Let's talk Poodles

That agile gait, the regal demeanour, those enviable coiffes. You might take Poodles for the supermodels of the dog world; however, there is much more to this very old breed than meets the eye. Once bred for waterfowling, uber smart Poodles are natural athletes and inherently task-oriented. Whether it’s the Toy, Miniature or Standard variety, these top-of-the-class-clever dogs are highly trainable and excel in a number of canine activities, making them wonderful companions and family members.

Official name: Poodle

Other names: Caniche (France)

Origins: Germany

Black and white portrait of sitting Poodle
Drooling tendencies

Very low

Warm weather? Medium
Grooming needs Very high Cold weather? Medium
Shedding level Very low Suited to apartment living? High
Barking tendencies Can stay alone?* Medium
Energy Level* Medium
Family Pet?* High
Compatibility with other pets High

*We advise against leaving pets alone for long stretches. Companionship can prevent emotional distress and destructive behaviour. Speak to your veterinarian for recommendations.

Every pet is different, even within a breed; this snapshot of this breed specifics should be taken as an overview.

For a happy, healthy, and well-behaved pet, we recommend training and socialization.

Pets should never be left unsupervised with a child.

Contact your breeder or veterinarian for further advice.

Most domestic pets are sociable and prefer company. However, they can be taught to cope with solitude from an early age. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or trainer to help you do this.

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Illustration of a standing brown Poodle
Male
33 cm - 43 cm Height
11 kg - 12 kg Weight
Female
33 cm - 43 cm Height
10 kg - 11 kg Weight

Baby age Birth to 2 months
Puppy age 2 to 12 months
Adult age 12 months to 7 years
Mature age 7 to 10 years
Senior age 10 to 16 years

Poodle standing on grass with tongue out and tail up

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Get to know the Poodle

All you need to know about the breed

Sharp-witted, athletic dogs with a natural noble elegance, Poodles are exuberant dogs that come in three sizes – the Toy, the Miniature and the Standard.

Originally used by European hunters to retrieve game from streams and lakes, Poodles are highly alert, eager to please and task-driven. With an English name derived from the German word for splashing about in water and French name, caniche, that comes from “cane” or female duck, it’s no surprise that these dogs are excellent jumpers and swimmers.

Misconceptions about their disposition are usually based on their distinct “clips” or grooming style, which once had the practical purpose of keeping vital areas warm with longer hair while clipping other areas short to allow for ease of movement in water. Of course, there is also an aesthetic intention behind that eye-catching look, since Poodles have been favoured companions of the fashion-focused for centuries and are regular competitors, read winners, in dog shows.

Poodles are keenly sensitive and adapt very well to people. This combined with their substantial supply of energy means they thrive on attention and commands. With firm training and regular exercise, Poodles make excellent companions that are well-behaved around children and other animals.

Golden and chocolate Poodles standing side by side on grass

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2 facts about Poodles

1. Name that origin

And not necessarily in that order. But that’s what training is for. There are plenty of great Labrador puppy training videos on the internet, as well as great trainers locally. Playing helps keep your Labrador in great shape and prevents him from getting bored. You’ve got this!

2. They woke up like this

It just wouldn’t be fair if these knockout pooches got to be striking, smart and athletic all with only a short night’s sleep. In fact, Poodles really like their shut eye, with puppies getting around 15 hours of snooze time per day and adults around 12-13 hours per day. So, don’t be surprised if your Poodle gets in more than forty winks - being this beautiful takes rest!

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History of the breed

Theories about the origins of the Poodle include its ancestors travelling to Europe from the Asian steppes with Germanic tribes, or with North African Berbers, making their way to Europe via the Moorish invasion in the 8th century. Whatever the case, Poodles have been around for a very long time.

Established in Germany as a breed used for bird hunting and water retrieval over four centuries ago, the Poodle’s name comes from the German word “pudel” or “pudelin”, meaning to splash around in water. The Poodle’s trainability, athletic prowess and well-proportioned build quickly made them a sought-after breed.

So popular were Poodles that breeders began producing smaller versions – the Miniature followed by the Toy – to accommodate various uses. The French used the standard Poodle for hunting, while tasking the medium-sized Miniature with truffle hunting and the Toy with being a companion to the upper echelons of society.

In 1874, England’s Kennel Club registered its very first Poodle, and the American Kennel Club followed soon after, registering them in 1886. However, the breed didn’t enjoy solid success overseas until after WWII, reaching peak success in the 1950s and enjoying a two-decade run as the country’s preferred pup.

Though German in origin as far as their European presence is concerned, Poodles are widely thought of as the quintessence of French chic and are regular winners at competitions all over the world.

Black and white portrait of sitting Poodle puppy

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From head to tail

Physical characteristics of Poodles

1. Head

Head is slightly rounded, rectilinear, well-chiseled, with flat cheekbones and muscles

2. Face

Eyes are dark, oval-shaped, muzzle is perfectly straight and strong, ears are flat, rounded at the tips and covered in long, wavy hair

3. Body

Well-proportioned body, strong shoulders, muscular loin.

4. Tail

Tail is high-set and carried upward

5. Coat

Curly coat is thick, curly, resistant when pressed; Corded coat is dense, woolly, forms cords.

Brown Poodle puppy standing on grass

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Things to look out for

From specific breed traits to a general health overview, here are some interesting facts about your Poodle

Excitement or something more?

Poodles are naturally athletic and highly active, so it isn’t surprising when they take it up a notch and launch into zoomies - that behaviour when they start racing around and around in circles…. However, if the running seems more nervous than excited, they might be experiencing a seizure. There are many potential causes for seizures, so a trip to the veterinarian as soon as you notice anything unusual will help you catch anything early.

Look out for signs of hip dysplasia

Like many breeds, Poodles can suffer from the genetic disorder known as hip dysplasia, a condition where the femur slides partially out of the hip socket due to the malformation of the latter. Potential signs include decreased movement, “bunny hopping” gait, and/ or reluctance to run, jump, or climb stairs.

If left unchecked, hip dysplasia can develop into arthritis and, eventually lameness. The good news is, regular X-rays and check-ups with your veterinarian give you a head start in supporting your dog and ensuring best possible care.

Keep an eye open for eye issues

Another condition observed in some Poodles, particularly in the Miniature and Toy varieties, is PRA – progressive retinal atrophy. PRA encompasses a range of eye diseases that can cause the retina to gradually deteriorate. An early manifestation of PRA is night blindness, which can sometimes cross over into the day. Remember to ask your veterinarian for a PRA DNA test, which will help you stay on top of any potential issues.

Grey poodle bounding towards camera across a field

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Caring for your Poodle

Grooming, training, and exercise tips

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Poodles enjoy innate agility and athletic prowess coupled with energy to burn. As such, they should get moderate, regular exercise to ensure good physical health. It is recommended that your Poodle enjoy a minimum of one to three hours of exercise a day. Since they benefit greatly from activities, long walks, jogs, retrieving, and swimming are just a few great ways to help Poodles channel all of that energy.

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Poodles are a non-shedding breed with thick, curly – even wiry - hair that can be styled to suit a broad range of owner tastes. However, potential poodle owners should know that grooming the breed is a serious commitment that many prefer to outsource to professionals. And because Poodles should be groomed every three to six weeks, this can be a considerable expense. Some owners opt for an easier-to-maintain short clip, but this still requires regular brushing since the hair can quickly become matted.

The upshot is that, because the Poodle has a mostly non-shedding coat, they are a good choice for people with allergies!

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As far as training is concerned, Poodles go straight to the head of the class. With their sharp intelligence, athletic predisposition and profound desire to please, Poodles learn quickly and love being given a job.

In addition, early training and socialization helps them channel their abundant supply of energy and curb any predisposition to possessiveness. As they are highly responsive, reward-based training with treats and/ or favourite toys is an excellent approach to teaching them. Poodles enjoy being around people and need a fair amount of exercise. A Poodle that is left alone for long periods of time could turn toward destructive behaviour. Remember, a busy Poodle is a thriving Poodle!

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All about Poodles

While they are considered “moderate” barkers, Poodles never bark for no reason. Those reasons can include being left alone for long periods of time, passersby, excitement, etc. Luckily, this breed responds extremely well to solid, early training and can learn to stifle that bark.

In a word, yes. While they like to stay active during the days and are independent, an aspect that Poodle owners appreciate about the breed, Poodles have another side to them and are generally up for a good snuggle with their humans when the day is done.

Sources

1 – Veterinary Centres of America https://vcahospitals.com/

2 – Royal Canin Dog Encyclopaedia. Ed 2010 and 2020

3 – Banfield Pet Hospital https://www.banfield.com/

4 – Royal Canin BHN Product Book

5 – American Kennel Club https://www.akc.org/