Friendly, energetic and proud!

Poodle

At a Glance

Big and Tall, Joe Average, and Petites

A Regular Gym-Goer

The Life of the Party

Hip and Happening

Famous Owners

Ivana Trump (dog’s name – Choppy)

Author John Steinbeck (dog’s name – Charley)

Entertainer Bob Hope (dogs’ names – Bebe, Baxter, and Ginger)

U.S. President Richard Nixon (dog’s name – Vicky)

Actress Marilyn Monroe (dog’s name – Mafia)

Winston Churchill (dog’s name – Rufus)

Breed History

The Poodle was originally bred as a water dog used to retrieve ducks. The distinctive partially shaved cut often seen on Poodles was developed to aid the dog in its retrieving duties. The shaved areas allowed the dog to be more streamlined and reduced water resistance while the fur was left longer on the joints, chest, and head to keep the dog warm in icy waters. The Standard Poodle was the first variety and was later bred down in size to create the Miniature and Toy varieties. The Poodle is the national dog of France and is therefore sometimes called the “French Poodle.”

Approximately 50 years ago the Poodle was the most popular dog in the world. Unfortunately, this extreme popularity caused indiscriminate breeding to meet demands and resulted in some health and behavioral problems. Today the demand for the breed has lessened and has allowed conscientious breeders to bring the breed back to healthy, calm, and dependable standards.

Poodles Today

The Poodle is available in three size variations: Toy, Miniature, and Standard. Truly the only difference between them is their size. All other breed standards are the same. The Toy Poodle stands between 10 and 11 inches and weighs 14 to 16 ½ pounds. The Miniature Poodle is 11 to 15 inches tall and weighs 26 to 30 pounds. The Standard Poodle is over 15 inches and weighs 45 to 70 pounds. He may be any solid color, including blue, gray, silver, brown, apricot, cream, black, or white. His coat is thick and curly and is generally groomed in one of the following styles: Puppy cut, English Saddle cut, Continental cut, or Sporting cut.

Personality and the Perfect Owner

The Poodle is a hypo-allergenic breed perfect for the owner with allergies. He produces little dander and does not shed. And, since he’s available in three sizes, he’s suitable for any type of housing accommodations. He is a friendly, energetic, and proud dog who carries his head high with dignity and has a jaunty bounce in his step. He is good with children and generally calm in nature. The Standard Poodle also makes an excellent watchdog.

Common Health Problems

Before adding a Poodle to your home, ask your breeder about the dog’s health history. Common Poodle ailments are:

Toy · Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) · Cataracts · Glaucoma · Eye and ear infections · Digestive problems · Skin conditions · Diabetes · Heart disease

Miniature · Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) · Cataracts · Glaucoma · Eye and ear infections · Digestive problems · Skin conditions · Heart disease · Epilepsy

Standard · Addison’s Disease · Hip dysplasia · Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) · Von Willebrand’s Disorder (VWD) · Bloat · Cataracts · Severe skin disease