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 actually developed to be a water retrieving dog for those who love hunting water fowl!
And while…
One can make up their own mind about how “manly” it is to hunt animals for sport, few will argue that there is a sterotype out there that assumes that all “men who hunt” are mainly.
So…
Why not extend this sterotype to the Poodle? And give this dog another look? Because once you do, you’re going to find that the Poodle is an incredibly friendly breed of dog. Smart, surprisingly intelligent and funny too. He is a perfect family pet or companion dog.
You’re also going to…
Find that these guys typically have a very sunny disposition, are almost always cheerful and warm-hearted. They’re also usually very easy to train and great to have around.
But…
Poodles also have a reputation of 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 through to the very 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 the Standard Poodles, Miniature and Toy Poodles. Toy and Miniature Poodles are small in size, while Standard Poodles are much larger. More about the physical characteristics of Poodles later.
Is the Poodle the One for You?
Maybe, maybe he is. Just 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!
Read the rest of this article to find out 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 has its origins in Germany, but was developed further in France. The Poodle was developed as a Water Dog or Water Retriever.
In fact…
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 that the Poodle descends from herding dogs from Asia that travelled with the German Goth tribes. And while we’re “theorizing” about the ture 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.
In fact…
There are many Egyptian artifacts from over 5,000 years ago that show dogs that look pretty much like the Standard Poodle of today. Which certainly complicate the matter of determining where in fact the “Standard” Poodle originated from.
Which…
May seem really confusing, however the truth is, whenever you have a dog breed that has been around for 100’s if not 1000’s of 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 it’s development.
This is why…
We here at IndulgeYourPet simply like to point out there there are several competing theories out there and just 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 basically 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 their first Poodle in 1874.
The American Kennel Club…
Recognized the Poodle shortly after, in 1886. The Poodle quickly became a popular breed of dog in America, a huge hit with the ladies and children in particular. The Poodle Club of America was formed in 1896, disbanded a few years later and reopened in 1931.
But…
It was only after the 1950s that the Poodle really became popular in America. In fact, the Poodle was the #1 dog breed in America through the 1960s and 1970s. He remains even today one of the most talked about dog breeds.
Physical Characteristics of the Poodle
The Poodle comes in three different sizes: Standard Poodle: 15 inches tall; Miniature Poodle 10 inches to 15 inches tall; Toy Poodle: 10 inches tall.
All types of Poodles have the same body structure: A square outline, long neck and straight back. Poodles are well known for their long les 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 which can be of many different 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: Which means 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 a lot of dog owners, this is one of the pleasures of having a Poodle at home – it’s just like taking care of a child!
Poodle Personality and Temperament
The Poodle is always protective of his family. He may not make for a great watchdog or guard dog, but he will be sure to give you a warning bark if a stranger approaches the house.
We should also mention…
That he is very affectionate towards all members of his family. 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 always surprises you is his amazing 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.
Poodle Health Problems
Poodles are a healthy breed; they have a life expectancy of 14 to 18 years, which is very, very high for dogs. The famous Great Dane, in comparison, only lives for 7 years.
But even the Poodle is known to get sick, which is why you should consider Pet Insurance for Poodles.
Poodles are known to suffer from the following diseases:
- Addison’s Disease,
- Legg-Perthes Disease,
- Optic Nerve Hypoplasia,
- Sebaceous Adenitis (SA),
- Patellar Luxation,
- Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus,
- Cushings 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 certainly become quite expensive to deal with 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 right 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.
