Poodles: breed description, species, care and training

Poodles are a popular and talented breed of domestic dogs, which is famous for its incredible tricks and acrobatic abilities in circus performances. In this article you will get acquainted with the common types and breeds of poodles, the features of their maintenance, care and training.

Everything that is precisely known about this breed at the moment indicates its rich historical past, rooted thousands of years ago. Primitive images of these animals were found on ancient Roman and Greek coins, as well as on the stucco molding of some temples.

At various times, many European countries were considered the birthplace of this breed. Most often, preference was given to Hungary, Germany and France, where this breed began to be used in the Middle Ages. Poods were originally used exclusively as a hunting breed. - they caught shot prey from ponds and marshy areas. From the German language, the word "poodle" is literally translated as "swamp" or "puddle", from the English language puddle also means "puddle".

In French, the breed is called "canis", which comes from the expression chien canard, which translates as "dog for duck hunting."

It is believed that poodles were formed by crossing several different breeds at once. Among them were: barbet, bullets, commander, retriever, toy spaniel, bichon.It is precisely known that the breed gained its real popularity precisely in the 18th century, when poodles entered the European market and almost instantly became the pets of rich and eminent persons. Earlier in France grooming services were opened - specialized salons for dog hair care, and with the advent of poodles, their activity was able to thoroughly gain momentum.

At one time, poodles became the favorites of such famous personalities as Marie Antoinette, Schopenhauer, Ludwig van Beethoven. All of them admired the beauty, grace and intelligence of these pets. It is also known that some breeds of poodles were bred specifically for participation in military battles. These dogs could imperceptibly carry food, supplies and reports, as well as find wounded people and drag them away from the battlefield.

This variety received official recognition only in 1886, when the world's first standard of such a breed was published. A little later, a similar document was compiled in France and Germany. This breed also came to Russia in the 19th century, and dogs became favorite pets of many representatives of the Russian nobility.

A poodle is one of those few purebred breeds that is immediately recognized in the crowd of other dogs. The reason for this recognition is the extraordinary hairstyles and haircuts that their owners reward these animals.

Below will be considered typical characteristics of the appearance of poodles, depending on the variety.

• Royal (large). The largest bulky variety among all poodles. Growth is up to 60 centimeters at the withers, the average weight of an adult is from 20 to 23 kg.

• Small poodle. Up to 45 centimeters at the withers, weight less - up to 8 pounds. Unlike the royal variety, small species of poodles need more balanced feeding, however, do not require a lot of space for games in the apartment.

• Dwarf breeds. Typical sizes: not higher than 35 centimeters in height, by weight they are rarely heavier than 6 pounds.

• Toy poodle. Up to 28 centimeters in height with a weight of not more than 4-5 kg.

Color options for poodles can be completely different. Since the breed was widespread, breeders have achieved impressive results in coat color: peach, snow-white, chestnut, red, gray, and even red.

Regardless of the breed species, all poodles have approximately the same exterior features. Let's get to know them in more detail.

• Head. An elongated, slightly flattened shape, the back of the head stands out significantly against the background of the neck. The nose is wide and smooth, the muzzle itself is long, significantly narrowed to the bow. Eyes are small, solid brown or dark in color, occasionally blue shades are found. Remarkably developed nose, not covered with hair, black, pinkish or brown, nostrils clearly visible.

• The ears. Mostly long ears (sometimes chest-length), of a hanging type, are covered with a dense layer of curly long hair. The inside of the ears is also covered with wool. The shape is most often rounded, the width of the base is much smaller than the width of the final part.

• Neck. Medium length, gracefully arched, covered with a thick layer of wool, which makes it appear excessively thick and wide.

• Torso. Elongated type, regular proportional shape. The back is indirect, however, there is no deflection. The chest is not wide and almost flat, but due to the hairline it seems to be curved forward. The abdomen in adults is tightened, there are no folds.In individuals after pregnancy, the folds are masked by the hairline.

• Limbs. Due to the rest of the body and an abundant amount of hair, it seems thin, but healthy animals have well developed muscles. The legs are set correctly and parallel to each other, also covered with a thick layer of wool. The paws themselves are small, oval-shaped pads, fingers closed.

• Tail. In most individuals, it is poorly represented, as it is most often cut in nurseries at birth. It can grow up to 40 centimeters, however, thoroughbred individuals with tails up to 7-10 centimeters are often found. The tail is also covered with a thick layer of wool and resembles a hair ball. Usually looks up or bent into an arc.

• Leather. Pigmented type. In individuals of white, gray or platinum color, a cover of silver tint, in individuals of variegated colors corresponds to the main shade.

• Wool. Depending on the variety, there may be two types. The first type: thin, but thick and curly curly hair, soft and springy in texture. The second type: long curls of a cord type, stiff in texture, have little springiness, naughty.

Poodles are an incredibly smart dog breed that has specific character traits. The main character traits strongly depend on the conditions of upbringing and maintenance, which is why it is worth allotting time for dog training from childhood.

• Attitude to family members. Almost from the first days of meeting, the poodles are trying their best to get in touch with the new owners. They are extremely sociable by nature, they love constant attention and games, and are prone to empathy.

• Attitude towards children. For young children, poodles become true friends. These are their constant companions who will support in any games, walks and acquaintances. Even when it comes to the appearance of a newborn baby in the family, poodles are extremely patient with night cries, whims and harassment.

• Relation to other pets. When it comes to cats, poodles are one of those few dogs that can make friends with them. However, a lot depends on the nature of the cat and the age of the poodle itself. It is more difficult for young poodles to make friends with cats - they are too active for them and can cause a lot of mutilations to a cat in the heat of the game. Before reaching the age of six months, a poodle is better not to contact an adult cat. If we are talking about other dog breeds, then poodles do not have any problems with them. But it should be animals of about the same age.

• Need for communication. As already mentioned, poodles are extremely social animals. They literally cannot stay alone indoors for a long time. Even an adult poodle will chase you everywhere in your apartment, monitor your affairs and attract attention with all your might.

• Attitude to other people. If new people come to the apartment or you meet someone from your friends on a walk, do not expect your poodle to have a playful mood and a desire to get to know each other. In the presence of other people, the poodles were slightly timid and timid, but incapable of open aggression. The maximum that any poodle can afford in relation to strangers is a warning bark.

• Vengeance. Not a particularly pleasant trait of poodles, which catches up with everyone who is indifferent to them or neglectful. As already mentioned, poodles by all means attract the attention of the owner.This is reflected in widespread wrecking: gnawed slippers, spoiled furniture, puddles and wet wallpapers in various places.

• Empathy. With a healthy pet-to-host relationship, poodles have amazing empathic abilities. These animals very subtly feel the state of mind of their master, can copy his emotions: rejoice and grieve in unusual and unusual situations. Poodles will support absolutely all your ideas: from a long trip to the forest or out of town to the usual rest in bed watching a movie.

The benefits of acquiring poodles will be as follows:

• cheerful, restless and ready for adventure;
• wool sheds very rarely; cleaning is not difficult;
• considered a breed capable of training and exhibitions, has a developed intellect;
• the character is soft, good-natured, but can stand up for himself and for the owner;
• It is the so-called greenhouse breed, that is, it feels great in an enclosed space;
• the breed in many countries is represented as an elite;
• the coat does not have a specific dog smell;
• It gets along well with all family members, including children.

Minuses:

• Despite the remarkable adaptability to the apartment, it needs daily walks in the fresh air;
• capricious and vengeful with a lack of attention;
• so that the pet's coat looks beautiful and neat, you should regularly take care of it: comb and style.

The average adult poodle is not very different from other pets in terms of life expectancy. Depending on the conditions of detention, the life of a poodle can vary from 10 to 15 years. The strongest and most hardy individuals live up to 20 years.

The life expectancy of this breed, like all other tetrapods, depends on the following factors.

• Quality and good faith care. Poodles are not recommended to start inexperienced owners who do not have the slightest idea about the content of the dog. Some aspects of caring for a poodle may seem difficult for an ordinary breeder.

• Food. It is the second factor affecting the life expectancy of any pets. Poodles can not be called exceptional gourmets - they are able to eat almost everything that turns up at hand, however, there are types of products that are contraindicated for these animals. About them will be discussed below.

• Relationship with the host. Healthy, cheerful and pleasant relations with the owner not only improve the mood of the pet, but also actually extend its life span.

• Heredity. A factor that is almost impossible to control somehow. Usually this means that the pet has some genetic diseases that could have been transmitted from grandparents. That is why experienced breeders recommend checking the passports of the puppy's parents when buying a young individual.

• Active leisure and sports. Poodles are always on the move.Even being inside the walls of the house, these pets are unable to sit in one place for a long time. Without regular walks in the fresh air, poodles can completely lose their cheerfulness, become passive and closed.

At the beginning of the material, the main varieties of poodles were already indicated, depending on their size and weight: large, small, dwarf and toy poodle. In this subheading, you can familiarize yourself with popular varieties, depending on their original color. So, there are the following poodles.

• Harlequin poodle. The breed, which is characterized by a contrasting black and white color with a predominance of white. These individuals are characterized by white limbs, chest, stomach, and occasionally the withers, as well as the muzzle. The rest of the body is occupied by extensive black spots. The ratio of white and black should be something like this: 60/40.

• Poodle Phantom. It is one of the most beautiful recognized breeds of poodles. The breed differs from the rest in a unique brown-orange color. Dark brown or chocolate color occupies more than 80% of the entire hairline, orange, white or yellowish spots are located on the chest (at the base of the forelimbs), cheeks, inside of the hind limbs and outside of the front, near the legs.

• Poodle Pointer. It is the result of breeding research on the crossing of poodles with pointers, pointers and setters. The breed is used exclusively as a hunting one. It differs from the rest of its relatives by a solid brown or chocolate color with a relatively short coat and pronounced long hair on the face.

• Maltese Poodle or Maltipu. It was bred by crossing toy poodles with a Maltese lapdog. It differs in extremely small growth - up to 35 cm, and weighing up to 3.5 pounds. Most often, such colors are found: red, brown, apricot and white. Poodle differs from its relatives by a rounded head with a blunt muzzle, as well as short and strong limbs. The breed is considered decorative.

Before buying a poodle to your home, it is worthwhile to soberly evaluate the future conditions of keeping your pet. Before buying, you need to pay attention to the following factors.

• A family. It is worthwhile to understand whether a particular breed of poodle is right for your family. So, dwarf or toy poodle should not be bought in families with children. These animals have an extremely fragile skeleton and bones. Children in the process of playing with the animal can cause him serious harm. If this is a family of elderly people, then poodles of a medium or small type, which do not require too much care, are more suitable here.
• Sizes. It should be understood that the larger the poodle in size, the more he needs food, care and care. In addition, large breeds often need walking and plenty of space for games and entertainment. The number of feedings per day also depends on the dimensions of the breed.
• Your free time. Poodles, like most domesticated dogs, need constant communication, games and outdoor activities. If you are always busy at work, in household chores or with children, it is better to choose a different breed. In addition to entertainment, training and feeding, you will need to spend hours daily walking and jogging with the dog. And she won’t wait until you finish your business to pile.
• Purpose of the purchase. It’s worth saying right away that modern poodle breeds are exclusively decorative, and it’s worth buying them for this purpose. They may be your protector in the streets, but they cannot guard the house.
• The sex of the animal. Before buying, you need to decide who exactly you want to have - a boy or a girl. Females are prone to greater affection, easily make contact and quickly establish friendships. But in females from time to time there is estrus, which can affect their nature. Males are more active, restless and sociable, it can be difficult to teach them something. The males will need more time for walking - they will not leave the street until they mark several places. There are also problems related to puberty.
• The age of the pet. Experienced breeders know that the best time to buy an animal at home is two or three months old. It was at this time that the poodle puppy became more savvy, already able to execute elementary commands, accustomed to walking.
• Climate. Despite their impressive curly fur coat, poodles are poorly adapted to sharp climatic declines and temperature shifts. It is worth considering if you decide to get a dog in a cold, unstable and often changing climate.

Now you should consider those factors and signs that you need to pay attention to when choosing a puppy in the kennel or from private hands.

• Behavior and activity. This is the first thing to look for when choosing a poodle puppy. Puppies are usually in a good mood, playful, constantly running, and can even bully. This is a sure sign of a healthy poodle with a hassle-free character. Especially closely worth a look at the activity of individuals of the dwarf type.
• Dimensions. Among puppies of the same sex, you should choose the one who weighs more and visually larger in size. Thin and small individuals are often extremely weak and prone to many diseases. Remember that sometimes the entire litter of a female may consist of weak and small puppies, but this does not mean their poor health. The more individuals in the litter, the lower their weight individually.
• Eyes. They should be clean, unclouded, without tearful “paths”, redness, suppuration and dirt. The eyes reflect most of the diseases dangerous for dogs.
• Limbs. The legs of a healthy poodle puppy should be strong, straight and long, with dense pads on the legs. Make sure that the pet is not limping and does not have difficulty running.
• Belly and breast. Regardless of the type of poodle, the animal must have a healthy dense coat without bald patches and bald patches. Pay special attention to the skin of the pet - in sick puppies you may find redness or a rash, suppuration on the tummy, breast and under the legs.
• The ears. Very young puppies do not yet have characteristic tanks with a thick hair, so it will be quite simple to check them. In healthy individuals, the ears should hang down calmly, no suppuration, scabs or dirt should be present in the inside.
• Wool. A lot can be understood by the state of the coat itself. In healthy animals, it is smooth, swirling, springing under the arms. In sick individuals, pressure sores, fallen hair, and yellowed areas on the skin may be noticeable. Look at the coat around the anus - for healthy pets, it should be clean and dry.
• Parents. Some breeders prefer to judge puppies by their pedigree. Usually pay attention to the merits, mental state and physical health of the parents. It is best to focus on the father in this situation, since any females after birth, even the first litter, begin to deform the body - this especially applies to the skin and hair on the abdomen (folds, baldness).

Immediately after buying a pet, you should find out what exactly the previous owners fed him. Organize for the puppy a smooth transition to a new diet. It’s not worth buying newly born puppies - babies should get all the vitamins and elements necessary for food in the first days from mother’s milk.

Regardless of the size and breed of your poodle, it is adapted exclusively for home maintenance within the walls of the apartment. Below you can read the rules for keeping poodles, which will help you properly care for these animals.

• A place to rest and sleep. Allocate to your pet his own place - it should be where people constantly go. It is advisable that the pet house has a good circulation of fresh air (without drafts) and be protected from direct sunlight. Avoid placing the house near radiators and heated walls - with such a thick hairline, excess heat for poodles will be harmful. If possible, organize a special warm sunbed there.

• Restroom. It’s worth immediately to understand that a dog is not a cat, and cannot get used to shitting in a strictly defined place. In a way, this is unnatural for a given species of animal.

• Toys and entertainment. The pet spends the bulk of its active time in its activities and games. That is why it is worth buying a few toys in the apartment with which the dog could have fun while you are busy. First of all, you should take care of buying a special vitamin seed. This is especially true for young individuals whose teeth are just beginning to grow. Also a mandatory attribute for games will be a ball, a squeaker and a toy with a riddle (a plastic ball with food inside will help distract your pet for a long time and grind its teeth).

The right conditions are not only a good place to relax, toys and walks, but also regular thorough care for your pet. Below is a list of procedures that should be carried out with your pet regularly.

• Hair care. The main part of worries about the poodle will depend on the care of the hair. Without its dazzling springy coat, a poodle turns into an ordinary dog, and therefore it takes a lot of patience and money to care for the coat. The first thing you should buy is a good hair brush or a thick comb. It is especially important to comb out at a young age, when the pet sheds almost every day, changing the puppy's hairline to an adult. Upon reaching six months of age, you should comb the poodle at least 3-4 times a week.

• Skin care. Pay attention to the condition of the skin of your animal - it is on it that more than 30% of all diseases dangerous to the animal are reflected. In order to prevent the formation of abscesses, boils, abscesses or non-healing wounds, you can use special powders.

• A haircut. Despite the widespread belief, poodles need to be cut not even for decorative purposes. Over time, the hair grows back, and can prevent the animal from fully moving. Experienced breeders recommend a haircut at least 1 time every two months.

• The washing up. Many owners prefer to bathe their dogs often because of a particular smell.However, poodles do not have this smell, and it would seem that such frequent washing is not so necessary. But this is not so - the longer the coat of your poodle, the sooner it will lose its appearance. In order to get rid of dirt on the wool or just wash your pet after a dusty walk, regular bathing without soap or shampoo is also suitable.

• The ears. It is worth constantly checking your pet’s ears for prevention. The cleaning itself should be done at least once every two weeks - this is especially true for active individuals who spend a lot of time outdoors.

• Claws. Using a clipper should be resorted to if necessary. For young individuals, such procedures may not be needed - these dogs effectively grind their small claws during street games.

• Eyes. If you see morning mucus in your poodle's eyes, make it a habit to clean your eyes every morning with napkins moistened with cool boiled water.

• Oral cavity. Some of the diseases of poodles concern teeth. To protect yourself from these risks, you should brush your pet’s teeth with a special brush and toothpaste at least once a week.

There are currently two ways to feed poodles. The first concerns the feeding of ready-made feeds - you have to buy a balanced ready-made feed, which contains all the vitamins and minerals necessary for life. The second method is feeding with natural products, where the owner himself chooses the supplied elements and can freely introduce some new products into the diet.

Each of these methods has its own advantages and disadvantages. First, the pros and cons of finished feed will be considered.

Pros:

• balanced food, when serving, you need to monitor only the amount of food for a particular breed and dog size;
• these feeds a priori contain everything necessary for a full life of both young and adult individuals;
• long storage in a dry and ventilated area - up to six months or more.

Minuses:

• high cost if you want to purchase super-premium feed (as necessary for poodles);
• lack of variety in nutrition, because of which the animal may lose appetite;
• the owner will never be completely sure of the composition of the products he delivers to the animal.

Natural feed also has its advantages and disadvantages.

The benefits of natural feed are obvious.

• The owner independently monitors the quality and process of cooking, therefore, can be sure that the animal eats.
• Natural pet food is much more trusting.
• Variety - the owner at any time can add some new product or treat to the feed. The diet of such a feed is easy to change and adjust to the current vitamin needs of the pet.
• Even the highest quality natural products cost far less than specialized poodle feeds.

Cons of natural feed is also available.

• Extremely short storage period. The calorie content and nutritional value of natural cooked foods is most evident in the first hours after cooking and serving.
• The need to monitor calories, the difficulty of maintaining a balance in nutrients when changing a diet, a lack of vitamins and minerals.
• Unlike ready-made feeds, new servings of natural food need to be cooked almost every day. It takes a lot more time.

Despite all the above, most poodle breeders prefer natural feeding with the addition of special vitamin supplements. With this feeding, you should adhere to the following recommendations and rules.

• Fresh quality meat. It occupies a major place in the daily diet, accounting for approximately 2/3 of the total amount of food. Of meat products, you should turn to beef and lamb. You can use offal as a substitute. All of the products described above should be served only in boiled form.
• Fish products. It is not served as a main dish in the diet, but serves only as an additive to replenish phosphorus and other vitamins in the body.
• Dairy products. Unlike many other pets, poodles just need to buy kefir, cheese or cottage cheese several times a week. They are needed to replenish calcium, which is vital for the body, which is responsible for the integrity of their skeleton.
• Vegetables, fruits and cereals. The rest of the daily diet should be cereals, fruits, and vegetables. It is worth stopping at buckwheat or rice porridge. Vegetables and fruits in this case can serve both as an additive and as a treat. From vegetables, tomatoes, carrots, cabbage, spinach are suitable here.

Poodles have an innate ability to train and learn. It is not for nothing that poodles are so often used in circus performances. Education and training in the lives of these animals are not just mandatory - they bring real pleasure to a healthy dog. This is especially true for young poodles or puppies who are ready for hours to obediently carry out the commands of their master, consciously honing their skills.

Next, you can familiarize yourself with the list of rules that you must follow if you want to train a healthy and smart poodle.

• Begin training almost from birth. It is at this age that the animal best remembers all the rules and attitudes. With training an adult pet, things may not be so simple.
• Any pet must have a name. It will serve as a guide for the pet. If you use the nickname of a pet with certain commands regarding a certain situation, then he is more likely to remember them.
• There should not be any violence in training. Avoid screaming and open aggression towards pets - they feel great about it. Instead, be patient and resort to a method of promotion. For each perfect trick, treat the poodle with a small treat, affectionately praise or just stroke.
• Indicate closed and open areas for visiting immediately. There should not be any concessions in visiting closed places and rooms. As soon as the animal has crossed the border, immediately return it back.
• Get your poodle to care. The less the pet will twitch during such procedures, the calmer it will be for you and him. That is why it is worth starting the procedure from birth.
• Only one owner should train an animal. It will be difficult for the pet to get used to a large number of even the same teams from different trainers, because they will be said with different arrangement and intonation.
• After completing the basis, go to the training of the remaining teams. The simplest teams for training should be: “near”, “to me”, “sit”, “voice”. Do not forget about the promotion method.
• Systematic. Classes should be held regularly, at the same time. Give them at least an hour a day. After passing the next stage in training, sometimes return to the old material for fixing.

Most owners note the curious and keen poodle mind. Many are delighted with the speed of training of these animals, as well as their natural beauty and grace. In addition, people notice a complete lack of aggression towards other pets and children.

As for the negative reviews about this breed, they all relate to the difficulties of caring for the delicate hair of poodles. Otherwise, as the owners notice, this is an absolutely ordinary dog, which requires a lot of attention, love and care.

See more about breed features in the next video.