Poodle Profile

Other Names: Barbone, Caniche (from chien canard, meaning "duck dog"), Pudle

Country of origin: France

Dog Group Kennel Club: Utility

General appearance:

Poodles are very recognisable breeds of dog, mainly due to their coat which is curly, dense and non shedding making these dogs good for those with allergies. In addition to their coat, Poodles are also well balanced dogs with a proud carriage.  They are proportionally long legged and come in three different sizes: standard, miniature and toy.The Poodle has a dense, harsh coat that is either curly or corded. It is possible to have a Parti patterned coat. However, that type of coat is not accepted in the show ring. The Poodle standard asks for a moderately rounded skull with a slight but definite stop. The cheeks are flat and the muzzle is long and fine with slight chiseling under the eyes.

Colours:

All solid colours. 

Size:  

Standard Poodles measure over 38cms to the wither

Miniature Poodles should be under 38cms to wither but over 28cms

Toy Poodles should be under 28cms to the wither

Weight Standard:

                  
Weight Minature:

Weight Toy:

Temperament:

Poodles are intelligent dogs who like people and are eager to please.  They are also active and enjoy exercise and usually have an even temperament. Getting along with the kids, the cat and the guinea pig is no problem for the poodle. Lively and affectionate, they make wonderful companion dogs. They can be good guard dogs, announcing visitors but never being aggressive. Poodles are unusually sensitive to vocal intonation, probably one of the reasons they are so easy to train. Miniatures and the toy adapt to life in more confined quarters as long as they get adequate exercise. They thrive on human companionship and are extremely sensitive to their familys moods and emotions. The Poodle may become overly attached to one particular family member and suffer from separation anxiety. The Standard and Miniature varieties are typically more amiable than the Toy variety, which has a tendency to be neurotic. The Standard does well in a home with children and other household pets. The Miniature and Toy varieties are best suited for homes with older, considerate children.

Movement:

Light and free.

Care and training:

The Poodle requires extensive grooming. Professional clipping must be done every six to eight weeks. The coat may be groomed in three different styles: the Pet Clip, English Saddle, and Continental. Bathing should only be done when necessary using a mild shampoo. Daily brushing is highly recommended to prevent mats and tangles.

The Poodle is an extremely intelligent and eager to please dog, thus he is inordinately easy to train. As a result, the Poodle has a history of performance, appearing in circus and street acts for hundreds of years. Poodles are unusually sensitive to vocal intonation, probably one of the reasons they are so easy to train.The Poodle does best with fairness, firmness, respect, patience, and consistency. They excel at learning tricks, including agility, retrieving, and competitive obedience.

Overall Exercise: Theb different poodles need different amouts of exercise.

Minature an Toy: 40 - 60 minutes per day.
This is a fairly active breed that likes to get out on walks and particularly enjoys games. It is a good idea to enroll a poodle in some sort of activity
so that the mind is stimulated along with the body. Poodles can do well in obedience, agility and most dog sports.

Standard: 80 - 100 minutes per day.
Standards need a good deal of exercise and space. Most of them love to swim and to retrieve so do take care when near water to ensure their safety.

Feeding requirements:Large, deep chested dogs should be fed carefully to avoid bloat and very small dogs should be fed twice a day to prevent hypoglycemia. Biscuit is good for helping keep their teeth a bit cleaner and healthier.

Exercise: Med

Grooming: High

Noise: Med

Personal Protection: Low

Suitability As Guard Dog: Medium

Level of Aggression: Low

Compatibility With Other Animals: High

Suitablity for Children: Low

Often docked:  Yes

Average litter size: 3 - 8

Life expectancy (yrs): 10 - 13

Health issues: Hip dysplasia, stifle problems, Addison's disease, epilepsy, luxating patellas, PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy), renal disease, skin disorders, sebaceous adenitis, thyroid problems and bloat. Bloat is a health concern to most breeds, being the largest killer of dogs second only to cancer. It is also known as gastric torsion or twisted stomach.

History:  Despite the claims of several other countries, France has now been officially recognized as the country of the Poodles origin though some authorities attribute Germany or Great Britain as their country of origin. There are also references to other dogs of similar type in Russia and several others in southwestern European nations. The Germans probably gave them the name Pudel, which means "to splash in water", referring to the sound an oar makes when hitting the water. Another name for the Poodle is Chien Canard, which means "duck dog". Originally bred as a retriever and flushers of birds, the Poodle became quite popular among French aristocracy and was designated the national dog of France. The Miniature and Toy Poodles owe their history to the Standard. They share common ancestors with the Irish Water Spaniel, and were originally used as a gundog and retriever. Their original purpose hardly goes in line with what they are used for today: shows. Poodles have become the iconic breed of dog shows to most people. France is where the Miniature was bred down in size.