Poodles are a wonderful human companion dog. Poodle owners look upon this breed as being something very special and rarely change their allegiance to any other breed of dog. In fact, the numerous desirable qualities of the poodle has seen them become one of the most popular of all pure bred dogs worldwide.
Poodles are an extremely versatile breed who will adapt well to most household situations. Apart from being recognized as one of the most intelligent dog breeds they are also good natured, have a beautiful even temperament and thrive on human companionship. Plus they have that lovely distinctive appearance - Poodles stand out in any crowd!
When given proper puppy socialization and Poodle puppy training they are a magnificent addition to any dog loving household. The Standard Poodle is one of the oldest pure bred dogs. They were fully developed around the 16th century, most probably in Central Europe (it's not completely clear). In the early days Poodles were highly sought after for their outstanding hunting ability. They would retrieve birds from the swamps and lakes all day long. To this day you'll find that Poodles still love the water. In the past Poodles have been know as "Water Dogs" "Pudel" and "Caniche".
The popular Toy Poodles and Miniature Poodles came to prominence hundreds of years after the standard was developed.
A well kept Poodle is a magnificent animal to look at. Poodles are an athletic, well balanced dog with a sturdy, muscular build. They feature an attractive proud head which is held high and supported by a long strong neck. They have a lustrous dense coat which comes in many solid colors and is either curly or corded.
There are three different varieties of Poodle. From smallest to largest they are the Toy Poodle, Miniature Poodle and the Standard Poodle. All three varieties share the same desirable characteristics. If you come across ads for a "teacup poodle puppy" or "teacup poodle for sale" this is merely a marketing strategy used by breeders to sell smaller versions of the breed. 10 inches or shorter at the highest point of the shoulders. 15 inches or shorter at the highest point of the shoulders, with a minimum height in excess of 10 inches. 15 inches or taller at the highest point of the shoulders. Poodles do take a little more time and effort to keep in top condition than most other breeds. Poodles need to be brushed every couple of days to keep their coats free from tangles and matting, plus a bath every few weeks is advisable. Depending on the style of clip you prefer, your poodle will need to be clipped every 4-6 weeks. You can do this yourself or through a professional poodle groomer.
Once you and your poodle get into a routine for brushing, bathing and clipping it will actually be a fun experience for your dog. Poodles love to be pampered!
When well bred and properly socialized the Poodle has a reliable, steady temperament. Poodles are much loved for their high intelligence, affectionate loving nature and cheeky mischievous ways. They truly are a breed of dog who bond very strongly with each member of their human family - they are not a "one person dog". Each individual Poodle has their own unique and special personality - that's one of the reasons why we become so attached to them.
Poodles are well suited to families with children. Due to their size the miniature poodle and standard poodle are considered more suitable for living with young children.
Most Poodles make excellent watchdogs. They are ever alert to any disturbance around the home and will sound the alarm (bark!) when the need arises.
Poodles do thrive on human company and are not suited to being left alone and isolated for long periods each day. When you are at home they like nothing more than to be right there with you sitting in front of the TV.
Poodles still retain the keen hunting instincts for which they were originally bred. For this reason they love games at the park such as retrieving a ball, hide and seek and they love to swim at any opportunity.
No poodle should be overly shy, timid or in any way aggressive. Generally speaking Poodles are a sturdy long living dog breed. They commonly live an active 10-15 years.
Purchasing your poodle from a reputable poodle puppy breeder will give you the best chance of bringing a physically and mentally sound dog into your life. A good poodle puppy breeder only breeds from top quality breeding stock (who have been thoroughly screened) and each mating will be carefully planned in advance. Poodle breeders play a crucial role in the health of their chosen breed going forward. They are also responsible for beginning the puppy socialization process in each individual puppy - you will then continue this process as soon as your puppy arrives home.
You can gain more detailed and specific poodle health care advice from your poodle puppy breeder or Veterinarian. Below is a list of potential health problems that you should at least be aware of:
All three Poodle varieties can suffer from: Hip Dysplasia, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), Cataracts, Seizures, Von Willebrand's Disease, Epilepsy, Hypothyroidism, Other Eye Disease, Cushings Disease and Mammory Tumors.
Specific To Toy And Miniature Poodles: Legg Calve Perthes, Patella Sub Luxation, Cryptorchidism, Trichiasis and Urolithiasis.
Standard Poodles: Gastric Torsion, Addison's Disease, Sebaceous Adenitis and Canine Cancers.
Apart from the genetically inherited diseases listed above there are many things you can do to keep your Poodle fit and well. Ensure that you feed a good fresh diet (not too much), provide plenty of exercise, socialization and poodle training. Poodle Puppy Training - Start Early! Poodles are great students - they certainly have the intelligence required for successful training and they back it up with plenty of enthusiasm as well.
Poodle puppies seem to love the physical and mental stimulation that is derived from obedience training. Poodle training provides the perfect outlet in which to channel their boundless energy in a positive and fulfilling manor (the alternative is destructive behaviors). Toy poodle training is also the best way to form and strengthen the close bond you will share with your poodle.
Poodles respond best to positive, reward based training methods built on encouragement, praise, repetition and positive reinforcement. Just provide consistent direction and your poodle will learn in quick time. Always work with your Poodle's natural drives and instincts and keep training sessions short, consistent and fun. There is no place for any harsh punishment or corrections in your poodle training sessions.
Here are a few training issues which are particularly relevant to Poodle owners:
If you are looking to train your poodle puppy, solve common behavior problems in your poodle or teach some obedience, you can find the latest cutting edge techniques here - How To Train A Poodle. Visit Secrets to Dog Training Community - here
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