Breed Description: The Poodle is a squarely built and well proportioned dog breed that comes in three distinct sizes, Standard (large), Miniature (medium), and Toy (small). First developed by Europeans as gun dogs for retrieving from water, they are one of the most intelligent and versatile breeds of dog and make wonderful family pets.
Group: Non-Sporting, Toy
Purpose of Breed: Gun dogs, water retrievers
Country of Origin: Europe
Average Size: Standard Poodles range from 21 inches to 27 inches; Miniature Poodles are no more than 15 inches tall and Toy Poodles are no more than 10 inches tall. "Royal", "Tea Cup" and "Tiny Toy" are not recognized or registrable varieties of poodle.
Color(s): Any solid color.
Coat Type: Coats are either curly (most common) or corded, and have a naturally harsh texture.
Grooming: Poodles are minimal shedders. The curly coat of this breed is easy to groom and keep clean. Dogs not maintaining the poodle clip will still need to be trimmed periodically to maintain a healthy and manageable coat. This breed requires standard care for pads and nails. Ears and eyes should be examined regularly.
Exercise Needs: Poodles are active dogs that enjoy running, swimming and playing. Their exercise requirements depend somewhat on their size, but all poodles require adequate physical and mental challenges to maintain their health. Poodles should be kept on a lead while walking and ideally, be provided with a fenced yard.
Temperament: This is one of the most intelligent and obedient of all of the dog breeds. Poodles are energetic, trainable, and although they are somewhat suspicious of strangers, they get along well with all manner of people and companion animals.
Common Ailments: Susceptible to hip dysplasia, PRA, Von Willebrand's Disease, thyroid problems. Patellar Luxation, Legg-Perthe's Disease, Addison's disease and skin problems. .
Life Expectancy: Averages 10-13 years
Trivia: Poodles are clipped for a purpose that is not just merely decorative. It is a clip that is meant to allow for easier swimming, and to protect the joints and vital organs while the dog retrieves in cold water.
More Information: Poodle club of America, Inc.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
Does anyone know what Poodle breed my dog is? I've been told he's a miniature Poodle purebred, but he seems way too big. What do you think?
Jennifer from Riverside, CA
Your dog looks a lot like my mom's dog, a bischon frise. Maybe yours is a mix.
The picture looks like my miniature apricot poodle, Pookie, who had his papers to prove he was purebred. He weighed 11 pounds. How much does your dog weigh? The AKC standard fo a miniature poodle is based on height at the shoulders, and for miniatures, it is more than 10" up to 15".
There's a variety of sizes in these dogs. I used to groom dogs and I have seen that many times. Looks like a poodle to me.
I agree with bichon frise. The tails are not docked. They can be from 8 pouinds to 34 it seems. They are wonderful, joyful, loving dogs. You are so lucky to have one. I have a puppymill rescue, Candie who is a bichon.
Definitely looks like a Bichon Frise.I have one and he is 22 lbs, long and lean. Same face. The tails are on the longer side and curl up.
We have a cream colored cockapoo and he looks almost just like her!
Definately a toy or minature poodle. Like my baby boy.
Definitely a poodle. I have 5 miniature and 4 toys. It looks like mine. Do you have papers for it?
I had a bischon frise that looked almost exactly like that, either that or a poodle.
I just bought a Toy Poodle that is 3 months old. It is afraid to come to me or my boyfriend or anyone. Once you get it, it will let you hold it and it will love it, but other than that it will run from you!
By Sarah
Try some 'treat therapy'. Every time you call to the puppy and it doesn't come to you, go to it with a nice small treat - give it to the puppy and praise loudly whilst petting and saying the dog's name over and over coupled with the praise words 'Oh Ruff, what a good baby you are Ruff!
It shouldn't take long with a puppy that age to have it looking for treats every time it hears you say it's name - so keep giving a small treat, praise, and reinforce that with repetitions of the name.
Not long after that you'll find the dog answers to their name and comes straight to you - always have a little treat and lavish praise ready!
Over time you can gradually cut out the constant treats for just the praise - the praise should always be loud, lavish, and enthusiastic. Even when your puppy is pushing twenty:)
Of course, doing this will teach your dog that you are the font of all good things, which is good, of course. But it also might teach your dog that all people are wonderful like you and that can be a not-so-good thing.
So to take your training sessions that extra safety step - consider finding and following good training guides (library, bookstore, vet recommendations) and a training course to really put the finishing touches on helping your new companion to completely adjust.
Put him on a leash, give him the command to come. Gently tug on the leash, and pull him towards you. Give him bountiful praise, have a huge party. Treats are great too. Don't ever punish him for coming, no matter what.
Use treats! Be calm, be patient, and let her come to you. There are two reasons she might run - she thinks it's a game or she's afraid. If you chase her to pick her up that's not going to change :) Instead be calm and soothing. Come down to her level and don't push her. Give her a treat if she comes to you (you might even have to start with the treat on the floor in front of you). This teaches her that coming to you is rewarding! Slowly phase out the treat and she'll be coming when you call like a champ.
I want to let my dog have one litter of puppies. She is 12 inches to the shoulder. What size would be the safest, as I've only found 14 inch miniatures to stud? Would this be safe as my dog is petite? The studs I've seen seem a lot bigger and broader although they are miniature poodles too. Thanks for your time?
By polly
Please don't breed your little dog. The sire should always be smaller than the dam and you could endanger your dog's life.
If you do decide to do this anyway, please keep your little dog under a good vet's care for the duration of her pregnancy. She could very well have trouble birthing the pups and might require a C-section.
Why do you want to breed her? The shelters and rescues are full of dogs needing a home. Over 7 million of them are euthanized a year. Professional breeders spend alot of money on medical tests including genetic ones on both the female and sire to insure the best outcomes for the mom and pups.
I totally agree. Please do not breed your dog. All sorts of dogs are put down every day because they lack homes. Don't breed or buy while shelter pets die!
Check out these photos.
Kiara (Ki-ki) is 10 months old and a Blue Standard Poodle. We got her about a month ago from a friend as a gift!
I was in a reminiscent mood yesterday and pulled out all of the photo albums. This photo in particular gave me oodles of forgotten giggles and I just have to share the giggles with you.
Skipper is my 9 year old Poodle. We adopted Skipper 4 months ago. His owner passed away and the son wanted to find him a good home. Our 15 year old Poodle mix passed away 2 years ago. Once we met Skipper, it was love at first lick!
Rudy is a 2 year old standard Poodle. We rescued Rudy from a puppy mill in Oregon when he was just a couple of months old. He likes to chase, hide and seek, play ball, and play with his other dog buds. He is a very loving and affectionate dog.
Molly is 6 year old Poodle. I had her mother Cocoa and I delivered her. Molly plays with a rubber ring. I throw it in the air and she catches it, she will even chase it if I roll it outside.
Jewel is a 7 year old Teacup Poodle. We got her for our 20th anniversary. She likes to play with squeak toys and take long walks. When she gets very excited and barks at an animal outside she will end each bark with saying "mama."
King Jr. is a 7 year old miniature poodle mix. I saw an ad in the penny saver, and I got him as soon as they took him out of the van. He was so cute at 3.5 lbs. I fell in love on the spot back in 2004.
Ringo is a 2 year old Toy Poodle. I got him 2 years ago. He likes to chase cars and bark at birds He is a very adorable and playful happy puppy. :)
After my other dog died, I went the next day and got my Dagwood. He was a little fur ball.
Jewel is an 8 year old Teacup Poodle. We got her for our 20th anniversary. In this pic we put a hat from a stuffed animal on her. As you can see from the look on her face she was not happy, lol.
She came from K.I (Kangaroo Island), when I was in year 5, in my mum's handbag. She was wrapped up in my younger sister's baby blanket.
Gigi is a 5 1/2 year old Mini Poodle I bought from a lady who had puppies. She likes to chase and throw her ball to me. She is so smart and funny, she knows exactly what to do when I use my hands or talk.
Mindy is a 10 year old Poodle that I got in 2008. She likes to do the Mindy dance! She is a loveable, eccentric dog that we love very much!
