The poodle is a beautiful, graceful dog known for its unusual curly coat. Representatives of this breed have a lively character, cheerful and wonderful.
brief information
- Breed Name: Poodle
- Country of origin: France
- Weight: Large 20-30 kg, Small 8-14 kg, Dwarf 6-8 kg, Toy ~ 2.5 kg
- Height (height at withers): Large 45 – 60 cm, Small 35 – 45 cm, Dwarf 28 – 35 cm, Toy 24 – 28 cm
- Age: 12-15 years
Basic moments
- He has an extraordinary mind, and an excellent sense of smell, hearing, and sight. Large and small dogs can be used for hunting, spying, and searching for truffles.
- The poodle loves water and is ready to be in it endlessly.
- Active, able to withstand heavy physical exertion. In urban environments, this requires long walks.
- All poodles, even the smaller varieties, are easy-going, healthy, and long-lived.
- Dogs are not aggressive at all. On the contrary, they are endowed with a certain sympathy with people.
- Great colleague, but a terrible supervisor.
- The poodle breed gets along well with children, becoming their friends and playmates.
- Poodles have thick, springy hair that allows them to create a variety of hairstyles. They require occasional brushing and trimming.
Breed Characteristics
Aggressiveness Activity Training
Low ( Rating 2/5) High ( Rating 4/5) Very easy ( Rating 5/5)
Shedding Need for Care Friendliness
Minimal ( Rating 1/5) Very high ( Rating 5/5) Friendly ( Rating 4/5)
Health Maintenance cost Attitude towards loneliness
Average ( Rating 3/5) Above Average ( Rating 4/5) Short periods ( Rating 2/5)
Intelligence Noise Security qualities
Very smart ( Rating 5/5) Average ( Rating 3/5) Bad Security Guard ( Rating 2/5)
History of the Poodle Breed
The belief that the poodle is one of the oldest dog breeds unites all experts in the world of science. However, there is no consensus about its homeland, lineage, or stages of species formation. Three countries – Germany, Hungary, and France – have at different times claimed the right to be considered the birthplace of the poodle.
The original purpose of poodles was hunting, and their ancestors were shepherd dogs and so-called water dogs, which retrieved shot games from reserves during hunting. This type of dog lived in many countries of Western Europe. The poodle belongs to several breeds of dogs that vary in size, but have one unifying characteristic – long, shaggy hair that covers the entire body.
The developmental patterns of poodles are still controversial. Thus, the ancestors of the large and medium-sized poodles are the so-called water spaniels, whose ancestors are the barbet (French water dog), Komandor (Hungarian shepherd dog), and Polly (Hungarian water dog). Miniature poodles include toy spaniels, Maltese, and kinds of bacon. Retrievers, pointers, and greyhounds also reportedly influenced the breed’s results.
Experts use written records, breed diagnoses, and images of the canine to piece it together. In German, “poodle” (or “puddling”) means “pile”, “swamp” or the whole concept of “sliding in water”. The English word “poodle”, derived from “puddle”, is also translated as “puddle”. The French name for this breed is Canice. The word “cache” comes from “Chien canard”, which means “duck hunting dog”.
“Poodles in the form of dogs have depicted images on ancient Roman and Greek coins and the bases of ancient Roman tombs. Medieval paintings of the Benedictine monastery of Monreale in Sicily and the Abbey of Saint Remy in France have depicted poodle-shaped dogs.” Paintings by painters of the Dutch and Flemish schools feature poodles with “lion’s haircut” dogs. The 16th-century European chronicles contain the first written description of the poodle, which mentions varieties of dogs that vary in size and color.
By the 18th century, poodles had gained popularity among the European aristocracy. At the same time, the art of hairdressing was developing rapidly in Europe, and during the reign of Louis XVI, the first grooming salons appeared in France. Court hairdressers, who had mastered the new craft, began to cut the thick hair of their respected masters differently. The king declared the miniature poodle an official court breed to please his wife Marie Antoinette, who loved poodles.
The Poodle’s aesthetic appearance and good nature also inspire the creative, artistic, and whimsical. These dogs were favorites of great people like Georg Sands, Thomas Mann, Schopenhauer, and Ludwig van Beethoven.
These dogs have also become a favorite of circus performers, as their excellent training allows them to perform spectacular tricks in the arena. However, the poodle did not only entertain high society and bohemia. Military battles also required courage, dedication, and intelligence – dogs would search for the wounded and provide secret reports.
The first standard for the poodle was described and published in Great Britain in 1886, and later breed standards were created in Germany. Animal selection took its course, resulting in different types of poodles. The British preferred the light, graceful bones of the dog. And in the Kaiser’s Germany, these dogs were bred, trying to give the breed a heavy, large constitution.
It is known that since the late 19th century, the archives of Kaiser Germany’s Reich Chancellery were guarded by impressive-looking Imperial Poodles. For a long time breeders in Eastern Europe – Poland, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Hungary – were guided by German standards. In other countries, they preferred English “family”.
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France opened the first club for poodle lovers in 1923, but the nation soon claimed the title of ancestor of the modern breed standard.
Mademoiselle Gagliani, long-time club president and owner of a poodle breeding kennel, has achieved great results in breeding large, small, and dwarf-sized dogs, many of which have become champions. In 1936, the FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale) approved the breed standard developed by the French Poodle Club.
In Russia, the breed gained popularity in the 19th century, although already during the time of Catherine II, poodles settled in the royal court. These good-looking dogs were recognized in elite circles and among Russian intellectuals, artists, actors, and writers. There is still an opinion that the poodle is a dog for people with taste and intelligence. Most of Russia bred the larger poodles, while Europe imported the smaller breeds.
In the USSR, DOSAAF started operating the “Royal Poodle” section after the Great Patriotic War and also opened a section for miniature poodle lovers in the 60s. The All-Union Poodle Club was formed in 1989 and renamed the Russian Poodle Club in the 1990s. Today it is part of the RKF structure.
Today, some diversity remains in the poodle breed, which is evident by comparing the giant poodle and the toy poodle born in the middle of the last century. However, breeders are very close to their goal – to ensure that the smallest dog is an exact mini-copy of the largest representative of the poodle breed.
Appearance Of Poodle
The current breed standard approves six poodle color options, two coat types, and four breed types: large (or standard, imperial), miniature (or medium), miniature (or dwarf), and toy poodle.
Frame
Poodle is built in parallel. Body length is greater than height at the withers, which should be approximately equal to the height of the rim. Chest deep, long, broad, well developed. Its front part is high which gives pride and dignity to the position of the head. The ribs are oval. The back line should be straight, the lower back should be strong and muscular. The poodle’s belly and back are stocky, but not as expressive as greyhounds.
Head
Tall, proportional to the body, has a beautiful shape, but not too light. The skull is distinctly sculpted and slightly convex in profile. The transition line from the skull to the mouth is almost invisible. The nose contour is straight, long, and not too sharp. The lips are of medium thickness, the upper one overlapping the lower one, but not falling.
In black, white, and gray dogs, the color of the lips is black, in brown dogs it is brown, in apricot poodles it can have any shade: from dense dark brown to black. A color scheme, featuring a nose that matches the color of the animal, The nose itself is quite large, and the nostrils are well-developed. Cheeks do not protrude, tightly fitting the cheekbones, which appear weak.
Jaws and teeth
Poodles have strong jaws. The bite should be scissor-shaped and the teeth should be white.
Eyes
Almond-shaped, non-convex, with a slight slant along the bridge of the nose. Black, white, gray, and apricot dogs have dark brown or blue eyes that are almost black. Brown poodles have brown eyes. Their color often has a deep amber tint. The expression in the eyes is lively, curious, and even somewhat excited.
Ears
Set high, long enough, with the corners of the lips hanging down and meeting the cheeks. They are wide at the bottom and rounded at the ends. The poodle’s ears are impressively decorated with thick, long fur.
Neck
The back of the head is slightly curved. It is of medium length, slightly less than or equal to the length of the head.
Organs
The front legs should be perfectly straight, elegant, and parallel to each other, but moderately muscular. The pastern should be firm, but not massive. Well-developed muscles should be visible on the hind legs, especially in the hip area. When viewed from behind, the hind legs appear parallel to each other, like the front legs, but when viewing the dog from the side, you should notice that the stifle and hock joints are bent. Metatarsus are located vertically.
The paws of poodles are oval, they are quite short but strong. The toes are attached to the swimming membrane, they are strongly bent, bent towards the ground, and their pads are thick and plump. Black and gray poodles should have black nails. Browns are brown or black, Blondes are black or pink, natural for horns. Apricot-colored dogs may have black or dark brown nails.
Tail
Thick at the base, the tail is high and pointed at the top. Its length can either be natural or reduced by half or a third. If the dog is calm, he puts it down. During locomotion, the tail moves obliquely upwards.
Movement
The movement of the poodle feels relaxed, light, and energetic at the same time. Her gait is incredibly graceful, reminiscent of a dance. The dog moves quickly at a trot, demonstrating the strength and musculature of the hind legs.
Wool
A poodle’s coat is very thick and lush. This is the advantage of this poodle, making the dog unique. The breed is characterized by two types of wool – curly and corded.
Curly wool has a rune-like texture. They are distinctly curved, lush, large, dense, and flexible. Dory’s coat is also thick. Thin and delicate, it forms a woven structure, consisting of countless thin cords covering the dog’s entire body. The length of the cords should not be less than 20 cm. The longer the leash, the greater the poodle’s display ability.
To keep the poodle clean, it should be combed so that the hair hanging in the cords hangs evenly on both sides of the body. The fur that grows above the ears can be gathered into a beautiful ponytail and decorated with a stunning bow.
Color
According to the FCI standard, the color of the poodle can be black, white, brown, grey, apricot, or red. Other international organizations recognize other colors. The basic requirement is that the color should be uniform, without marks.
There are restrictions on certain color shades. Therefore, brown should be quite dark, and warm in tone. A dark chestnut color, obtained from dull black, is not permitted. Gray and light shades are also undesirable.
The intensity of gray should not be weak, its shades should not reach white or black.
The color of the poodle should be a uniform apricot color and should not change to shades of beige, cream, dark chestnut, or red.
Red color, in turn, should not be like apricot.
Haircuts
There are three main criteria adopted for breeding poodles. They apply to both curly and corded dogs. Classic hairstyle – “lion”. Dogs with similar haircuts, but not as ornate, can be seen in early images of this animal. The dog is cut from the base of the tail to the ribs. Hair loss can affect everything from the upper part of the mouth to the lower eyelids, the lower part of the mouth, and even the cheeks.
The hind and lower legs are short, except for the cuff or bracelet. It is permissible to leave the skin on the front legs – “trousers”. Woolen decoration can be on the lower part of the waist. A round or oval pompom is left on the tail. Dogs’ whiskers are not clipped.
“English haircut” is similar to “lion”. This option includes modeling lush cuffs or bracelets on the hind legs while shortening the hoops between them. There is a top note on the head (wool is collected in a bun, or pin, for example, with a bow with an elastic band). The mustache is trimmed.
Modern hairstyles
“Modern” hairstyles include saving hair on the front and back legs. The following options are available:
- The fur on the front paws from the claws to the wrist claws (fifth toe) is very short. The bottom of the hind legs are cut at the same height as the front legs. The mouth and tail are cut according to the authority of the “lion”.
- The wool is trimmed along the body to a length that should not be more miniature than 1 cm to create a textured moiré effect. The length of the coat should gradually increase from the back to the ribs and upper limbs.
- In the option of equal (ordered) hair, the cap is left on the head, but not too much. The hair also stays on the back of the neck. It should then come down to the shoulder blades and the front of the chest, to fade easily. At the front, the coat should form a continuous line to the fully clipped ends of the claws. The fur stays below the ears. It tapers downward in length, terminating at the edge of the surface. The fur above the ears may be trimmed or shaved.
Types of poodle haircuts
Disadvantages of the breed
- Arched or sunken back.
- The tail is set very low.
- The nose is partially brown.
- The mouth is pointed, and there are spots on the mouth.
- A bump on the back of the nose.
- Large, distinctly deep-set eyes, not dark enough in color.
- The ears are Small.
- Slopes.
- Long, sliding steps, smooth movement.
- Sparse, weak, or hard coat.
- Excessive panic.
Character
Poodles, whose appearance is distinguished by sophistication and elegance, are often called “feminine” dogs, which is a complete injustice. Don’t forget that this dog’s ancestors were graceful hunting dogs. The Poodle has inherited an enthusiasm for exercise, boundless vitality, and an energetic lifestyle. He loves sports games with a ball, jogging with his owner, and swimming brings him the most joy. But the dog won’t mind if they both curl up on the couch and watch a TV show together.
intelligence
The poodle is known for its brilliant intelligence and sharp mind. He says of it: It is the intelligence and intelligence of the poodle that determines its behavior and shows unparalleled obedience. This dog also appears to be a crowd pleaser, but he obeys his master and recognizes him as an undisputed authority because he realizes that he is smarter than himself.
The dog supports the “leader” in all his actions, and does not consider it necessary to oppose him. If the owner starts digging the soil in the garden, the poodle will immediately join in the work and start digging nearby, and if he decides to sit and watch the sunset, he will surely sit next to him and selflessly. will see the action.
Through its natural powers of observation, intelligence, memory, and curiosity, the poodle learns all the nuances of communication, including the owner’s tone, gestures, and facial expressions, as well as their intentions and future goals. The dog is willing to do anything, just not to annoy the owner, so he tries his best to follow his instructions and sometimes manages to do so before he expresses his wishes.
If a poodle has made a mistake, his behavior will show that he is sorry, understands, and won’t do it again.
The poodle’s ability to understand human speech is very well developed. It is believed that he knows more than 70 words. But fans of this breed of dog believe that this number is very low. Moreover, poodles understand many words by following the movements of a person’s lips. This gift allows them to be great companions for deaf and dumb people.
Social
The poodle is a very sociable dog. It needs communication not only with the owner but also with all the family members. At the same time, the natural sense of pride does not allow the dog to interfere. Owners of this dog should understand that it needs attention and affection. Otherwise, they may well be depressed and ill.
Poodles love children. They are ready to be both friends and mentors at the same time. By the way, the ability to care can be expressed in relationships with all members of the family, regardless of their age – in this the dog feels the inclination of its shepherd.
The poodle is not aggressive and completely harmless. Attitude towards strangers depends on whether a person likes them or not. But in extreme cases, he may bark at someone he doesn’t like. Poodle guards are useless, but if they sense danger, they will certainly notify the owner with a ringing bark.
Poodles get along well with other household pets, including cats. However, representatives of the cat family that are not familiar with the dog can become prey if it develops a hunting instinct.
The main characters of dogs of different heights are almost the same. Still, the Toy Poodle’s character can be somewhat timid, manifested by a fear of loud noises and sudden movements. This deficiency can be overcome through proper education.
Education and training
The poodle’s natural qualities, such as intelligence, obedience, imitation, and inherent shyness, make the learning and training process almost problem-free. These dogs remember commands very quickly. They only need to be explained or shown a couple of times what to do and how, and they will remember the lesson forever.
Poodle puppies are as playful as children, so training should be in a game, where the owner acts as a partner and partner. The dog begins to perceive human life as a game, and tries to imitate people: he puts his toys in a box and brings the necessary things. Growing up, he becomes human, begins to take an active part in the family’s economic affairs, and shares his own’ hobbies.
You should not yell or punish your dog. He rarely gives a reason for it. If, after all, the dog has “received a penalty”, the explanation of his mistake should not be overly corrective and painful. You need to shame your pet briefly and convincingly at the right time and place so that he understands what is at stake.
The poodle is a thinking dog, and this quality needs to be developed and encouraged: talk to him a lot, explain his actions, and tell him what you expect from him.
A poorly trained dog that doesn’t know what subjugation is, will likely think of himself as the head of the family and be disobedient.
Care and Maintenance
Regular grooming of your poodle’s magnificent thick coat is essential to ensure it always looks healthy, well-groomed, and clean. It is recommended to brush your dog at least three times a week daily, as his growing fur does not shed. To do this, you should buy a special comb for a dog and a massage brush comb.
You need to comb your dog, moving alternately with and against the fur. Comb the fur on the body first, then on the paws. If you do not follow this rule, the dog’s hair will become matted, matted, and matted, which is very difficult to get rid of.
Bathing
The poodle loves water, so bathing, which he needs often, does not hurt him. The dog should be washed at least once or twice a month, using a special shampoo for long-haired dogs. Before the water procedure, the needs to be thoroughly combed. If tangled, they should be separated or carefully cut with sharp scissors. You should soap your dog and rinse thoroughly at least twice. Carelessly washed wool is sure to mat again.
Another important factor in poodle care is systematic grooming. This dog’s flexible and springy coat is the basis of its decorative features. When you press the fur with your palm, resistance is felt and it returns to its original shape almost immediately.
Hairstyles
This feature allows you to create a variety of hairstyles, several of which no dog can compare with the poodle. In addition to standard haircuts, there are many fantasy haircuts, the most popular of which are “game” and “lamb”. They are a simple outline of the body.
Grooming
Grooming should be done once every three months to learn how to train a dog, and it is recommended to leave it to an experienced groomer. , reading will not be enough. It is better to take practical lessons from a master, ideally, take specialized courses.
But everyone can get a hygienic haircut. Every month, special scissors are used to trim overgrown hair on the face, under the tail, and in the genital area. Trimming the hair between fingers, toes, and toes is recommended once every two weeks.
An active dog needs exercise. He will get in the way if he sits inside the four walls and invites his owners to play. He needs to walk at least three times a day. It is recommended that at least one walk be long and that the dog has a chance to run around without a leash.
Food
It is permissible to treat your pet with pasta but in minimal quantities. Eggs cannot be given more than twice a week. Feed your dog cottage cheese at the same frequency. If he doesn’t want to eat raw produce, offer him cheesecake. Include vegetables in your diet from time to time, perhaps in the form of a salad dressed with vegetable oil or sour cream.
Poodles can be fed both natural food products and processed food. Meat products should make up about one-third of the diet. Prefer beef (preferably not frozen), chicken, and beef liver, it is very healthy. Some of the meat can be boiled. Vikor Dalia is based on oatmeal, rice, buckwheat, and millet. You need to cook the porridge in water, not in meat broth.
Buy dry food, canned food, and natural food supplements in specialty stores, preferring premium products.
Two-month-old poodles are fed 3-4 times a day, six-month-olds – no more than three. After the puppy is 8 months old, it is transitioned to two meals a day.
Poodle health and diseases
The poodle is quite a hardy and healthy dog, however, this breed has several diseases:
- Addison’s disease (restricted production of hormones by the adrenal glands), often causes an “upset” stomach and lethargy.
- Bloating, requiring immediate attention from a veterinarian;
- Optic nerve hypoplasia is dangerous because it can cause blindness or impaired vision through the eye.
- PRA – retinal atrophy, is a genetic disease;
- Cushing’s is a tumor, often fatal, the disease is mainly characteristic of old dogs;
- Chronic Active Hepatitis – Dogs with this liver disease cannot be cured, but the progression of the disease can be slowed.
- Hypothyroidism is a disease of the gland;
- deafness
How to choose a dog
Since they vary in color and size, the choice is quite wide. It’s worth noting that you shouldn’t get a miniature (dwarf) or toy poodle in a family with children, as these types of dogs often suffer from childhood quirks. The choice of color depends on subjective preferences. A litter can have different colors.
Health
Please note that women usually check the eyes – they should be clear and there should be no fluid accumulation in the corners. It is also important to inspect the abdomen for itching and redness. Do not neglect to check the condition of the hair under the tail: if it is stuck together, the dog is likely to have digestive problems. The dog should not be itchy or limp.
Even purebred white poodles can have cream or apricot patches of fur on the chest, ears, and lower limbs – this is not a breed defect. The skin will turn white with age. It happens that puppies are born with pink noses and paw pads, but these areas darken over time.
It is best to buy a puppy when they are already 2 months old. If you want your chosen one to participate in exhibitions in the future, it must be at least four months old.
The breeder should give you a puppy card, which can then be exchanged for the breed, and a veterinary passport with vaccination records.
How much does a poodle cost?
The price of a poodle puppy depends on its size, color, age, and location of the kennel.
The ability to show class dogs is sold for 90,000 rubles. Children of the breed class that can participate in breeding cost 70,000 rubles. Poodles belonging to the pet class, which have a slight deviation from the standard, but are completely healthy and beautiful, cost about 50,000 rubles. Dogs with coats that are rough to the touch, reminiscent of horsehair, are always rated low.
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