Okay, let’s face it, not everyone is cut out to own a Poodle. This could be for a variety of reasons; however, for those who don’t think it’s “manly” to own one, we’ve got a surprise for you in that the Standard Poodle version of this breed was developed to be a water retrieving dog for those who love hunting waterfowl!
And while…
One can decide how “manly” it is to hunt animals for sport; few will argue that there is a stereotype out there that assumes that all “men who hunt” are mainly. So, why not extend this stereotype to the Poodle? And give this dog another look? Because once you do, you’ll find the Poodle is an amiable dog breed. Smart, surprisingly intelligent, and funny too. He is a perfect family pet or companion dog.
You’re also going to…
These guys typically have a very sunny disposition and are always cheerful and warm-hearted. They’re also usually straightforward to train and excellent to have around. But Poodles also have a reputation for being high-maintenance pets, which explains why we have all of these jokes made about them.
But really, these are loving, affectionate family dogs. They are attached to their owners and stay loyal to you until the end. They are also easy to housetrain. They are good with kids, other dogs, and even with cats. They are friendly with strangers as well.
Different Types of Poodles
There are different types of Poodles, such as Standard Poodles, Miniature, and Toy Poodles. Toy and Miniature Poodles are small, while Standard Poodles are much more significant. More about the physical characteristics of Poodles later.
Is the Poodle the One for You?
Maybe, he is. Could you make sure to get your Poodle puppies only from the most reputable breeders? Never trust those who run puppy mills. Good breeders run an ethical breeding program and can be trusted implicitly. You know they are not going to cheat you!
You can read the rest of this article to learn more about the Poodle before bringing one home.
Poodle Fast Facts
Country of Origin: Germany
Height: Standard Poodle: Over 15 inches tall; Miniature Poodle over 10 inches but under 15 inches tall; Toy Poodle: About 10 inches or under
Weight: Standard Poodle: 40 to 55 pounds; Miniature Poodle: 12 to 15 pounds; Toy Poodle: 5 to 10 pounds
Dog Breed Classification: Non-Sporting group/Toy Group
Life Span: 14 to 18 years
Poodles’ History and Origin
The Poodle is one of the oldest dog breeds around. This breed originated in Germany but was developed further in France. The Poodle was created as a Water Dog or Water Retriever. It is generally believed that the Poodle was developed from crossing many types of water dogs from Spain, Portugal, Germany, Hungary, France, and Russia.
This is, however…
Another theory is that the Poodle descended from herding dogs from Asia that traveled with the German Goth tribes. And while we’re “theorizing” about the true origins of this dog breed, we should also mention that it is also possible that the North African Barbet, a famous hunting dog, was one of its ancestors.
To complicate…
Even further, many Egyptian artifacts from over 5,000 years ago show dogs that look like the Standard Poodle of today. This certainly makes determining where the “Standard” Poodle originated from quite a bit more complicated. But the truth is that whenever you have a dog breed that has been around for 100’s, if not 1000’s years which is as popular and well-loved as the Poodle, you’re bound to get many competing theories from a variety of different counties all wanting to be able to claim some credit for its development.
This is why…
We here at IndulgeYourPet want to point out several competing theories and let you decide which one you like the most. What is known for sure is that the Miniature and Toy Poodles were developed after the Standard Poodle. They were toy dogs or show dogs bred to entertain the ladies of the Parisian nobility. And that the Poodle made its way to the United States in the late 19th century. Before that, it was already famous in the UK. The Kennel Club of England registered its first Poodle in 1874.
The American Kennel Club…
She recognized the Poodle shortly after, in 1886. The Poodle quickly became a popular breed of dog in America, a massive hit with ladies and children in particular. The Poodle Club of America was formed in 1896, disbanded a few years later, and reopened in 1931.
But…
Only after the 1950s did the Poodle become popular in America. The Poodle was America’s #1 dog breed through the 1960s and 1970s. He remains, even today, one of the most talked about dog breeds.
Physical Characteristics
The Poodle comes in three different sizes: Standard Poodle: 15 inches tall; Miniature, 10 inches to 15 inches tall; Toy Poodle: 10 inches tall. All Poodles have the same body structure: A square outline, long neck, and straight back. Poodles are well known for their long legs and long, narrow muzzle, and dropped ears. They are an active breed and move with a sprightly gait.
Coat
Poodles have a distinctive curly coat of many colors, such as white, gray, blue, black, silver, apricot, cream, brown, or café-au-lait. The good thing about the Poodle is that it doesn’t shed much, and its coat is hypoallergenic, meaning allergy sufferers don’t have to worry about it.
Grooming
Grooming a Poodle has always been a challenge. As said earlier, this is a high-maintenance breed and requires grooming every 3 to 6 weeks. Of course, for many dog owners, this is one of the pleasures of having a Poodle at home – it’s just like caring for a child!
Personality and Temperament
The Poodle is always protective of his family. He may not make for an excellent watchdog or guard dog, but he will surely give you a warning bark if a stranger approaches the house. We should also mention that he is very affectionate towards his family members. He dotes on kids in particular and follows them around everywhere they go. He is good with strangers, friendly but reserved at the same time.
One thing about…
The Poodle that constantly surprises you is his fantastic intelligence and excellent memory. There is no question that this is an intelligent dog, clever and sensitive, and a fast learner too. There is no trick that a Poodle puppy cannot learn.
Potential Health Concerns
Poodles are a healthy breed; they have a life expectancy of 14 to 18 years, which is very high for dogs. The famous Great Dane, in comparison, only lives for seven years. But even the Poodle is known to get sick and, in some cases, suffer from any one of the following conditions:
- Addison’s Disease,
- Legg-Perthes Disease,
- Optic Nerve Hypoplasia,
- Sebaceous Adenitis (SA),
- Patellar Luxation,
- Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus,
- Cushing’s Disease (Hyperadrenocorticism),
- Epilepsy,
- Hip Dysplasia,
- Hypothyroidism,
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA),
- Von Willebrand’s Disease.
And while many of these conditions may not be life-threatening, they can become quite expensive, particularly if they become recurring issues. This is why we here at IndulgeYourPet also recommend that any new pet owner take a moment and see what it might cost for you to purchase a pet insurance policy for your new animal.
Now will a pet insurance policy be suitable for everyone?
No, probably not. But until you fully understand what these policies “will” and “won’t” cover and how much these pet insurance policies cost, how will you know if one might be right for you?
For more information on who we feel currently offers the “best” pet insurance policies out there, we would encourage you to check out our Best Pet Insurance Policies article.
