Is a poodle the right dog for you?

The poodle is a fantastic dog breed and is perhaps one of the friendliest and most entertaining dogs for the entire family. Poodles are easy to train, loads of fun, and quite energetic.

They like to be with people most of the time and definitely hate being in a kennel.

Socialization for poodles should be taken seriously, and it should begin at an early age. They are often recognized as the second most intelligent dog breeds ranked just below the Border Collie. Poodles are great with other pets and even your guests.

There’s a long-running debate about where this breed originated. Some say it was initially meant to be a German water-type dog while others proclaim it’s a distant relative of the French Barbet. The poodle is the official dog in France.

According to a study conducted by the Wagging Mongrel, the standard poodle leaves the Labrador breed in the dust with its average speed of 20 mph (32km/h).

But enough of that, let’s take a closer look at this intelligent dog breed.

 
Poodles are more than adorable companions

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Regardless of their small size and variations, all types of poodles have the same build and proportions.

They have a long and straight muzzle, ears that hang down, and a docked, pompom tail. Most poodles that compete in conformation or agility often support a Continental Clip.

Poodles are friendly and only show signs of temper when agitated or threatened. Unfortunately, they tend to be yappy, so they bark even when happy. That’s why it’s crucial to train them not to do so.

Basic information

Depending on their size — toy, miniature, or standard — poodles can weigh from 7 pounds (3 kg) to as much as 70 pounds (32 kg). 

Their average life expectancy ranges from 12 to 15 years. Poodles come in a variety of colors, including white, black, red, brown, gray, blue, and phantom, to name just a few.

Intelligence and training

Poodles are considered to be one of the most active dogs, and this means they require regular exercise every day. They are quite enthusiastic about trying new things and love to be kept busy playing.

Poodles love cold water and enjoy swimming. They also naturally have a retrieving instinct due to their ancestral heritage as hunting dogs. They also like taking long walks.

Because they are intelligent, the dogs are easy to train. Poodles have won many international competitions, including agility, obedience, and tracking. Poodles are born pleasers and would go any length to please their masters.  

They rarely snore, drool, or dig.

Grooming needs

Since poodles seldom shed the way other dogs do, they are considered hypoallergenic. Plus, they are odorless, so if you do not like stinky dogs, this one is for you.

As an owner of a pet poodle puppy, you can anticipate grooming every 6 to 8 weeks. It’s also essential to clean the dog’s ears regularly to remove hairs to stop earwax and moisture buildup, which can cause infections. Poodles can be considered high maintenance because of this need to care for their ears.

You’ll also need to learn to brush your poodle puppy daily. This will prevent their coat from matting. Be sure to brush the hair all through and reach the skin. If you don’t, then their hairs will mat near the roots, causing tangles that you’ll eventually have to shave off. 

Shedding patterns

Unlike other dogs, poodles have a single coat with no undercoat. Their hair is dense and curly and unlike other dogs that shed every three or four days, a poodle sheds once every few weeks.

Because poodles are allergy-friendly, breeders often choose them to breed with other dogs including cocker spaniels, Labrador retrievers, and Golden retrievers. The mixes are often known as doodles. 

Different sizes

There are three different types of poodles, namely standard, miniature, and toy. Standards are 15 inches tall at the shoulder, miniatures are 15 inches or under, and toys are not more than 10 inches. The standard size is probably still used to carry out old poodle traditions of working as a water retriever. It is also the oldest of the three varieties.

The toy variation can weigh around 6 to 9 pounds, miniatures can weigh 15 to 17 pounds, and the standards can weigh about 45 to 70 pounds.

If you choose a poodle other than a standard, then make sure that your miniature or toy is well trained. Otherwise, they can easily become spoiled. You need to let them know you are the leader of the pack.

Feeding

Poodles need food according to their size. The standard’s recommended daily intake is 1.5 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food each day. You can divide this into two meals. For miniatures, three-quarters of a cup to 1 cup is adequate. Toys need only a quarter to a half cup at most.

If your dog is highly active, then he might need more food than a lazy one. The quality of dog food you buy also matters.

Overweight poodles can develop joint problems. Always remember dog food is much healthier than table scraps, so avoid this habit; otherwise, your poodle will become a finicky eater and gain too much weight.

Loneliness issues

Poodles are companion dogs. Loneliness isn’t good for them as it can cause them to become stressed and timid. The variation that suffers the most from being lonely is the toy, which can develop stomach problems if stressed.

Poodles are genetically anxious dogs and if they spend too much time alone, they can develop separation anxiety and exhibit destructive behavior such as chewing and soiling. 

Health problems

Poodles are prone to cancer, liver disease, and even cardiac arrest. Here some of the most common ailments for poodles:

Addison’s Disease

Also known as hypoadrenocorticism, Addison’s Disease is a serious condition that can be caused when there is insufficient production of adrenal hormones by the adrenal gland. Symptoms of adrenal disease in dogs include lethargy, poor diet, and vomiting.

Unfortunately, many dog owners fail to recognize this disease in the early stages and don’t catch it until it becomes more advanced. In severe situations, potassium levels skyrocket and start interfering with the dog’s heart function. If caught early, this disease can be treated through lifelong medication, thus allowing your dog to live a normal life. 

Gastric Dilatation Volvulus

This is commonly known as bloat, and it is another life-threatening condition that affects large dogs like standard poodles. If your dog is fed one large meal per day or eats rapidly, drinks large volumes of water after meals, or even exercises vigorously after meals, the risk for bloat increases. Bloat happens when the stomach fills with gas and swells, which causes it to twist.

This prevents the dog from being able to pass the air and the dog goes into shock. The dog’s blood pressure drops and it could die without immediate help. Warning, bloat can occur without visible swelling in the dog’s abdomen. 

Conclusion

Poodles are a great choice, and they can do well in any type of home, ranging from apartments to bigger estates.

However, you need to make sure that they receive plenty of exercise and companionship. Poodles love to live indoors with family members and also enjoy outings with family members.

Poodles are an intelligent breed, but owners need to take care to not teach or reinforce bad habits. If you get a miniature or toy poodle, don’t skimp on the training. It’s easy to pamper and spoil small dogs and that can end badly for both dog and owner.

To adopt a Poodle, check Petfinder.com. To find an American Kennel Club-Registered poodle breeder, visit the AKC Marketplace.

Amanda Jerelyn works as a Lifestyle Blogger at Assignment Assistance, where higher education students can acquire professional assistance for their subjects and topics from experts. During her free time, she likes to engross herself in the world of popular fiction, such as the likes of the famous J.R. Tolkien.

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