Poodle: Dog Breed Characteristics & Care

The poodle is anextremely smart, energetic, and friendly member of the non-sporting group that originated in Germany and is known for its curly coat and three size varieties: toy, miniature, and standard. All sizes are considered to be the same dog breed and, as such, are held to the same breed standards. Under the poodle's frilly, low-shedding coat is a powerful athlete and an overall wonderful companion. These dogs typically get along with people very well and can be trained in a variety of tasks, including work as service andtherapy dogs.

Characteristics of the Poodle

Poodles tend to have a friendly and outgoing personality. High energy and intelligence also influence their temperament, and they prefer to have an active lifestyle. They generally are good around kids and even open to meeting strangers.

Affection Level	High
Friendliness	High
Kid-Friendly	High
Pet-Friendly	Medium
锻炼Needs	High
Playfulness	High
Energy Level	High
Trainability	High
Intelligence	High
Tendency to Bark	Medium
Amount of Shedding	Low

History of the Poodle

Despite being associated with France, poodles can actually trace their origin back to Germany. Going back more than 400 years, Germany had a dog that resembles today’s poodle—a retriever that was skilled in the water. In fact, the breed’s name comes from the German word for puddle.

The standard poodle is the oldest form of the breed. Hunters used this dog to retrieve waterfowl as well as to be a loving and loyal companion. They gave the poodle its trademark haircut, shaving parts for better range of motion but keeping the hair long around the chest and joints for protection and insulation.

In the early 20th century, the breed was downsized to the toy poodle and then the miniature, as more people wanted the poodle as a companion and not for hunting. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1887, and it is still one of the mostpopular dog breedsin the U.S. today.

Poodle Care

Poodles require ample daily exercise and mental stimulation to keep them happy and healthy. They also need consistent training and are typically adept at picking up new skills. Plus, their curly coat needs a fair amount ofgroomingattention.

锻炼

All sizes of poodle have a high energy level, along with high mental stimulation needs. They need at least an hour of exercise per day. Briskwalks, jogging, hiking, and swimming all are great options to give them exercise. And as retrievers, they love a game of fetch. Plus, they excel in dog sports, such as agility, which also can challenge them mentally. In addition, classes for service dogs, therapy dogs, and similar activities are a great way to challenge them mentally and physically.

Grooming

The coarse, curly, low-shedding, single-layer coat of a poodle grows continuously. It needs regular haircuts to keep it looking its best. Most owners keep the coat short for easier maintenance. You can either learn how to trim it at home or take your poodle to a groomer roughly every four to six weeks.

Regular brushing also is essential, as the hair is retained in the coat rather than being shed. This can lead to matting if you don’t brush your poodle fully to the skin. It’s best to brush at least two to three times per week, and some owners do so daily.

Baths and nail trims will be required about every four to six weeks. Also, check your dog’s ears at least weekly to see whether they need cleaning or have any abnormalities. Finally, aim to brush your dog's teeth every day.

Training

Like all dogs, poodles require propertrainingandsocializationto be happy and well-adjusted. Because poodles are extremely smart and eager to please, they can easily be trained to perform a variety of commands and tricks. But they also can learn that they can get away with bad habits if you aren't consistent in your training. So aim to start training when your dog is still a puppy with a basic obedience class.

Also, start socialization as early as possible by exposing your dog to different people, other dogs, and various settings. Most poodles love people and can even be good in multi-pet households when raised with the other pets. Plus, poodles are generallygood around children. However, the smaller toy and miniature poodles might not be a good choice with children who don’t know how to treat a dog gently, as they might become injured.

Common Health Problems

Poodles are a healthy dog breed overall. But they are prone to some hereditary health issues, including:

• 臀部dysplasia
• Eye problems
• Epilepsy
• Sebaceous adenitis (a skin disease)
• Von Willebrand’s disease (a blood disorder)
• Luxating patella(in which the kneecap moves out of place)
• Legg-Calve-Perthes disease(a hip disorder)
• Bloatand potentially life-threatening stomach twists

Diet and Nutrition

Always have fresh water available for your poodle. Most owners feed two measured meals per day of a quality, nutritionally balanced canine diet. Discuss the type of food and the quantity with your vet, as this can vary depending on age, activity level, and other factors. Make sure to factor treats and other extra food intake into your dog’s daily diet to prevent overeating.

采用或购买在哪里a Poodle

Check your local animal shelter and breed-specific rescue groups for a poodle in need of a home. If you’re looking for a reputable breeder puppy, expect to pay around $2,000 on average, though this can vary widely. For further information to help connect you with a poodle, check out:

• Poodle Club of America Rescue Foundation
• The Poodle Club of America
  

Poodle Overview

More Dog Breeds and Further Research

As with any breed, if you think the poodle is right for you, be sure to do plenty of research before adopting one. Talk to veterinarians, poodle owners, reputable breeders, and rescue groups to learn more.

If you’re interested in similar breeds, check out:

• Irish water spaniel
• Portuguese water dog
• Goldendoodle

There’s a whole world of potential欧宝体育平台信誉out there—with a little research, you can find the right one to bring home!