The Poodle was first recognised in the 1500s. It has been through many changes and alterations over time, but it remains one of the most popular breeds today.
The Poodle dog breed has a fascinating history. The original name of the breed was either “Pudelhund” or “Canis Bagarius”, and it is believed that they were developed in ancient Rome from some form of water-spaniel origin.
Poodles are one of the few dog breeds that are recognised as non-shedding, which means that they do not shed hair like most other dogs. Their fur can be kept trimmed to a length of less than half an inch for easy maintenance. They are also hypoallergenic.
This makes them very popular in households with people who have allergies or sensitive skin conditions because it reduces the amount of dander in the air around them.
Other benefits include ease when grooming, resistance against cold water due to dense coats, more stamina during exercise settings (vs short-coated breeds), better tolerance for heat due to improved blood circulation from reduced body fat buildup vs other shorthaired types; higher intelligence quotient levels on average; increased popularity over time despite initial criticisms.
Contents
Poodle Quick Facts
- The poodle dog breed is known for its intelligence and high level of trainability
- Poodles are good at adapting to new environments, making them a great choice for families with busy lifestyles
- Poodles have been around since the 16th century and were originally bred as water dogs
- Today, they are used as service animals, show dogs, hunting dogs, and more
- They can be found in three sizes – toy (under 10 pounds), standard (10-15 pounds), and miniature (under 6 pounds)
- As puppies, they need plenty of exercise to keep them happy! But because of their small size, it’s best not to leave them outside unattended or let them run off-leash too much where there is traffic or other dangers
Characteristics and personality of Poodles
The poodle is a toy dog breed that comes in three sizes: standard, miniature and toy. The most common type of poodle, the Standard Poodle, stands about 18 inches at the shoulder and weighs around 30 pounds.
They are recognised by their curly coat, which they can have one colour or two colours such as black with white markings called harlequin or brown with white markings called brindle. They are also known by their curly tail that is carried in a circle over the back. This can be straightened when they are happy, although some poodles don’t have tails at all.
There are two types of poodle coats: curly (the most common) and corded. The curly coat tends to be thicker than the corded coats, which are thinner in texture due to being made from shorter hairs.
Poodles are considered very intelligent; they can also be easily trained with positive reinforcement methods such as treats or rewards for good behaviour. They make an excellent pet for people who live in apartments as they do not need a yard and can get their exercise by going on walks.
Poodle Health Overview
Poodles have been shown to be at higher risk for developing glaucoma than other dogs; approximately 25 per cent will develop it by five years old. They should also receive regular eye exams from their veterinarian if they live longer than six months. Poodles can suffer from epilepsy as well.
The most common health problem in poodles is hypothyroidism. Symptoms include a loss of hair, weight gain, and dry skin with an excessive need to urinate. Other issues can be seen as well, including seizures, cancerous tumours, deafness or blindness caused by lesions on the nerves leading from the eyes to the brainstem area (optic nerve), which results in blindness if not treated early enough.
Poodle breeders find it challenging to produce puppies who do not have some form of hereditary disease because they are bred so often for appearance rather than genetic diversity.
This can leave them vulnerable to certain diseases and disorders that may otherwise be avoided through careful breeding practices, such as avoiding close relatives mating together. It’s essential to understand and be aware of the risks to ensure that you can provide your poodle with a healthy environment.
The health problems found in Poodles are not limited to one group; these dogs can carry several inherited diseases which can affect their quality of life or even shorten it by years. For this reason, going through reputable breeders is crucial when considering purchasing a new pet.
If buying a Poodle, make sure they have pedigrees on file for both parents and have been examined and cleared for any signs of disease before breeding.
Two specific diseases associated with Poodles are Cushing’s and Addison disease.
Cushing’s Disease
Cushing’s disease occurs when there is excessive production of the hormone ACTH from the pituitary gland, or severe damage has occurred at the level of distal adrenals and results in insulin resistance and high blood pressure after eating glucose which contributes to ageing within 15 years.
Addison’s Disease
Addison’s Disease is an endocrine disorder so the function of their adrenal glands, which produce hormones such as cortisol and sex hormones, decreases significantly.
This results in the affected animal having insufficient levels of glucose (sugar) and potassium within their bloodstream. More than anything else though this disease can really bring down a dog’s immune system which makes them susceptible to many other infections.
There are several different treatments you can try for Addison’s with your vet before resorting to cortisone therapy because this drug reduces the rate at which they produce natural cortisol, and must not be used for long periods of time or without medical supervision.
Poodle Types
There are two main types of Poodles: Standard and Miniature.
The long-standing “standard” poodle dog breeds are the Standard Poodle (aka show) type and Miniature Poodles types (aka toy).
In general, there’s no difference in health effects between the two – they’re just different sizes because breeders bred them for that trait.
Normal grooming includes brushing their coat with a metal brush every week to help prevent matting; trimming nails regularly; bathing when necessary but not too frequently as this can strip essential oils from the skin, causing dryness or dermatitis. Regular exercise is also recommended to keep your pet healthy. These dogs do tend to have some respiratory problems.
Poodle: Dietary Requirements
Poodles are often fed organic foods, such as chicken breast or vegetables.
High-quality dry food is essential for poodle health and longevity; one should always speak with a veterinarian or animal nutritionist before making any changes in diet.
Particular attention should be paid to adequate protein intake for your poodle’s maintaining of muscle mass and avoid over supplementing on carbohydrates as many pet owners make this mistake that can lead to obesity and other serious health consequences. I recommend feeding your poodle a high-quality, low-carbohydrate wet food at least once per day (easiest on their stomach).
Poodle longevity is thought to be influenced by hereditary factors but can also be influenced by diet and lifestyle choices.
Several studies show that low-protein diets (or low protein content in the diet) can reduce healthy life expectancy for all breeds.
For example, a study found that feeding laboratory Beagles a diet restricted to the equivalent of 10% casein led to a 30% reduction in lifespan. Similarly, feeding animals food supplying 3g or 6g of protein per kilogram resulted in significant decreases in lifespan compared with those consuming 11g/ kg. Needless to course, these changes were accompanied by severe health problems – including kidney disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Are Poodles good with children?
Answer: Poodles are great with children if they are socialised very early in life, and the family has time to spend a lot of time training, playing, walking and brushing them. Poodles can also be better for larger families because the dog will enjoy interacting with and befriending other members of the family.
Question: How long do Poodles live?
Answer: On average, poodles have a lifespan of 12-15 years.
Poodles are notorious for living longer than most dog breeds because their athletic body types allow them to avoid some of the health risks associated with lifestyles that are more sedentary. That said, you’ll want to watch out for two major concerns as your pet ages: Cushing’s Disease and Addison’s Disease.
Question: Do Poodles play fetch?
Answer: Some breeds are bred for retrieving, and the poodle is one of them. Poodles, in general, like to be active, and this includes playing fetch. However, not all poodles have a strong desire to play ball, so if your pup doesn’t want to play fetch, then it doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with him.
Sometimes motivation can be built by teaching them as a puppy how good they’ll feel when they eventually do get that tennis ball out of someplace hard-to-reach. It’s also worth remembering that people who want dogs as pets are usually just looking for a companion or protector rather than wanting an athlete (which excludes the majority of sporting dogs).
Question: How many types of poodles are there?
Answer: Most guides will say three, but arguable there are four different varieties of poodle: Standard Poodle which is 60-120 pounds; Miniature Poodle which is 15-20 pounds; Toy or Teacup Poodles weighing under 7 pounds; and Nonstandard or Fuzzy type poodles, which all look different because it’s a mixed breed dog.
Top Dog
Editor and Co-Founder of Collar & Harness. There's little he doesn't know about dogs. TopDog loves agility but is far too unfit to keep up. Offers advice and articles on dog harnesses, collars, travel, food and temperament. Has featured articles in Huffington Post, The Guardian, BuzzFeed and others. Is woeful at speaking foreign languages.