In German Poodles are called Pudel while in French they are called Caniche. Poodles are sometimes called a breed of water dogs.
On the basis of size, the poodle is divided into four varieties, The Toy poodle, Miniature Poodle, Standard Poodle, and Medium Poodle, although there is no universal agreement on the Medium Poodle breed.
Average Sizes, Group and Life Expectancy of the Poodle
Appearance
According to AKC the size of a poodle and life expectancy.
Height
At the shoulder 18 – 24 inches (45 – 62 cm ) tall
Weight
Male poodle – 60-71 pounds or 20 – 32 kg
Female poodle – 40-50 pounds
Average Life Expectancy
On average 10- 18 years life span
Group of the breed: Companion Dogs
Toy Poodle
Appearance
Height: Stands approx 9 – 11 inches or 24 -28 cm
Weight: 14- 17 pounds or 6 – 8 kg
Miniature Poodle
Appearance
Height: Stands approx 11 – 14 inches
Weight: 26 – 31 pounds or 12 – 14 kg
Medium Poodle
Appearance
Height: Stands approx 14 – 18 inches or 35 -45 cm
Weight: 33 – 42 pounds or 15 – 19 kg
Standard Poodle
Appearance
Height: Stands approx 18 – 24 inches or 45 -62 cm
Weight: 44 – 71 pounds or 20 – 32 kg
History of Poodle
The Poodle is a dog breed that is often thought of as too high-strung. In fact, the history of Poodle dogs shows that this is actually a myth. The truth is that these dogs were bred to be quite intelligent and hard workers. They are great for people who want to be active with their pets, but really do not want to deal with a large dog breed.
One claim from the middle ages is that the Poodle dog breed has its roots in Germany where dog hair was used to make materials for clothing and ropes. The word “poodles” comes from the German word “pudel”, which is derived from the word in German “PuddeIn” meaning splash or the “one who plays in water”. This refers to the fact that many dogs of this type were originally used by hunters as retrievers because they swam well and retrieved downed birds from the water. Poodles are also considered to be the oldest breed for hunting waterfowl. Therefore poodles are sometimes called water dogs
When looked into history, standard poodles are used by wildfowl hunters to retrieve game from water and other small breeds which have roots in France once used as circus performance but gradually these smaller breeds become companion dogs.
Regardless of where the Poodle originated, this indicates the modern poodle’s ancestor whether it is a German breed or a French breed widely used by waterfowlers.
Ancestor poodles were also used to bring shot games, these breeds were also used to retrieve lost arrows and bolts.
When they were used as waterfowler’s dogs, the lion coat clip developed as practicality, around the chest the long hair protects and works as an insulation for the poodle in freezing water.
Due to their intelligence, athleticism, and nature, poodles were particularly used in circuses in France. The miniature poodle was bred to downsize from the standard poodle so that it can be easily used in circuses. Because the miniature poodle was easy to transport and handle in a traveling circus.
The toy poodle was bred at the beginning of the 20th century when there was an urge to create a companion dog. The breeder again created a toy poodle in a smaller size than a miniature poodle. At the start, there were no behavioral problems seen in these disfigured or misshapen pups. With irresponsible breeding the dwarfed size poodle came into existence with the new practice of breeding adopted as a result of this practice the toy poodle size is a complete replica of the original poodle, later practiced to breed smaller poodle which was called Teacup Poodle was bred but Teacup poodle could not develop and sustain the behavioral problems then breeder stopped creating Teacup Poodle due to genetic abnormalities developed.
Finally, the Medium poodle whose size is between a standard poodle and a toy poodle although Medium poodle is not yet recognized by the kennel club officially and universally. But Medium poodles are recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale and most Continental European kennel clubs. This 4th type of poodle was created in order to reduce the Poodle varieties in conformation shows.
Breed Characteristics and Traits
Temperament
Affectionate With Family
Poodles are very affectionate with their family members and love spending time with them. However, they are not recommended for homes with young children because they can knock over toddlers easily because of their long fur and size.
The standard poodle is the most recommended for families with children due to staying long in upper and middle-class families.
Towards with children
Poodles, especially standard poodles are very happy in nature and are considered as a frou-frou dog. Standard poodle loves to bounce around and shows interest in physical and social stimulation, therefore school-age children and teenagers love to play hide and seek games with standard poodles. Stands poodles love to play with balls and try to catch wayward balls with their mouths as this breed is very happy with children and teenagers.
Toddlers and small children need to be supervised when introducing poodles with them.
Affectionate With Others or Strangers
When poodles are introduced to outside of family members some poodles may be reserved in nature and a little aloof, as a bit of time elapsed poodle starts to realize that there is no harm then starts showing warmth and disposition towards strangers
check which is the best Toy vs standard poodle
Behaviour With Other Dogs
Poodles need to be supervised with other dogs when you are going to first introduce with other dogs, as nature this breed also tries to dominate with other dogs.
Suitable for Guard
Poodles are not suitable for guard dogs due to low aggressiveness in nature and lack of territorially bred.
Although some poodles are devoted to their master, these breeds are considered to be calm and loyal in nature which shows devotion, therefore these breeds are protective of their master and master’s children.
Health and Grooming
General Health
This poodle breed is considered to live a long happy and healthy life because of the dedicated efforts of breeders but still, some poodles are prone to most common diseases and health issues like hip dysplasia, eye disorder, epilepsy, and sebaceous adenitis. Some health issues also occur with these breeds like von Willebrand’s disease.
Legg calve perthes and luxating patellas disease are also reported in Miniature and toy poodles.
Gastric dilation with bloat (volvulus) and sebaceous adenitis has been reported in standard poodles.
If you are adopting a poodle you should ask shelter or rescue about the physical history of its parents or siblings( relatives)
Hypoallergenic qualities
A poodle has follicles hair in nature, making it a hypoallergenic dog breed.
Poodle hair growth rate is much longer than any other breed of dog.
Due to the combination of curly coats, and also to the fact that most poodles are brushed and bathed regularly to keep them tidy and clean, Poodles shed less hair into their surroundings.
In spite of the fact that dog hair, dander, and saliva can be minimized, they can still stick to clothing and carpets and furniture”; they can trigger allergies if inhaled or licked by a pet. An air purifier, an air duct outlet, vacuum can help clear the air of pet dander.
Shedding level of poodle
Most dogs shed hair and fur behind when kept home. Poodles are considered less shedding breeds. Its hair is a bit long and tangled with surrounding hair. Although you need to brush them and brushing more frequently sometimes triggers some allergies.
Grooming Frequency
Poodles need to be groomed more frequently than any other breed.
Brushing, trimming and bathing requires more frequent for poodle breeds to maintain their coat. Nail trimming is also required for this kind of breed.
Amount of Drooling
Dogs may drop ropes of slobber on your clothes or on your arms. It’s bad for your personality to have a big wet spot on your clothes if you’re neat and tidy by nature, then this breed is not great for you. If you are neatnik.
Coat and Clips
Poodles have hair like humans, not fur. The texture varies from woolly to soft and wavy. As per claims over 55 different coats of poodle exist and the most popular clips in the show ring are continental clips in which rear body and face hair is removed or clipped and the hocks and the tip of the tail are tufted and the hips are covered in rosettes
Standard Poodle requires brushing more frequently about 10 Hrs/ week for maintenance as soon as its career comes to end then clipping and brushing come in low.
Grooming
Due to tangles of hair with surrounding hair poodles require more grooming than any other breed. Approx every 6 – 8 weeks a poodle owner can anticipate grooming.
As hair also grows in the poodle ears, the poodle’s owner religiously cleans the ear hair. If the ear is cleaned with solution and hair is removed then the owner must pay attention and make sure that earwax does not accumulate in the ear and make sure moisture does not stay there because these two can trigger infection
Tolerates Being Alone
A poodle is known as a breed that requires both mental and physical activity. It is intelligent, energetic, and sociable. Poodles require some exercise as this breed does not like to be aloof. Long aloofness may cause separation and anxiety.
Nutrition or feeding
Regardless of the size of the poodle, you want him or her to feed proper and healthy foods.
Keep in mind some poodles are prone to gain weight so you should take care of calories and fat when feeding your pups.
Your dog’s age decides how much you can feed them and what activity level your poodle has, this can be decided by vet and breeder.
When you have decided to give some treats to a loved poodle then try to adopt feeding moderation. In training, treats are essential items for dogs but keep in mind giving overdose can lead to weight gain for your dog.
The best practice is to consult with your vet.
Trainability
Poodles obey their owner; they are highly trainable dogs. Poodles are the best breed at many sports which include dock diving, dog agility, dog surfing, field tracking, and flyball.
Larger breeds in this variety love to go on hiking seven on camping trips with their owners.
Exercise
Poodles love to play and swimming whether at sea or at the lake is the most liked activity for poodles as this breed loves to be in water due to instinctive water attraction.
As a nature of hunting dogs poodles love to play with tossing toys, balls, and sticks in this exercise is good for both mental and physical.
Being a retriever this breed loves to walk along with its owner.
