Poodle pros and cons
Standard Poodle Pros and Cons
Standard Poodles are the largest of the three Poodle types. There are cons and pros associated with Standard Poodles. Standard Poodles are highly intelligent and easily trainable. The combination of these positive qualities is the reason why Standard Poodles can be housetrained in a very short time in comparison to other breeds. Standard Poodles are perceptive to owner's mood, which is another advantage to owning this glamorous breed. Some of the challenges of owning a Standard Poodle include the dog's high level of energy. Potential owners need to be ready to spend at least an hour each day on walking and exercising a Standard Poodle. Standard Poodles are not recommended for living in an apartment. This active dog breed does best in a house with a fenced yard, where the dog can get some playtime and exercise. Standard Poodles are also very high maintenance when it comes to grooming. Poodles of all sizes need to be brushed daily and keeping the coat neat and attractive involves frequent trips to the groomer (unless the owner of this breed decides to do all the grooming at home, which is also an opiton). Professional grooming appointments can be expensive, which is another con associated with owning a Standard Poodle.
Toy Poodle Pros and Cons
Toy Poodles are the smallest in size when compared to the other two Poodle types. Advantages to owning a Toy Poodle include the dog's convenient size. Toy Poodles are easily transportable, which is another plus. A Toy Poodle can adjust to living in a large house or to living in an apartment, provided that the dog gets enough exercise every day. Toy Poodles are active and like all Poodle types they require mental and physical stimulation during the day to stay happy and healthy. Some of the cons associated with Toy Poodles include the maximum grooming needs. The ever-growing coat needs to be brushed daily and trimmed once a month or so. Toy Poodles may be too fragile for households with toddlers and young children. The small size makes Toy Poodles vulnerable and this Poodle type is more appropriate for adults of all ages and for families with older, sensible kids.
Miniature Poodle Pros and Cons
Miniature Poodles are smaller than Standard Poodles, but larger than Toy Poodles in size. Some of the pros of Mini Poodles include the fact that this smart dog is not too big for living in the city and can adjust to living in an apartment as long as the dog gets plenty of exercise and gets to spend a lot of time with the owner during the day. Miniature Poodles respond well to training and quickly learn new things. Like all Poodle types, Miniature Poodles are smart and very trainable.
Poodle sizes
Poodle size chart for Toy, Miniature and Standard Poodles.
Toy Poodle Size
Toy Poodle Height: up to 10 inches (25 cm)
Toy Poodle Weight: 6 - 9 pounds (3 to 4 kg)
Miniature Poodle Size
Miniature Poodle Height: 11 - 15 inches (28 - 38 cm)
Miniature Poodle Weight: 15 - 17 pounds (7 to 8 kg)
Standard Poodle Size
Standard Poodle Height: over 15 inches (38 cm)
Standard Poodle Weight: 45 - 70 pounds (20 to 32 kg)
Purebred Poodles are categorized into three types, including Standard Poodle, Miniature Poodle, and the smallest Toy Poodle. Standard Poodle type is considered to be the oldest breed of the three. Standard (Grande) Poodles are over 15 inches (38 cm) tall. Miniature (Dwarf) Poodles are 10 in to 15 in (25.4 to 38 cm) tall. Toy Poodles are under 10 in (25.4 cm) tall. All Poodle groups have been bred with several distinctive traits including the fur despite the size differences.
Poodle coat: curly texture, dense throughout. Poodle's coat is similar in structure to human hair and there's almost no shedding. Poodle is considered to be a hypoallergenic dog breed and people with pet allergies may want to consider this low shedding breed that doesn't produce much pet dander. If you suffer from pet allergies, always spend some time with the dog to verify that the dog's coat, saliva or dander does not aggravate your allergies before you commit to getting this specific dog breed. There are many different Poodle cuts that you can try on your Poodle. Scroll down to see images of Poodle cuts.
Poodle colors: black, white, brown, silver and peach
How long do Poodles live?
Poodles life span: 11 to 13 years
How much does a Poodle cost?
Standard poodle price starts at $800 and up depending on many factors
Poodle temperament
A member of the AKC non sporting group, poodles are outgoing and friendly dogs who love to run and be active. Poodles require daily exercise and mental stimulation to develop their famous even temperaments. The key characteristic of a Poodle is the breed's impressive intelligence. Poodles are extremely energetic, clever and love lots of attention. When the dog is not getting enough attention, the Poodle may bark to highlight his presence. Poodles are quick to learn new things and respond well to training. Many Poodle owners report that the breed makes a great guard dog. Poodles may show aggression towards non-family members or other dogs and they need to be socialized from an early age. When properly socialized and introduced at a young age, Poodles get along with other pets. A Poodle who is used to being the only pet in a household may need training and some time to accept a newcomer.
Are Poodles good with kids? Poodles make a wonderful family dog suitable for either families with kids or for single people. For families with very young kids who are still learning how to handle a dog, standard and miniature poodles are more appropriate as they aren't as fragile as a toy poodle. Toy (micro) poodle is the smallest and most delicate Poodle type could accidentally get hurt when playing with young children and is more suitable for families with older children. As with every breed, you should always teach kids how to approach and touch a dog. Supervise very young children around the dog to prevent any ear or tail pulling. Teach your child never to approach a dog when the dog is eating or sleeping or to take a dog's food away. No dog no matter how friendly should be left unsupervised with a child. A Poodle tends to pick one family member as his favorite.
The sociable and adaptable poodle temperament makes this pet a great friend and companion. Poodles are used as social therapy dogs and service dogs and capable of serving as a seeing-eye dog for the blind. The breed has succeeded in every organized canine activity. These clever dogs require a lot of exercise, both mental and physical. The biggest mistake a Poodle owner can make is thinking that these dogs naturally know how to behave properly. A bored Poodle can get into a lot of trouble! Poodle grooming can be overwhelming for some people. Be prepared to spend a lot of time grooming and caring for your dog's coat to keep it neat and healthy. Many Poodle breeders recommend Poodles to people that suffer from pet allergies. Poodles are considered to be a hypoallergenic dog breed because their coat produces much less dander than most other breeds. Poodles are popular among dog owners with pet dander allergies because they produce much less dander than other breeds. Poodle purebred mixes are especially popular because Poodles are intelligent and don't shed. One such designer dog is the Labradoodle. That's a Labrador Retriever and Poodle mix. Labradoodles get along well with children and other dogs.
Poodle's life span
Poodle life expectancy is from eleven to thirteen years depending on the care and overall health of the dog. With the right care, a Poodle can live up to sixteen years of age or even longer. As your Poodle is reaching his golden years, he may start gaining extra weight as his digestive system is not as efficient as when he was a younger dog. If your dog is getting enough exercise and still gaining weight, it may be a sign that it is time to switch to a high quality dog food for senior dogs. This dog food is formulated to meet the nutrition needs of an older dog.
Poodle colors
Unlike the fur coat that most dogs have, poodles have a hair coat that comes in a rainbow of colors that include black, white, brown, silver and peach. Poodle's hair continues to grow whereas fur coat of other dogs sheds once it reaches certain length. Poodles can be considered by people who have allergies, but be sure to spend some time with the dog before getting one to verify that the breed doesn't make your allergies worse. Most common coat colors include black, white, silver, red, grey, sable, blue, cream and brown.
Poodle shedding
Do Poodles shed? Poodle's hair doesn't shed like many other breeds. Poodle's hair is very similar to human hair and it grows continuously. Poodles loose an occasional hair every day and if it is not removed by brushing, tangles or mats may appear on his fluffy coat. Brush your Poodle's coat every day to prevent tangles. Keep in mind that a Poodle is a high maintenance dog when it comes to grooming. Grooming your poodle can be rather expensive and time consuming. Coat grooming is required once every six to eight weeks. You can either learn how to give your Poodle a haircut or take the dog to a professional groomer, who has experience in grooming this breed.
Poodle training
Poodles are among the easiest breeds to train. This highly intelligent dog breed takes the second place among the most intelligent dog breeds. Training your poodle the basic commands is necessary from the early age, otherwise the poodle may assume that he is the alpha dog in the family and may be difficult to control. A young poodle puppy is very observant and quickly learns which behavior is rewarded by the owner and which behavior is considered as negative. Stay consistent with your poodle and you will be amazed at the dog's intellectual capabilities. Training your dog will also keep his mind active and stimulated. Poodles are very athletic and enjoy a variety of dog games including frisbee. Poodles love to swim and to retrieve items from the water.
Potty training a Poodle is easier than with many other breeds. Poodles respond well to training in general. Pay attention to the dog's behavior and if you notice that the dog is sniffing the floor and walking in circles - these are the signs that the dog is ready to be taken outside to the designated dog toilet area. As soon as the Poodle is done with his business, have a treat ready and reward his good behavior. You may also choose to train your dog to understand a command word for potty training. For example, "Go Potty!" command can be used when the dog is relieving himelf. Repeat the command once when the dog is ready to use his toilet and reward him with a small treat as soon as he is done. Keep on using the same command for potty every time and the dog will soon start to associate the command with doing his business. Your life will be much easier once the dog is fully housetrained. It is also possible to train your Poodle to use an indoor dog potty, so that you will not have to worry about taking the dog outside every time he needs to do his business.
When you are selecting a Poodle puppy, be sure to select a reputable breeder who not only concentrates on the look of the dog but also on the temperament and health. You may also consider a rescue center. Many wonderful poodles end up at a rescue center due to no fault of their own. In some cases the owner may need to relocate to a different city and can't take the dog for some reason. Another reason could be that the owner died and the relatives are unable to care for the dog. There can be so many different reasons why dogs end up at a rescue center and you can always find out at the rescue center if any information is available about the reasons why the dog ended up there. In any case, the poodle that you either buy from a breeder or adopt from a rescue center will enrich your life in so many wonderful ways.
Crates for Poodles
Poodles come in three sizes and correct crate size is important. How to select the right crate size for a Poodle? An appropriate crate size for a Poodle is when the dog can comfortably sit, stand and turn around in a crate. A Poodle also needs to be able to lay down and stretch out in a comfortable way without being constricted by the size of the crate. Be careful not to get a crate that is too large as in a crate that is too big, a Poodle is more likely to use the extra space as his toilet area. For example, a Toy Poodle should not be put in a crate that is meant for a much bigger in size Standard Poodle. If you have a crate that is too large for your pet, use a crate separator to leave just enough space for the dog to be able to comfortably stretch out and sleep.
Poodle clothes
During cold months have your Poodle wear comfortable dog clothes to keep him from getting too cold outdoors. A dog winter coat will keep a Poodle warm and dry during walks.
After walking a Poodle, wipe his feet off with a wet towel to remove any ice melting chemicals that may burn the dog's feet.
Poodle health issues
Poodle is a healthy breed, but owners need to be aware of eye problems such as cataract that this breed is susceptible to. As the dog is getting older it is important to pay special attention to its vision and take the dog to the veterinarian in case you are noticing any changes with its vision. Feeding your poodle with a high quality dog food will help to slow down the development of cataract. Take care of your poodle's teeth by regular brushing and by providing your dog with chewable dog brushes that help to keep the dog's teeth clean. Once again, appropriate diet plays an important role in maintaining your dog's health. Bloat, which is a blockage in the intestine that can be fatal is another medical issue that is prevalent among poodles. To help prevent bloat, use slow feeding bowls for dogs and feed Poodle twice a day rather than only once. When the Poodle is fed twice a day, he is less likely to swallow a lot of air along wtih his food because he is not too hungry and will generally eat slower than a dog that is fed only once a day.
Feed your Poodle with a high quality age-appropriate dog food. There are many dog food options and some are even breed specific.
Good nutrition helps to support the dog's overall health. Keep your poodle in healthy weight to avoid many health issues associated with extra weight. If you are feeding your dog high-quality kibbles dry dog food, be sure to select the dry food for small sized dog breeds for Toy Poodle and Dwarf Poodle. Dry dog food for small breeds is intended for dogs with smaller mouths and is easier for your small dog to chew.
Poodle origins
Most specialists believe that the breed originated in Germany but developed into a distinct breed in France. Poodles were used as retrievers by hunters. They are excellent swimmers and in France they were employed as water retrievers.
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All Poodle Mixes
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Poodle and Maltese mix
Poodle and Shih Tzu mix
Poodle and Bichon Frise Mix
Poodle and Golden Retriever mix
Poodle and Cocker Spaniel mix
Maltipoo vs Maltese
Peekingese and Poodle mix
Poodle and Airedale Terrier mix
Poodle Aussie Mix
Poodle Bernese Mountain Dog mix
Poodle Border Collie mix
Poodle Boxer Mix
Poodle and Yorkie mix
Poodle and Corgi mix
Poodle and Dachshund mix
Poodle Weimaraner mix
Poodle and West Highland White Terrier mix
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