Poodles are intelligent dogs and very active. They are sometimes referred to as ‘Beauty with no brains. Don’t be fooled by this assumption as they are superbly smart, very active and very obedient. Although proud, they take pride in their selves. The Poodle head is moderately built in a round shape, with a flat shaped cheekbones and muscles. The Poodle neck is ewe and with a level top line. They have a deep and perfectly wide chest. The shoulders are muscular and smooth. They have a straight tail and a short loin but muscular.
Poodles – The Clever Show Breed
Poodles are very popular in the United States and the United Kingdom and some other countries. Poodles coats are curly, fine textured and do not shed quite often. The coat is made of hair and not fur. The coat is of different colors, and the coat colors are usually darker around the ears. The nose and lips are black but match the coat color. Poodles generally like sport especially the canine sport, and they perform brilliantly at it. They are ranked in the top 5 most intelligent dog breeds. They are a very versatile animal.
Origin
The Poodle has been around for years immemorial. The name originated from German ‘Pudeln’ which means water splashes. They are believed to have originated from East, and some believed they originated from Africa. The Toy Poodle is kept as a pet and for companionship while the Miniature and standard which are the larger sizes are used for field works.
Poodle Appearance
The Poodles are in three different sizes: the Toy is the lowest of them all weighing about 10 pounds for both genders, the Miniature which weighs between 15 to 25 pounds for both male and female and lastly, the standards which weigh about 40 to 75 pounds for both genders.
The Poodles height is between 24 to 28 cm, for the Toy Poodle. While the Miniature Poodles height is between 28 to 38 cm tall, and the Standard Poodle’ height varies for both genders: male Standard Poodles height is over 38 cm while the female is usually over 38 cm during the withers.
Positive Traits
Poodles are intelligent breeds. They are always eager to learn new things, and they like to exercise to an extent, two walks on a daily basis is enough for them. They like tricks and are very talented when it comes to learning tricks.
They are fun to be with and very playful. They are moderately playful with children and are very cold towards strangers until they get to master their faces. But in all, they are affectionate animals and a good companion. They are very proud, active and smart. They also like being busy at all times; they do not like to lazy around. They bark when necessary.
Negative Traits
When the Poodles are not given what they want or desire, they can become destructive. If not looked after properly, they can easily get injured especially the Sleeve Poodles (Toy) while the Standard and Miniature can look after themselves well. They also need supervision when put with other dogs of other breeds.
Adaptability
Poodles can adapt well to new homes and environment provided they feel comfortable and well cared for. They can adapt well where there are other dogs and cats.
Training
Poodles should be trained at an early age, so they get accustomed to every details and lesson taught early. They are quite easy to train, and they have strong ability in recognizing the human voice. They should be taken for walks, allowed to run and swim as well as they are fast runners and good swimmers. They are good in all kinds of activities. They like to please their owners when engaged in training and can understand up to 100 words and above.
Poodle Lifespan and Health
The Poodles have a longer lifespan of about 10 to 18 years. The Standard Poodle usually live for about 13 years while the Miniature and Toy Poodles can live for about 15 years on average.
The Poodles are prone to Bloat especially the Standard Poodle. When this happens, they suffer severe pains and can progress to Volvulus. These conditions can only be corrected with surgery. This is why it is recommended that Poodles should be given food one hour before or after exercise and their water should be placed on a raised pavement, table or object.
Dental issues are also very common in Poodle hence; regular brushing and scraping should be done either by the owner or through professionals. Dental check-ups should also be carried out on regular quarterly or yearly.
In conclusion, Poodles should be groomed properly and daily. They should be brushed at least twice a week. They should regularly be clipped as they can grow long on and on and into cords if proper care is not given.