A Poodle is a type of dog breed originally bred for retrieving waterfowl. Their amazing intelligence, trainability, and athleticism helped them to excel as water dogs in European countries. Poodles are one of the oldest breeds and one of the first breeds to be recognized by The Kennel Club of UK (KC) and the American Kennel Club (AKC), two of the most prestigious kennel clubs in the world. The history is fascinating, and the popularity of Poodles is not new. These dogs have been crowd pleasers for centuries, memorialized in paintings, sculptures, books, movies, etc.
Poodle Characteristics
There are official distinct physical characteristics that make a Poodle a Poodle. They are squarely built and carry themselves with elegance and dignity. Poodles are generally about as tall as they are long. They have long straight muzzles, rounded skulls, and long ears that hang close to the head. Their eyes are typically dark and oval shaped. Poodles have long graceful necks and deep chests. Their legs are long and muscular ending at relatively small oval shaped feet with thick paw pads and webbed toes. Tails generally sit high on the rear and straight up if docked (portion of the tail is removed) but can have a curl to it if left undocked. Their coat is a single layer of dense and curly hair which can be soft or wiry, and cut into a ton of different styles, probably the most iconic being the Continental Clip.
Poodle Types
There are several types of Poodles. The AKC and KC recognize three varieties: the Standard, Miniature, and Toy. The Federation Cynologique International (FCI), the world’s largest canine organization, also recognizes a fourth variety, the Medium, or Moyen. The Teacup Poodle is not recognized as a separate classification of Poodle, but rather a variation of the Toy and are 9 inches or less.
Poodle Sizes
Poodles are classified by their height, not weight. So, depending on how tall your poodle is at the top of their shoulder will determine what type of poodle you have. So, measuring at the top of the shoulder, Standards are 15 inches or more, Miniatures are 10-15 inches, and the tiny Toy is 10 inches or less. The FCI has a slightly different height requirement for each variety. All Poodles share the same physical traits regardless of the variety, in other words, your Toy Poodle is an exact smaller version of a Standard Poodle. The average healthy weight of a Poodle is determined by his size. Typically, a Standard Poodle weighs between 40-70 lbs., with males generally weighing more than females. Miniature Poodles usually weigh 10-15 lbs., and the tiny Toy 4-6 lbs. The pocket-sized Teacup Poodle generally weighs 4-6 lbs. but can be as small as 2 lbs.! A proper, well-balanced diet and plenty of exercise will help your Poodle maintain their weight which improves their overall health and happiness.
Poodle Temperament
The Poodle’s temperament makes them ideal family dogs. The loyal Poodle loves their family and will do just about anything to make their owner happy. Their friendly attitude and gentle nature have earned them the title of most popular breed multiple times. They are incredibly intelligent, outranked only by Border Collies, as the smartest dog breed. Because they are so smart, Poodles are very trainable. These winning qualities have helped them to excel at many jobs and competitions throughout history.
Poodle Health Issues
All Poodle types are generally healthy, but there are some issues they are at a higher risk for than other breeds. Some of these medical issues are: luxating patellas, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (LCPD), hip dysplasia, bloat, idiopathic epilepsy, sebaceous adenitis (SA), several eye conditions including Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) and cataracts, as well as several blood disorders, such as von Willebrand disease (vWD). Poodles are also at higher risk for several heart issues such as atrial septal defects (ASD) and several autoimmune diseases including Cushing’s disease, Addison’s disease, and hypothyroidism. Toy Poodles specifically, are at higher risk for luxating patellas, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (LCPD), idiopathic epilepsy, tracheal collapse, Cushing’s disease, and eye diseases, such as juvenile cataracts and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). Toy Poodles are also at increased risk for heart diseases such as dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), heart murmurs and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Kidney disease and dental disease are common health issues for Toy Poodles and Toy breeds in general. This may seem like a lot of health issues but remember, just because your Poodle is at higher risk for these medical conditions does not mean they will develop these issues. Knowledge is power and knowing how to recognize signs and symptoms of disease early can help you and your vet create a gameplan for your Poodle’s health. Along with regular vet visits, a healthy well-balanced diet and good dental hygiene are key in preventing disease and helping your Poodle live a long, healthy, happy life.
Poodle Maintenance – Grooming and Clips, Dental Care, Physical Exercise, Mental Stimulation, Family Time, Diet
Not going to lie, Poodles are high maintenance. They require lots of grooming, mental and physical stimulation, and lots of family time. If you can’t provide these things, your Poodle will be miserable. Please make sure you have the time and resources to devote to your furry family member. That being said, what you will get in return is priceless. Poodles are fun, funny, loving and loyal. (Ok that’s my PSA, thanks for reading)
Arguably the crowning glory of any Poodle is their coat. Dense and curly, a Poodle’s coat is naturally water resistant making them ideal water dogs. They have a single layer of hair, not fur, which means they shed very little, but their hair also keeps growing, so your Poodle will need consistent regular grooming to keep their coats free of tangles and mats, typically between 4-8 weeks, along with routine nail trimming. Poodles with a longer coat will need to also be brushed more frequently, recommendation is daily, to avoid matting and skin issues. While not technically hypoallergenic, their dense curly coat traps the shedding hair and dander rather than releasing it into the air, making them less likely to cause allergic reactions.
There are over 50 different Poodle clips, though only a few are permitted for shows-the Continental Clip, the Sporting Clip, the English Saddle Clip, and the Puppy Clip. Probably the most well-known cut is the Continental Clip. In this cut the legs, hindquarters, tail, and face are closely shaved except for small puffs of hair and the front of the Poodle is left full and fluffy. The Continental may seem a bit frou-frou and extravagant, but it did serve a purpose. Originally this cut was meant for function not fashion and served to promote efficient swimming and keep the Poodle’s vital organs and joints warm in cold water. The idea of tying the Poodle’s topknot back served a purpose as well. The brightly colored ribbons helped keep the hair out of their eyes while retrieving, and the ribbon aided hunters in finding their dog in the marshy areas. One of the easiest clips to do and maintain is the Puppy Clip, essentially your Poodle is clipped short one length all over. Another easy clip is the Lamb Clip. Your Poodle is cut one length overall, except for face, tail, and paws; these areas are shaved.
Dental disease is one of the most common medical conditions seen in dogs, and your Toy Poodle, is no exception. Dental care and teeth brushing is a must. For Poodles, the recommendation is daily, but at least three times a week minimum, to help prevent tartar buildup and remove plaque. There are also plenty of products on the market such as chew toys and dental treats. Regular visits to the dentist for checkups and professional deep cleanings will also help keep your Poodle’s teeth and gums healthy.
Poodles of all sizes need regular exercise to keep them healthy and happy. Don’t let their prissy appearance fool you, Poodles are high energy and will need a fair amount of physical exercise and mental stimulation, including the tiny Toy Poodle, on a daily basis. Luckily, the intelligent Poodle is eager to please and thrives on learning new tricks and games. They are an agile and athletic breed and do very well at water sports, retrieving, agility competitions, or simply a neighborhood walk and some playtime at the dog park. There are many problem-solving games and toys designed to keep your poodle mentally stimulated. A word of caution, a bored Poodle can quickly become a naughty Poodle as they attempt to entertain themselves. They may develop bad habits such as excessive barking, chewing or hole digging to relieve boredom. Finding activities that allow your Poodle to exercise his mind and body are key. As with any pet with a medical condition, consult your vet for the appropriate exercise routine.
The outgoing Poodle loves to be with their humans, preferring people over other dogs. Poodles are a friendly breed and are happiest when surrounded by the ones they love in a calm peaceful environment. Because of their social nature, these guys have a very difficult time being left alone for long periods of time. Separation anxiety, and depression are common in lonely Poodles. Anyone considering adding a Poodle to their family MUST be willing to spend lots of quality time playing, loving, and nurturing their furry companions. The effort you put into keeping your Poodle happy is minor compared to the reward of unconditional love you’ll receive.
Feeding your Poodle a high quality, healthy, well-balanced, age-appropriate diet is one of the most important jobs you have as a Poodle parent (sadly, donuts are not healthy). But there are so many kinds of diets (raw, grain free, dry kibble, wet food, vegetarian, fresh, medical issue specific, etc.) how do you know which one is right for your furry friend? All the choices can be a bit overwhelming, so if you are having trouble deciding, a discussion with your vet or nutritionist might be a good place to start. They will work with you to develop a balanced diet for your Poodle based on age, medical conditions, weight, lifestyle, and activity level. Poodles do tend to have sensitive stomachs, so once you’ve found a healthy diet that works, stick with it. Speaking from experience, Toy Poodles can be incredibly stubborn and picky. As hard as it is to resist their adorable faces and pleading eyes, try to keep treats to a minimum if your Poodle isn’t eating their regular meal. Trust me, if your Poodle thinks there is something tastier in the house than what you just put in his bowl, he will do everything in his power to get that tasty treat. Whoever came up with the term “stubborn as a mule” never had a Poodle as a pet!
Just like us, your Poodle needs to stay hydrated, so don’t forget to provide access to fresh clean cool water throughout the day. Remember to clean their food and water bowls with soap and water at least daily to remove nasty germs that could make your pup sick.
Poodle Colors
The original Poodles may have only been black, white, or a combination of the two, but now Poodles come in a wide variety of colors, even blue! However only certain colors, such as a solid white, black, silver, or brown are permitted to compete in specific dogs shows. Some other popular colors are apricot, red, grey, and café au lait. Not only do Poodles come in so many different colors, but they also come in lots of wonderful patterns. Parti, sable, phantom, multicolor, and abstract are all Poodle patterns.
Poodle Lifespan
Poodles are a comparatively healthy breed and with proper care they can be a wonderful addition to your family for many years. The average life expectancy of Standards is 12-15 years, however the oldest recorded Standard Poodle, Lady, lived for 28 years! According to the AKC that’s approximately 170 in human years! The average lifespan of Miniature Poodles and Toy Poodles is 10-18 years, with the oldest recorded Toy Poodle, Uncle Chichi, 24-26 years old!
So, What is a Poodle?
In my opinion, a Poodle is the best furry friend you can ask for! Ok, I may be a little biased, but I’m not alone, our love for Poodles has been shown time and time again throughout history. They are such amazing little beasties, so affectionate, smart, quirky, what’s not love? I’d love to hear from you! Please reach out if you have any questions or comments about Poodles. Thank you