Your poodle is just another little person in the family
When you think of having a dog as a loving pet and best friend, have you ever thought of a poodle? Poodles have much more than just great looks. They are smart, loving, great with children, and very devoted. Poodles are extremely people-oriented. In fact, they don’t do well without human company. Poodles are also friendly with other dogs and non-canine pets. They are very loving and loyal and will defend their home and people with their lives when threatened.
Poodles are non-shedding dogs and are considered hypoallergenic, so this makes them wonderful dogs for people with allergies. Poodles are adaptable and easy to train. In fact, poodles are among the smartest dogs you can have. As puppies, they do not usually need a lot of exercise although some daily exercise is recommended. Although they adore the water and love to go for a walk, poodles are simply not picky when it comes to exercise.
Poodles are sensitive to the emotions of their owners, they are ready to be your best friend and sit quietly next to you when you are sad or equally ready to play ball when you are happy. Poodles are clowns and they jump up with a toy or dog biscuit in their mouth to greet you or play with you. Most of all, poodles think they are human. They faithfully love their owners and want to be with them.
Many people think that poodles originated in Germany. The name “Poodle” comes from the German word “Pudel”, which is short for “Pudelhund”, which means “splashing dog”. Others are sure that the Poodle is actually descended from a now nearly extinct French Water Dog, the Barbet and possibly the Hungarian Water Dog. These dogs have a very long history. Poodles are depicted in paintings from the 15th century and in bas-reliefs from the 1st century. They were used extensively throughout Europe throughout the centuries to retrieve game animals, (especially in water). Toy poodles became the favorites of royalty, especially in the 18th century.
Poodles come in three recognized sizes, with the standard poodle being the largest, the miniature poodle, and the toy poodle (the smallest). Toy, Miniature, and Standard Poodles are distinguished by the height of the shoulders of an adult. Toy Poodles are 10 inches or less at the highest point of the shoulder and typically weigh less than 12 pounds. Miniature Poodles are over 10 inches tall and up to 15 inches at the highest point of the shoulder. For those who prefer a large dog, standard poodles measure over 15 “at the shoulder, and some go up to 30” at the shoulder. “Standard” (large) poodles typically weigh between 45 and 60 pounds (female) and between 65 and 80 pounds (male). Other designations, such as “royal poodle” on the large end of the spectrum and “small toy” and “Teacup” are not officially recognized sizes, but are used for convenience and descriptive purposes. Among Toy Poodles, most breeders say “Tiny Toy Poodles” weigh 4 to 5 pounds, “Teacup Poodles” weigh 2 to 4 pounds, and regular Toy Poodles weigh 5 to 8 pounds at maturity. .
They are quite healthy dogs. For example, in miniature poodles, the leading cause of death is old age (39%). They have a relatively long shelf life. and live between 12 and more than 15 years. As a general rule of thumb, smaller dogs have a longer lifespan than larger dogs, and consequently a healthy standard poodle can live up to 14 years and smaller varieties longer.
Ear infections are a problem in all Poodle varieties, but ear problems can be minimized with proper ear care and regular grooming. Healthy poodle ears should be cleaned regularly, as should the area around the eyes. Along with ear and eye care, your poodle will need to have his teeth brushed and his nails trimmed. Poodles require dental care as they are generally known to develop serious dental problems as they age.
Poodles come in many colors, including black, white, red, apricot, silver, and brown. Because they don’t get rid of standard poodles, they need to be groomed regularly. We think of poodles in elaborate grooming cuts, and we may see some like this in pictures or shows. But, most pet owners keep their poodles in much simpler cuts that are easier to care for and require less grooming.
You can search for a newborn poodle puppy or an adult. It’s great to rescue an unwanted Poodle from a shelter, as they are generally very good-natured and well-behaved. For some unknown reason, many people seem to want to adopt female poodles. There really is no logical reason for this, as male poodles are just as intelligent, attentive, and well-behaved as females. Most of the poodles that end up in rescue centers are male and are typically over five years old.
Regardless of when or where you get a Poodle, you will find that you are really adding a new member of the family. And someone who considers himself a member of the family, one more person, like everyone else. Poodles are wonderful with children, as they love to play and do a lot of silly things just like children. And adults will love this quality in the Poodle too. Poodles make wonderful family and personal pets that will provide you with many years of constant fun and companionship.