CountryCanine

About Poodles

Poodle are very active, intelligent and elegant-appearing dog, squarely built, well proportioned, moving soundly and carrying himself proudly. Properly clipped in the traditional fashion and carefully groomed, the Poodle has about him an air of distinction and dignity peculiar to himself.(Taken from the Offical AKC Poodle Breed Standard) Although the poodle has been particularly popular in France since the beginning of the 19th century, its intelligence and adaptability have made it a universal favorite. Poodles have a moderately peaked skull; a long, straight muzzle; dark, oval-shaped eyes; ears that are set low and hang close to the head; a strong neck; a deep chest; straight forelegs and muscular hind legs; and a tail that is carried high. The dog has a woolly undercoat and a topcoat that consists either of wiry, curled hair, or long, silky hair hanging in cords.

The American Kennel Club recognizes that ear cropping, tail docking, and dewclaw removal, as described in certain breed standards, are acceptable practices integral to defining and preserving breed character and/or enhancing good health. Appropriate veterinary care should be provided.

Varieties of Poodles
There are three varieties of the Poodle breed exist: Toy, Miniature, and Standard. Terms such as "Tea Cup Toy," or "Tiny Toy Poodle" are marketing gimmicks, used to promote the sale of Small Toy Poodles. The miniature and toy varieties are used as pets chiefly in urban surroundings.

Toy Poodle:
Toy Poodles are the smallest variety of the Poodle class and should be no larger than 10" high at the shoulder. This size is particularly well-suited to apartment life or as a traveling companion for retired people. Toy Poodles have happy, fun-loving, and spunky personalities but may be reserved around people they don’t know. Efforts should be made by the owners of these dogs to socialize and train them at an early age with an emphasis on refraining from unnecessary barking. These dogs are not well suited for families with small children but these dogs do fine with older children who are careful and considerate with them. They do well with other pets as well.

Miniature Poodle:
The Miniature Poodle is a medium-sized animal standing between 10" and 15" high at the shoulder. This variety is a sturdy compromise between the Toy and the Standard, suitable both to apartment life as well as the hardy lifestyle of a family with children.

Standard Poodle:
The Standard is the largest of the the three varieties, with no restriction on size. Typically Standards will be 21" to 27" high at the shoulder, with the females usually a little smaller than the males. Being a larger, more substantial animal, the Standard will usually require more room for exercise than the other two varieties. The standard variety is used in the country as a water retriever, watchdog, and pet.

Grooming:
The coat of the poodle is generally clipped in one of two principal styles, the Continental or the English saddle. The custom of clipping apparently originated as a means of facilitating swimming. In the Continental style, the hindquarters of the dog are shaved down to the skin, with rosettes of hair usually left on the hips and hocks. In the English saddle style, the hindquarters are clipped to leave a blanket of short hair. In both styles each leg is clipped, leaving only a bracelet of hair near the foot; the face and tail are also clipped, except for a pom-pom of hair at the end. Since their hair continues to grow and typically does not shed it is a good choice of pet for someone with allergies. Traditional clipping styles were designed to reduce the weight of the dogs’ coats for swimming and to protect their joints and major organs. Many owners now prefer to have simple clipping styles that leave the hair in an even length all over the dogs’ bodies.