The Poodle is an intelligent, active dog, with a curly coat and floppy ears.
A long history as a hunting companion means they are seriously smart, and attentive to their owners.
Although kind natured, they are also more solitary than some breeds.
Tending to prefer the company of their lovely little family to passing strangers.
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Poodles are divided into three main types - Toy, Miniature and Standard.
Poodle Size
These three Poodle breeds should be identical in every way other than their size.
But this size does cause some differences, especially when it comes to health problems.
Standard Poodles make up the biggest, and Toy the smallest. Miniature Poodles are in the middle.
You might also see people advertising Teacup Poodles.
This isn’t an official type of Poodle registered by any of the major Kennel Clubs.
They are often rife with potential health problems.
If you want a tiny Poodle, go for the Toy variety, and avoid any mention of Teacup or Micro.
Poodle Colors
Poodles come in a wonderful range of colors and combination of patterns too.
From the stunning parti Poodle to the sleek sable, their coats aren’t just famous for the curls!
Poodle Mixes
In recent years Poodle Mixes , also known as Doodles, have become incredibly popular.
It’s important to note that although many of these mixed breed Poodles make great pets, there is a huge variation in terms of temperament, health and appearance.
Poodle Food and Feeding
Most Miniature and Standard Poodles will do well on any good quality dog food.
But Toy Poodle benefit from a brand that is formulated for a tiny breed.
These tend to have pieces that are easier to pick up and chew.
The articles below will help you to decide which is the right diet for your dog.
Poodle Grooming
Any Poodle fan knows that this is a breed that needs a lot of grooming.
From the day they are born this curly dog has an enviable coat, but also one that can be tough to manage.
Many Poodles simply go to the dog groomer every few weeks to keep their fur tidy. Others have owners that prefer to do it themselves.
Are Poodles Hypoallergenic?
Hypoallergenic is a funny term, and a much misused one
Many dog owners assume that their Poodle, or Poodle mix, will not cause an allergic reaction because they don’t shed.
But Poodles do shed, the fur just mostly gets caught in itself.
This caught up fur then needs to be dealt with by you or a groomer during one of their regular hairdressing sessions!
And although shed fur has an impact on allergy sufferers, it’s not hte hair itself that you are reacting to.
It’s the dander.
And all dogs have dander.
Because of this anyone can potentially have an allergic reaction to any dog, even one that has been labelled as non-shedding or hypoallergenic.
Beware of any breeder of Poodles or mixes that claims that an allergy sufferer won’t react to their dogs at all. Because you just don’t know.
Poodle Health
Poodles are generally healthy dogs, with a good potential lifespan.
But like any pedigree breed, generations of constricting their potential population has led to a few potential issues.
Poodles have some health conditions which can be common to them all:
- PRA
- Cataracts
- von Willebrand’s
There are also some which occur more in a particular type.
Toy Poodles:
- Luxating patella
- Thyroid problems
- Miniature Poodles
- Diabetes
- Mitral valve disease
- Tracheal collapse
Standard Poodles
- Hip dysplasia
- Bloat
- Sebaceous adenitis
When you search for a puppy, make sure that where possible the breeder has had the parents health checked for the relevant potential health problems.
Poodles Make Great Pets
Although it might seem like we’ve listed a lot of potential health problems above, as pedigree breeds go Poodles are pretty healthy.
The inherited diseases they carry are largely able to be tested for, so you can make sure your pup’s parents aren’t passing them on.
And they are structurally very well bred. With balanced leg and body lengths, and a nice long snout.
Provided you carefully vet your potential breeders, and raise your puppy up with love and patience, then Poodles can make brilliant pets.
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