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Poodle

Veterinarian Reviewed on December 23, 2007 by Dr. Janice Huntingford

Physical Characteristics

Poodle.jpg

Breed Group:

There are 3 breed groups which Poodles fall under: Standard, Miniature, Toy Standards

Weight:

Depending on the variety of poodle, their weight can vary quite drastically. A toy would weigh in the 2-5 kg range whereas a standard in the 10-15 kg range.

Height:

Again, depending on the variety of poodle, the height will range from that of a small toy to that of a larger dog.

Color(s):

While white and black are the most common colors of poodles, you will also find other colors. Poodles can be parti-colored and have large patches of colors. There are also Phantom Poodles which are patterned and solid-colored poodles are exactly that – solid in color.

Coat:

Poodle coats have a similar texture as sheep’s wool and is usually clipped in a number of different ways, depending on the preference of the owner.

Overview

Character:

Poodles love human interaction and aim to please their owners. They make good watchdogs and can be excellent with children. They are athletic and love to run and play.

Country of Origin:

France and Germany

History:

The history of the poodle is a long one. Originally bred as a water dog to retrieve game fowl, they have been linked to ancestors as far back as the Egyptian and Roman eras. Unfortunately, the history of the poodle is otherwise unclear. There is some evidence to suggest they are descendents of Asian herding dogs who traveled west with Germanic nomads and eventually became German water dogs. Another theory suggests that poodles were brought to Europe by North African Berbers and eventually found their way into Portugal with the Moors.

In addition, unlike other breeds bred to different sizes, the 3 sizes of poodle (miniature, toy, and standard) have always been around.

Name:

As poodles were originally bred as water dogs, their name comes from the German word “pudeln” which means “to splash in water.”

Temperament:

Despite their reputation as being arrogant, prissy dogs, the poodle is often considered among the most intelligent of dog breeds. They are very energetic, alert and active and without ample exercise they will exhibit problem behavior. Poodles are agile and athletic, they are usually good with children, and make good family pets.

Care

Training:

Poodles are intelligent, highly adaptable, and therefore easy to train.

Activity:

As they are originally hunting dogs, poodles thrive when they get a lot of exercise. They make excellent running or walking companions, and would ideally need at least 2 longer walks a day. They are also agile and athletic so are usually successful competitors. Without adequate exercise, poodles get bored, frustrated, and destructive.

Ownership:

Poodles are excellent pets. They are intelligent and affectionate dogs that will bond with a whole family. For the most part, they are good with children and other dogs but may show some apprehension around unfamiliar animals. They have a rather strong hunting instinct so supervision, especially around birds and small pets, is important. There are a number of health problems to which poodles are prone, including Addison’s disease, cataracts, congenital heart disease, chronic active hepatitis, and epilepsy.

Breeders

List of dog breeds

Read also: Basenji
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Our Expert

Dr. Janice Huntingford
Janice Huntingford, DVM, has been in veterinary practice for over 30 years and has founded two veterinary clinics since receiving her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph. She has studied extensively in both conventional and holistic modalities. Ask Dr. Jan

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