Standard Poodles tend to be more docile and have lower energy level than the smaller varieties. Toy Poodles may be high-strung and barky. Poodles like to be around their owners and dislikes being left alone. Remarkably, Poodles have no doggy odour.
Central Europe (maybe Russia) or Germany, 1500s. The Poodle is a descendant of the French Water Dog (extinct), the Barbet and also the Hungarian Water Hound. It is postulated that the name Poodle came from the German word “Pudel”, meaning “one who plays in water”. The Poodle was used by German and French hunters as a gundog, and also as a retriever of waterfowl. Some were employed to sniff out truffles. Because of the Poodle’s high intelligence and trainability, Poodles were also employed in the circus. Their popularity in France led to the common name ‘French Poodle’, but they were often referred to as ‘Caniche’ (duck dog). The Miniature and the Toy Poodles were bred down from the larger dogs (today known as the Standard Poodle). Though the size difference, the three variants are considered the same breed.
Water retriever; truffle finder.
Poodles are friendly, have great sense of fun, proud, loyal, intuitive, and sparky.
Poodles come in three sizes, Standard, Miniature, and Toy, but except for size, the standard for each is exactly the same. Toy Poodles are under 25.5 cm; 3 to 5.5 kg. Miniatures are 28 to 38 cm; 7.5 kg. Standards are usually over 53.5 cm; 20.5 to 25 kg. Any solid colour including black, white, silver, blue, apricot, brown. Some breeders are breeding an in-between size (Klein Poodle), and a smaller Teacup Poodle.
Single, harsh, curly coat. High maintenance; all Poodles need daily grooming and regular clipping. Professional grooming is recommended; however, you are not required to have a Continental or English Saddle clip as show dogs do. Ask for a sensible, easy-care clip such as the ‘pet clip’, ‘puppy clip’, or ‘lamb clip’. Poodles are very light shedders.
PRA (Miniature and Toy), distichiasis, Legg-Perthes (Miniature and Toy) glaucoma, patellar luxation (Toy and Miniature), cancer, epilepsy (Miniature and Toy), sebaceous adenitis (Standard), sebaceous gland tumors, ear infections, conjunctivitis, enteritis, entropion, colour dilution alopeica (Standard), PDA, cardiomyopathy (Standard), mitral valve insufficiency (Toy and Miniature), hip dysplasia (Standard and Miniature), hypothyroidism, allergies.
Moderate to high. Poodles need to be walked daily. The Standard Poodle still keeps its sporting instincts. It has great stamina and generally needs more activities than the Miniature and Toy Poodle.
All sizes of Poodles can accommodate themselves to apartment living. When exercised sufficiently, Standard Poodles are relatively inactive indoors, although the same could not be said about the Miniature and Toy Poodles.
Superior family dog but may be reserved around strangers. Smaller Poodles, who may be timid, do better in a calm household. All are excellent with family children, with the Standard Poodle being the best; some Toy Poodles can get too excitable for kids. Variable with other pets; they seem to enjoy the company of other Poodles most.
Very high; very responsive; training the Poodle is extremely rewarding. These dogs enjoy obedience work.
Agility, retrieving, obedience, hunting, trick dog, therapy dog.