it does not make the written show standard, some breeders are breeding parti-colored poodles. See grooming for different types of poodle clips.
Temperament
The Toy Poodle is remarkably intelligent. Highly responsive, they are said to be one of the most trainable breeds. Sweet, cheerful, perky and lively, they like to be with people. Delightful, very amusing and keen. Socialize them well. They make a very good watchdog for their size. Without the proper type and amount of exercise they may be high-strung and timid. If the human is not 100% pack leader, they may snap if they are teased or surprised. Toy Poodles are generally good with other pets and dogs. Unless given rules to follow and limits as to what the are, and are not allowed to do, this breed will tend to bark a lot. Do not let this small dog developed Small Dog Syndrome, human induced behaviors where the dog believes he is pack leader to humans. This causes varying degrees of behavior issues, including, but not limited to snapping, growling, guarding, demanding, untrustworthy with children and sometimes adults, sensitive, nervous, reserved with strangers and obsessive barking, as the dog tries to tell the humans what it is HE wants THEM to do. This little dog can be good with children, however is usually recommended for older children, who know how to display leadership skills. The reason, most humans treat the dog in such a way that makes them unsure just who the pack leader is in the human dog relationship. The dog, in his own mind, is convinced HE is the leader to humans. These are NOT Toy Poodle traits, but rather traits brought on by meek owners. Make sure you are your dogs firm, consistent, confident pack leader, providing daily mental and physical exercise in order to have a trustworthy, mentally stable dog.
Height, Weight
Height: up to 10 inches (25.4 cm.)
Weight: 6-9 pounds (3-4 kg.)
The sizes of the official AKC recognized Poodle breeds are determined by height, not by the weight. The Toy Poodle is 10 inches or under at the highest point of the shoulders. Any Poodle which is more than 10 inches at the highest point of the shoulders cannot compete in the AKC show ring as a Toy Poodle.
Health Problems
A long-lived breed, Poodles are, nevertheless, subject to many genetic diseases. Some are prone to IMHA (Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia), slipped stifle, diabetes, epilepsy, heart disorders, PRA, runny eyes, ear infections and digestive tract problems. Eye problems such as cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy which can cause blindness. Skin conditions, possibly due to unskilled use of clippers. Brown Poodles tend to become prematurely gray. Allergies are common, sometimes to shampoo and/or color reinforcer.
Living Conditions
Toy Poodles are good for city life as well as country living. Given enough exercise, they are not active in doors. They will lay right next to you and are more sedate when indoor although they love to play outdoors and are a highly intelligent breed, so they do like lots of thoughtful activities to stimulate their mentality. They will do okay without a yard.
Exercise
These are active little dogs, who need a daily walk. Play will take care of a lot of their exercise needs, however, as with all breeds, play will not fulfill their primal instinct to walk. Dogs who do not get to go on daily walks are more likely to display behavior problems. They will also enjoy a good romp in a safe open area off lead, such as a large fenced in yard.
Life Expectancy
12-15 or more years.
Grooming
Extensive grooming is needed if the dog is to be shown. Poodles must be bathed regularly and clipped every six to eight weeks. Clean and check the ears frequently for wax or mites or infection and pull out hairs growing inside the ear canal. The teeth need regular scaling. Since the coat does not shed it needs to be clipped. There are several different types of poodle clips. The most common for pet owners is an easy care clip called a "pet clip", "puppy clip" or "lamb clip" where the coat is cut short all over the body. Popular show clips are the English saddle and the Continental clip where the rear half of the body is shaved, bracelets are left around the ankles, and pom-poms are left on the tails and hips. The AKC standard allows for a dog under a year old to be shown in a show style puppy clip which has special requirements such as a pom-pom on the end of the tail. Other clip styles are the modified continental clip, town and country clip, kennel or utility clip, summer clip, and the Miami of bikini clip. Poodles shed little to no hair and are good for allergy sufferers.
Origin
The Poodle has been known throughout Western Europe for at least 400 years and are depicted in 15th century paintings and in bas-reliefs from the 1st century. The subject is controversial of where the dog was officially developed and no one really knows the breeds true country of origin. France has taken a claim on the origin, but the AKC gives the honor to the Germans where they say it was used as a water retrieval dog. Other claims have been Denmark, or the ancient Piedmont. What is certain is that the dog was a descendant of the now extinct French Water Dog, the Barbet and possibly the Hungarian Water Hound. The name "Poodle" most likely came out of the German word "Pudel," which means "one who plays in water". The "Poodle clip" was designed by hunters to help the dogs swim more efficiently. They would leave hair on the leg joints to protect them from extreme cold and sharp reeds. The hunters in Germany and France used the Poodle as a gun dog and as a retriever of waterfowl and to sniff out truffles laying underground in the woods. The French started using the breed as a circus performer because of the dog's high intelligence and trainability. The breed became very popular in France, which led to the common name "French Poodle", but the French people actually called the breed the "Caniche," meaning "duck dog. The Toy and Miniature Poodle varieties were bred down from larger dogs, today known as Standard Poodles. In the 18th century smaller poodles became popular with royal people. The three official sizes are the Toy, Miniature and Standard Poodle. They are considered one breed and are judged by the same written standard but with different size requirements. Breeders are also breeding an in-between size called a Klein Poodle (Moyen Poodle) and a smaller Tea-Cup Poodle. Some of the Poodle's talents include: retrieving, agility, watchdog, competitive obedience, and performing tricks.
Description
When groomed to show dog standards the body is meant to give off a square appearance. It has approximately the same length as the height at the withers. The skull is moderately rounded with a slight but definite stop. It has a long, straight muzzle. The dark, oval shaped eyes are set somewhat far apart and are black or brown. The ears hang close to the head and are long and flat. Both the front and back legs are in proportion with the size of the dog. The topline is level. The tail is set and carried high. It is sometimes docked to half it's length or less to make the dog look more balanced. Dewclaws may be removed. The oval shaped feet are rather small and the toes are arched. The coat is either curly or corded. It comes in all solid colors including black, blue, silver, gray, cream, apricot, red, white, brown, or cafe-au-lait. While it does not make the written show standard, some breeders are breeding parti-colored poodles. See grooming for different types of poodle clips.
Temperament
The Toy Poodle is remarkably intelligent. Highly responsive, they are said to be one of the most trainable breeds. Sweet, cheerful, perky and lively, they like to be with people. Delightful, very amusing and keen. Socialize them well. They make a very good watchdog for their size. Without the proper type and amount of exercise they may be high-strung and timid. If the human is not 100% pack leader, they may snap if they are teased or surprised. Toy Poodles are generally good with other pets and dogs. Unless given rules to follow and limits as to what the are, and are not allowed to do, this breed will tend to bark a lot. Do not let this small dog developed Small Dog Syndrome, human induced behaviors where the dog believes he is pack leader to humans. This causes varying degrees of behavior issues, including, but not limited to snapping, growling, guarding, demanding, untrustworthy with children and sometimes adults, sensitive, nervous, reserved with strangers and obsessive barking, as the dog tries to tell the humans what it is HE wants THEM to do. This little dog can be good with children, however is usually recommended for older children, who know how to display leadership skills. The reason, most humans treat the dog in such a way that makes them unsure just who the pack leader is in the human dog relationship. The dog, in his own mind, is convinced HE is the leader to humans. These are NOT Toy Poodle traits, but rather traits brought on by meek owners. Make sure you are your dogs firm, consistent, confident pack leader, providing daily mental and physical exercise in order to have a trustworthy, mentally stable dog.
Height, Weight
Height: up to 10 inches (25.4 cm.)
Weight: 6-9 pounds (3-4 kg.)
The sizes of the official AKC recognized Poodle breeds are determined by height, not by the weight. The Toy Poodle is 10 inches or under at the highest point of the shoulders. Any Poodle which is more than 10 inches at the highest point of the shoulders cannot compete in the AKC show ring as a Toy Poodle.
Health Problems
A long-lived breed, Poodles are, nevertheless, subject to many genetic diseases. Some are prone to IMHA (Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia), slipped stifle, diabetes, epilepsy, heart disorders, PRA, runny eyes, ear infections and digestive tract problems. Eye problems such as cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy which can cause blindness. Skin conditions, possibly due to unskilled use of clippers. Brown Poodles tend to become prematurely gray. Allergies are common, sometimes to shampoo and/or color reinforcer.
Living Conditions
Toy Poodles are good for city life as well as country living. Given enough exercise, they are not active in doors. They will lay right next to you and are more sedate when indoor although they love to play outdoors and are a highly intelligent breed, so they do like lots of thoughtful activities to stimulate their mentality. They will do okay without a yard.
Exercise
These are active little dogs, who need a daily walk. Play will take care of a lot of their exercise needs, however, as with all breeds, play will not fulfill their primal instinct to walk. Dogs who do not get to go on daily walks are more likely to display behavior problems. They will also enjoy a good romp in a safe open area off lead, such as a large fenced in yard.
Life Expectancy
12-15 or more years.
Grooming
Extensive grooming is needed if the dog is to be shown. Poodles must be bathed regularly and clipped every six to eight weeks. Clean and check the ears frequently for wax or mites or infection and pull out hairs growing inside the ear canal. The teeth need regular scaling. Since the coat does not shed it needs to be clipped. There are several different types of poodle clips. The most common for pet owners is an easy care clip called a "pet clip", "puppy clip" or "lamb clip" where the coat is cut short all over the body. Popular show clips are the English saddle and the Continental clip where the rear half of the body is shaved, bracelets are left around the ankles, and pom-poms are left on the tails and hips. The AKC standard allows for a dog under a year old to be shown in a show style puppy clip which has special requirements such as a pom-pom on the end of the tail. Other clip styles are the modified continental clip, town and country clip, kennel or utility clip, summer clip, and the Miami of bikini clip. Poodles shed little to no hair and are good for allergy sufferers.
Origin
The Poodle has been known throughout Western Europe for at least 400 years and are depicted in 15th century paintings and in bas-reliefs from the 1st century. The subject is controversial of where the dog was officially developed and no one really knows the breeds true country of origin. France has taken a claim on the origin, but the AKC gives the honor to the Germans where they say it was used as a water retrieval dog. Other claims have been Denmark, or the ancient Piedmont. What is certain is that the dog was a descendant of the now extinct French Water Dog, the Barbet and possibly the Hungarian Water Hound. The name "Poodle" most likely came out of the German word "Pudel," which means "one who plays in water". The "Poodle clip" was designed by hunters to help the dogs swim more efficiently. They would leave hair on the leg joints to protect them from extreme cold and sharp reeds. The hunters in Germany and France used the Poodle as a gun dog and as a retriever of waterfowl and to sniff out truffles laying underground in the woods. The French started using the breed as a circus performer because of the dog's high intelligence and trainability. The breed became very popular in France, which led to the common name "French Poodle", but the French people actually called the breed the "Caniche," meaning "duck dog. The Toy and Miniature Poodle varieties were bred down from larger dogs, today known as Standard Poodles. In the 18th century smaller poodles became popular with royal people. The three official sizes are the Toy, Miniature and Standard Poodle. They are considered one breed and are judged by the same written standard but with different size requirements. Breeders are also breeding an in-between size called a Klein Poodle (Moyen Poodle) and a smaller Tea-Cup Poodle. Some of the Poodle's talents include: retrieving, agility, watchdog, competitive obedience, and performing tricks.