Poodles Articles

Cheat Sheet / Updated 03-27-2016

Poodles are known for their keen intelligence and excellent trainability, and, most notably, those signature curly locks. But there's more to the Poodle than meets the eye. Learn some of the Poodle breed's history and the personalities of the three different varieties of Poodle. And remember that just like most dogs, Poodles will eat anything and everything — it's up to you to know what treats are both healthy and tasty to feed your Poodle.

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

No matter where your Poodle comes from, she should be healthy. You may feel sorry for the sick puppy in the corner, but don't take her home. Start with a healthy Poodle, and look for the following: The coat should be clean and shiny. The dog should move freely, with no limping or wobbling. Puppies aren't always graceful, but a puppy shouldn't be falling down or staggering when it moves. A Poodle shouldn't have open sores, and she should look well fed. The eyes should be clear and bright, with no discharge or swelling. Lift up the ear flaps (properly called leathers). The interior of the ear should be pink, not red, and you shouldn't see swelling or discharge. Sniff gently to make sure you don't detect an odor. If you're buying a puppy from a breeder, ask to see the mother (and the father, if possible). The mother dog should be healthy as well. She may look a bit thin; having a litter takes a lot out of a dog, but she should otherwise look healthy. You may not be able to examine her as closely as a puppy, but the same criteria apply. Make sure the dogs are housed in a clean, well-lit, well-ventilated area. The bedding and surrounding area should be clean. The area doesn't have to be sterile, but it shouldn't smell or have an accumulation of dirt, feces, or urine. Go elsewhere for your puppy if the environment is dirty and the dogs aren't healthy. Don't feel so sorry for the puppies that you "rescue" one. This just encourages the breeder to produce more puppies, and you may not be able to save the sick one. If she doesn't die, she may never be a completely healthy adult. And you'll expose any dog you already have at home to disease.

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

The Poodle is considered one breed, with three "varieties" within the breed. Except for the size difference, each variety is identical to the rest. No matter what the size, a Poodle is an intelligent, friendly companion. Poodle sizes, from largest to smallest, are Standard. Poodle is over 15 inches at the shoulders' highest point. Miniature. Poodle is 15 inches or less at the shoulders' highest point but measures at least 10 inches. Toy. Poodle stands 10 inches or less at the shoulders' highest point. The three types of Poodle also have general differences in temperament: A Standard tends to be more aloof and self-contained. A Miniature picks her person and wants to always be with that person. A Mini never lets up; she always wants to do something — anything — with her person. A Toy is happy to curl up on your lap and cuddle. It's not that a Toy can't excel in agility or doesn't enjoy obedience training or that a Standard isn't a loving companion, but, in general, the three types of Poodles do exhibit different personalities. No matter what size you prefer, you're going to get a dog willing to participate in family activities. Poodles also are intelligent, which means that if you don't give them something to do, they'll invent something, which may not meet with your approval. Their intelligence means they're the perfect partners for performance event competition, but you don't have to compete. Teach your Poodle tricks. Have her pick up dirty laundry and put in it a basket. She can do the same with her toys when company's coming. All three sizes are friendly and greet invited guests with a wagging tail. That doesn't mean that they won't sound the alarm if a stranger's at the door, and Standards can be effective guard dogs. Poodles shouldn't be shy or fearful of new people or events.

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

Your Poodle needs to be clipped on a regular schedule — whether you do the clipping yourself or pay a professional. Any clips other than the required show-ring clips are pet clips. Most pet Poodles are kept in fairly simple, easily maintained clips. When deciding on a clip for your Poodle, go with your preferences, but remember that the longer the coat is, the more brushing and combing you'll need to do. Consider following types of pet clips that may fit your vision for your Poodle's coat. The kennel clip. The kennel clip is the shortest clip and the easiest to do and maintain. It's ideal for Poodles who hike in the woods, play on the beach, or go swimming. The Poodle's face, feet, and tail are shaved; she also has a scissored topknot and a tail pompon. The body and legs are the same length and quite short, usually under 1/2 inch long. The ears may be full, shortened, or completely clipped. The sporting clip. The sporting clip is similar to the kennel clip, but the legs are longer than the body and scissored to blend into the body. The body is often as much as one inch long, with the leg length in proportion to the body length. The lamb trim. The lamb trim is a longer version of the sporting clip, with the body and legs as long as you wish, often as long as two or three inches. The puppy clip. In the puppy clip, the Poodle's face, feet, and tail are shaved, with a pompon left on the tail and the rest of the coat left long. The hindquarters, chest, and legs are shaped with scissors to blend in with the longer hair on the rest of the body. These areas should blend smoothly into the body and show no abrupt change in length. If the body hair is shortened, it isn't a true puppy clip. Show Poodles may be, and usually are, kept in a puppy clip until they are a year old. Pet Poodles are usually clipped into a shorter pet clip when the long hair becomes more work to keep brushed. The modified puppy clip. The modified puppy clip is similar to the true puppy clip, but the topknot is shaped and the entire body is shortened with scissors. The teddy bear clip. Strictly speaking, the teddy bear clip isn't a clip because clippers aren't used; the entire body is shortened and shaped with scissors. The body, legs, and tail are usually a couple of inches long, with no changes in lengths on different parts of the body. The topknot is shortened and rounded, but not in a cap as in other clips. The face, feet, and tail are scissored to blend with the body, not shaved. This trim can be very cute, especially on smaller Poodles, but it's high maintenance and needs frequent brushing. You'll need to check your Poodle twice a day to be sure that the rear is clean and to wipe her face with a damp cloth and dry it to keep it clear of food and dampness.

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

The best way to find the right kennel for your dog is to visit the boarding kennels in your area before you need one. The day you drop off your dog is not the time to discover dirty conditions or broken fences. A reputable kennel operator will welcome your visit. If you aren't allowed to inspect the kennel, don't board there. All the fences and gates should be in good repair, with no jagged bits of wire or metal sticking out and no holes. The pens also should be clean. You may smell a doggy odor in the kennel, but it shouldn't smell like urine or feces. Each dog should have fresh water in clean buckets or bowls, and you should see no dirty food dishes. If you live in a large urban area, your city may have kennels with individual rooms for the dogs, innerspring mattresses, and piped-in music. These amenities, of course, cost much more than the traditional kennel with cement-floored dog runs, but your dog will love them! Here are a few important considerations as you select a kennel: Many kennels have large play areas for groups of dogs. Ask prospective kennels how they determine if the dogs are friendly and how they supervise the areas. If you don't want your dog to play with others, tell the operator before you leave your dog. If your dog is on medication, ask if the kennels are willing to treat your pet. Some kennels charge extra for this service. Find out what shots the kennels require. Most kennels require proof of rabies vaccination, as well as distemper, parvovirus, and bordetella (or "kennel cough" — an airborne virus that can travel rapidly through a kennel). If you don't vaccinate yearly but use a titer test (a blood test that shows the level of protection against a specific disease), ask if this report is acceptable. Most kennel operators ask for the name and number of your veterinarian. If they don't ask, make sure you give it to them. Find out how they treat medical emergencies and if they have veterinarians they use, should yours be unavailable. If the veterinarian of the kennel you choose is closer than yours, you may want to give permission to use its veterinarian if time is a factor. Find out if the kennel has some kind of grooming facility. The kennel may be able to give your dog a bath before you pick her up. It's also convenient to have the kennel take care of small tasks like nail clipping if you feel comfortable with this. After you select a kennel, it's time to reserve a spot for your dog. The best time to make kennel reservations depends on the time of year you plan to board. Many kennels are booked for Christmas by mid-November. Summer is always busy, and reservations will require a call three to four weeks ahead. But if you're boarding your dog in February, the day before is probably time enough.

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

All Poodles should be lively, friendly dogs who get along well with other dogs and with people — and every dog has his own unique personality. The following list presents the different personality traits that the different Poodle varieties may exhibit. Remember that you're dealing with a living creature, so there are no hard and fast rules: Standard Poodles are a bit more reserved and self-contained than Minis and Toys, and they appreciate having jobs to do. Yes, they enjoy work! They also may be a bit calmer, but that's not to say that Standards are mellow and laid-back; they have tons of energy and enough bounce for any family. A Miniature Poodle wants to be active all the time, whether that activity involves playing with a ball, taking a walk, chasing a Frisbee, or going for a swim. Because Minis are small but still sturdier than Toys, they often are an excellent choice for families that have children but aren't able to meet the space and exercise needs of a Standard. A Toy Poodle is happy to cuddle, though he's active when he needs to be. Many professional breeders and handlers consider the Toy to be a natural in the show ring, with personality plus to charm judges. All Poodles, no matter the size or type, have a sense of humor. They like to have fun, and they want to make you laugh!

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

Many people look at Poodles and think "froufrou," when in reality the Poodle was bred as a working farm dog. To understand more of the Poodle's background, here's a history of the beginnings of the breed. All dogs are descended from the wolf, which may explain why they howl at sirens and the like. The original dog was domesticated between 13,000 and 17,000 years ago. From those early beginnings, man has created over 300 breeds, from tiny Chihuahuas and Yorkshire Terriers to giant Great Danes, Irish Wolfhounds, and shaggy Newfoundlands. Each breed was developed with a specific purpose in mind, from sitting in a person's lap and being a companion, to guarding livestock and property, to retrieving fallen game. As time went by, people began expecting dogs to be able to do more than their primary tasks, because it's easier and cheaper to have one dog do many jobs than to have a separate dog for each task. The Poodle, for example, was bred to hunt and retrieve game and to have an instinct to herd livestock. Just when and where the Poodle emerged as a separate breed is hard to say. Romans carved Poodle-like dogs on tombs as early as 30 AD, and they were pictured on Greek and Roman coins, but experts don't know if those dogs died out or if they further evolved into the modern Poodle. Poodles are sometimes called "French Poodles," but the breed is generally considered German even though its actual country of origin is unclear. Dogs from Russia and France contributed to the modern Poodle, and one theory states that the Poodle's ancestors came from Portugal or Spain.

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

Giving your Poodle a bite of your bologna and white bread sandwich isn't the best food choice, but the occasional splurge won't hurt. Rich sauces and gravies, however, although not poisonous, can upset your Poodle's tummy. And certain foods can seriously affect your Poodle's health. Here's a list of healthy treats you can give your Poodle, as well as foods you should avoid. Healthy goodies Don't overdo treats, but if you want to add a little something tasty to your Poodle's food bowl, opt for one of these healthy choices: Apples Canned pumpkin Carrots Cooked broccoli Cooked eggs Cooked green beans Cooked sweet potatoes Cottage cheese Plain yogurt, especially with live cultures Small amounts of cheese Small bits of lean chicken or turkey Strawberries and blueberries Hazardous foods Some foods can cause more problems for your Poodle than just an upset tummy. Avoid the following hazardous foods: Alcohol Chocolate Coffee and tea Egg whites (raw) Grapes and raisins Macadamia nuts Nicotine Onions Xylitol