Poodle

The Poodle: So Loved And Famous That His Birthplace Is Claimed By Many Countries by : Connie Limon

2007-05-06T05:30:00.000-07:00

For hundreds of years the Poodle has been one of the most popular breeds in the world. The Poodle seems to be most associated with France, however, many countries claim the breed. Denmark, France and even Russia claim the Poodle's original birthplace. Poodles probably originated in Germany so say many more authorities. The name Poodle is probably derived from the German Pudel which means to splash in water.

Today, the Poodle is available in three different sizes and many different colors, which also accounts for its massive popularity. The toy poodle is classified in the toy breed group by the American Kennel Club.

Although the size of a toy, standard and teacups or miniature is different, they typically look the same having a long head and muzzle with long, flat and wide hanging ears. The tail is typically docked. The coat is curly and dense with a fine woolly texture, which requires daily grooming.

Of interesting note about the toy poodle is that it was commonly used in circuses and floor shows as dancing dogs.

The poodle has a pleasant personality and enjoys constant companionship with its humans. He actually prefers the company of humans rather than other dogs. They do make excellent pets for children and people of all ages. The Poodle has been known to be "gentle" with children.

The poodle is quite intelligent. In fact it is felt by many that the poodle is the most intelligent of all breeds of dogs. They learn quickly and enjoy pleasing people performing a variety of tricks rather than responding to commands. For this reason, I think the Poodle must be sort of a "natural entertainer."

The poodle was also the favorite breed of Louis XV Louis XVI of France. Under Louis XVI the Toy Poodle became the official dog at court. The first recorded grooming parlors were established in France. In France during the 19th Century, grooming their dogs was the fashion of the aristocracy. So identified did the Poodle become with France that the breed was known as the "French Poodle," despite the probability that it did not originate there.

Since the first Poodles were water dogs and retrievers, the first clip most suitable to them resembled what is known as the Continental clip. In this clip a mane of hair is left on the foreparts while the back and hindquarters were completely shaven. Because the clip also made the Poodle resemble a lion, the clip became known in England as the Lion clip. The Amercian fancy adopted the Lion clip with some variations of its own and called it the English Saddle clip. The Poodle is the only breed whose coat is traditionally styled in a variety of ways. Today these styles range from a variety of different pet clips to the formal clips seen in the show ring.

A few tips in grooming the Poodle:

When brushing the hind legs, hold leg straight out behind the dog.
Hold the hair with one hand as you brush with the other (a technique that is said to result in a fuller look to the leg furnishings).
Wring and towel out as much moisture after the bath as possible before blow drying.
Comb the topknot up and forward.
Comb through ears to make sure no snarls are present.
The pompon is combed through before being scissored.

As with all breeds there are some health concerns. For the poodle the list may include:

Progressive retinal degeneration;
Medial patella luxation;
Epilepsy;
Cataracts;
Hyperadrenocorticism;
Intervertebral Disk Disease.

Poodles are also sometimes prone to hair loss, ear infections, bladder stones, allergies, diabetes, and deafness. The typical lifespan of a toy poodle is 15 to 18 years. As mentioned above, Poodles do quite well with children and adults of all ages.

Source: Free Online Articles from ArticlesBase.com

About the Author:
Connie Limon. Visit us at http://www.abouttoydogs.com and sign up for our FREE newsletters. About Toy Dogs is a toy dog breeder and article directory. Purchase ad space for your toy dog business at $25 per year.

The Most Intelligent Poodle by John Pawlett

2007-03-15T06:17:00.000-07:00

The Poodle is commonly acknowledged to be the most wisely intelligent of all members of the canine race. There is a general belief that he is a fop, whose time is largely occupied in personal embellishment, and that he requires a great deal of individual attention in the matter of his toilet. It may be true that to keep him in exhibition order and perfect cleanliness his owner has need to devote more consideration to him than is necessary in the case of many breeds; but in other respects he gives very little trouble, and all who are attached to him are consistent in their opinion that there is no dog so intensely interesting and responsive as a companion. His qualities of mind and his acute powers of reasoning are indeed so great that there is something almost human in his attractiveness and his devotion. His aptitude in learning is never denied, and many are the stories told of his marvellous talent and versatility.

Not merely as a showman's dog has he distinguished himself. He is something more than a mountebank of the booths, trained to walk the tight rope and stand on his head. He is an adept at performing tricks, but it is his alertness of brain that places him apart from other animals.

The profuse and long coat of this dog has the peculiarity that if not kept constantly brushed out it twists up into little cords which increase in length as the new hair grows and clings about it. The unshed old hair and the new growth entwined together thus become distinct rope-like cords. Eventually, if these cords are not cut short, or accidentally torn off, they drag along the ground, and so prevent the poor animal from moving with any degree of comfort or freedom.

Corded Poodles are very showy, and from the remarkable appearance of the coat, attract a great deal of public attention when exhibited at shows; but they have lost popularity among most fanciers, and have become few in number owing to the obvious fact that it is impossible to make pets of them or keep them in the house. The reason of this is that the coat must, from time to time, be oiled in order to keep the cords supple and prevent them from snapping, and, of course, as their coats cannot be brushed, the only way of keeping the dog clean is to wash him, which with a corded Poodle is a lengthy and laborious process. Further, the coat takes hours to dry, and unless the newly washed dog be kept in a warm room he is very liable to catch cold. The result is, that the coats of corded Poodles are almost invariably dirty, and somewhat smelly.

Poodle's General appearance

Head: Long, straight, and fine, the skull not broad, with a slight peak at the back.

Muzzle: Long (but not snipy) and strong not full in cheek, teeth white, strong, and level, gums black, lips black and not showing lippiness.

Eyes: Almond shaped, very dark, full of fire and intelligence.

Nose: Black and sharp.

Ears: The leather long and wide, low set on, hanging close to the face.

Neck: Well proportioned and strong, to admit of the head being carried high and with dignity.

Feet: Rather small, and of good shape, the toes well arched, pads thick and hard.

Legs: Fore-legs set straight from shoulder, with plenty of bone and muscle.

Hind-legs: Very muscular and well bent, with the hocks well let down.

Tail: Set on rather high, well carried, never curled or carried over back.

Coat: Very profuse, and of good hard texture, if corded, hanging in tight, even cords; if non-corded, very thick and strong, of even length, the curls close and thick, without knots or cords.

About the Author
Dog Breed Rescue is an informative resources site on Dogs. Find out how Dog Breed Rescue can expand your horizons.

Meet The Elegant, Intelligent Toy Poodle Dog Breed by Lee Dobbins

2007-03-15T06:15:00.000-07:00

The Toy Poodle is one of the smartest dog breeds and, although it's exact origins are unknown, it is France that this breed is most closely associated with. Drain down from the standard poodle, the Toy Poodle was a favorite of 18th-century royalty.

A member of the American Kennel Club Toy Group, the Toy Poodle weighs between 6 and 9 pounds and is up to 10 inches tall. This can be very long-lived breed if given the appropriate care and may live longer than 15 years.

This dog is elegant in stature with its curly coat that can be groomed in different styles, but the most familiar being one which includes poofs of hair around the ankles and head. The ears are long and flat hanging down next to the head and the eyes are dark and almond shaped within alert expression. The tail is typically docked and can also have a big poof at the ends depending on the way the dog is groomed. The quintessential show dog, the Toy Poodle has a spring like gait when moving and comes in any number of solid colors.

The Toy Poodle is extremely intelligent and one of the easiest dogs to train, although he is a bit sensitive and of course you will want to use positive training with this breed. They love to be with people and have a perky and pleasant personality. Some bloodlines, however, may be highly strong and timid. They do need to be socialized from an early age and can tend to be excessive barkers if not trained properly in this area.

Toy poodles can suffer from runny eyes, ear infections, hearing disorders and skin conditions as well as problems with the digestive tract. Some may fall victim to Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia or PRA.

The Toy Poodle does not need excessive exercise, but it does need to go for walk every day. They can make great apartment dogs if they are trained not to be barkers.

This breed should have its coat clipped every six weeks and does need to be bathed regularly. It is important to keep the eyes clean and check the years and clean them frequently. Like most small dogs, they can have dental problems so the teeth need to be brushed regularly and will require periodic de-scaling. The Toy Poodle sheds very little.

This breed of dog has perhaps the most interesting array of grooming styles. There are three basic styles, the pet clip which has the hair clipped rather short over the entire body. And the English Saddle and Continental clips which have different variations where the rear half of the dog is shaved and pom-poms are left on the ankles, tail and hips.

About the Author
Lee Dobbins writes for Dog Breeds 123 where you can learn more about dog care and see photos of dog breeds like the toy poodle

Poodle Hybrid Designer Dogs

2007-02-25T23:17:00.000-08:00

Poodle Hybrid Designer Dogs
Submitted by Mike Mathews

Designer dogs are really hybrid or cross-breed dogs that have been developed to try and gain some positive characteristics or lose some negative characteristics from the founding pure-bred dog breeds. “Poo” hybrid dogs where the Poodle is crossed with a number of breeds such as the Labrador Retriever (Labradoodle), Golden Retriever (Goldendoodle), Maltese (Maltipoo) Cocker Spaniel (Cockapoo), Bichon Frise (Bich-poo), Yorkshire Terrier (Yorkipoo) and the Schnauzer (Schnoodle) are very popular. This is because the Poodle is a very intelligent breed with a non- or low-shedding odorless coat which is said to be hypoallergenic. While there is no guarantee as to what characteristics will be passed on to the first generation puppies from the breeding parents, the Poodles non-shedding coat seems to be a dominant characteristic which is often passed on to the first generation of puppies, accounting for the popularity of the “poo” hybrids. I guess if you wanted to ensure a hypoallergenic and non-shedding coat, then you should acquire a Maltipoo, Schnoodle or a Bich-poo where both parents have non-shedding coats. It should be noted that there are really two types of Labradoodles. The first is the unofficial mixed Poodle/Labrador designer breed described above and the second is the Australian Labradoodle which has resulted from an exhaustive Australian breeding program involving 6 different parent breeds: Poodle, Labrador Retriever; Irish Water Spaniel; Curly Coat Retriever; American Cocker Spaniel; and English Cocker Spaniel.

Most of the Poodle hybrids are quite attractive with beautiful coats. Colors range from whites and creams to apricot, brown, chocolate, silver, gray, black and multi-colored. Their coats are low to non-shedding and will need combing, brushing and clipping on a regular basis. Poodles are very intelligent and most “poo” hybrids should be fairly easy to train. Since there are three sizes of pure-bred Poodles (Toy, Miniature and Standard), you can have many different sizes of “poo” hybrids. Through the wonders of artificial insemination, the smaller Toy and Miniature Poodles can be bred with larger breeds such as the Labrador or the Golden Retriever to produce smaller designer dogs. While a Poodle could be either the dam or sire in most pairings, in this situation the Labrador or Golden Retriever would be the dam. One of the most popular designer dogs today is the Cockapoo which can take many forms. The Cockapoo Club of America recognizes two main types of Cockapoos – the American Cockapoo (Poodle/American Cocker Spaniel cross) and the English Cockapoo (Poodle/ English Cocker Spaniel cross). Four sizes of Cockapoo are designated. These are the: Teacup Toy (under 6 pounds grown weight); the Toy (7 – 12 pounds); Miniature (13 -18 pounds); and Maxi (over 19 pounds). Information on “poo” hybrids such as Cockapoos, Goldendoodles and Labradoodles can be found at www.dog-breed-facts.com .

Many designer dog breeders insist that the first generation hybrid puppies will be healthier and have fewer genetic health problems than the founding breeds. They say that this is due to a phenomenon called hybrid vigor. Some breeders will even breed a first generation “-poo” hybrid back to another Poodle to try and ensure a non-shedding coat. The resulting back-cross will be ¾ Poodle and ¼ other founding breed. Other experienced hybrid breeders tend to focus on producing a multi-generational line of hybrid puppies with standardized characteristics by breeding non-related hybrids with the desired characteristics. It is really up to you as to which type of designer dog hybrid – first generation, back-cross or multi-generation – that you purchase. However since the founding breeds are always pure-bred with potential genetic problems, purchasers should always ask to see the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and the Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF) certificates for both parents. This combination of genetic testing and cross-breed vigor should help to ensure you acquire a healthy puppy.

About the Author
Mike Mathews is an editor and contributor for the popular dog breed facts information site and has developed articles on 3 “poo” hybrid designer dogs - the Labradoodle, the Goldendoodle and the Cockapoo - which can be found at www.dog-breed-facts.com/cockapoo.html

Getting To Know The Poodle by Dan Stevens

2007-02-25T04:31:00.000-08:00

Getting to know your dog starts by getting to know its breed, and that includes getting a better idea about its appearance, personality, and health requirements. Here's what you need to know about the Poodle:

The Poodle is considered one of the smartest dogs in the world. In addition, this breed is exceptionally easy to train. What many people do not know is that the Poodle has been around for centuries, originally being a large dog used for hunting. The exact origin is controversial, some historians believing this breed comes from Germany while others believe it comes from Denmark, France, or even Piedmont. Regardless, the French are now considered the official claim to fame regarding this breed, which is why sometimes the dog is referred to as the "French Poodle".

The Poodle, being a descent of the Hungarian Water Hound and Barbet, loves water. Therefore, the actual name is a derivative of the German word "Pudel, which translates to "one who plays in water." With exceptional swimming and retrieving skills, this breed was at one time used to fetch waterfowl. To keep the dog from becoming waterlogged, giving it more flexibility to swim, the hunters would clip the coat, leaving only hair around the legs as protection from the environment. Today, we still see the Poodle clipped in this traditional fashion.

Realizing just how smart the Poodle was, the French began using the breed to perform in the circus, which led even further to popularity. The large, Standard Poodle was eventually bred down to what we see more of today as the Miniature and Toy Poodle. Keep in mind that the Standard variety is still available although not as widely chosen for a pet. In addition to excellent family additions, the Poodle is a great show dog and performer. When showing, all three varieties are scored the same.

The Standard Poodle is the largest of the three varieties, followed by the Miniature version and then the Toy version. All three are graceful, lively, and elegant. The Poodle is also shaped much the same, only different according to size. This breed is also a part of many hybrids to include Cockapoo (Cocker Spaniel and Poodle) and the latest, the Labradoodle (Labrador Retriever and Poodle).

Physical Appearance

All poodles have long ears that are flat and wide. The eyes are almond-shaped and the face generally has an alert expression. On this particular breed, you would find the head to be slightly rounded and the teeth have a scissor type bite. The Poodle's feet are oval and webbed, making it a powerful swimmer. Depending on the owner, some will have the tail docked and dew claws removed.

A great benefit to owning a Poodle is that this dog does not shed. Therefore, people with allergies, respiratory problems, or even people with a disability that would find cleaning up after a dog difficult would love owning this breed. The hair of the Poodle is another important aspect. The hair is curly and therefore, must be brushed and clipped on regular schedules.

Typically, a Poodle would be one color such as brown, black, white, blue, apricot, or gray but you will also find parti-colors, sometimes referred to as "phantom colors", which means black and red markings. While the hair on the Poodle's body is tightly curled, you may find your dog's ears curly or straight. When visiting a dog groomer, you will find there to be many different cut options. However, for show purposes, just three cuts are acceptable. These include:

1. Puppy Clip 2. Continental (Lion Clip) 3. English Saddle Clip

If you plan to use your Poodle as a working dog and not a show dog, then you could go with any clip you like. However, most often, the hair would be kept short as a means of reducing tangles and water remaining on the animal if used for fishing or hunting. Unfortunately, if a Poodle is not properly clipped, the hair can cause serious problems. As the hair grows, it begins to cord. When this happens, it can pull on the skin, causing lesions, sores, infection, and so on. At this point, the only solution is to have the coat completely shaven off.

To give you an idea as to size, the original Standard Poodle would measure more an 15 inches at the withers, the Miniature Poodle 11 to 14 inches, and the Toy, less than 11 inches. Additionally, a Toy Poodle must be 10 pounds or less to qualify for this class. Keep in mind that the FCI and AKC have slightly different regulations so you would need to follow closely to the one you wanted to use for show.

Temperament and Personality

The Poodle is an exceptionally bright dog. The breed is active and alert, loving, and loyal. In addition, the Poodle does very well with children if socialized when young and in most cases, handles other animals quite well. This particular breed will often go to great lengths to please its master and many times, is a one-person type dog. Although the Poodle is typically mellow, they can become bored and mischievous. Therefore, it is important to exercise your pet and spend some quality time playing.

You will also find the Poodle to be a sensitive dog. In fact, when caught chewing on something or getting into something he or she is not supposed to be in, you may even notice slight embarrassment. This breed is comical and makes a great watchdog. The one thing to remember is that if you find your particular Poodle is a little on the high-strung side, proper training, and socialization will reduce the risk of sapping dramatically. Then, if you have smaller children, they would need to be taught how to respect this breed, meaning no sitting on the dog, and no pulling of the ears or tail, etc.

Health

Poodles will often have hyperactive tear ducts, meaning they have streaks of brown running down the eye area. Sometimes, keeping the eye clean with a cotton ball dampened with water is enough but if you find the problem to be constant, your veterinarian may prefer to check for a clog, which can be corrected. Then as mentioned, it is imperative that a Poodle have proper grooming. When buying this breed, the expense and time associated with grooming should be considered.

Most Poodles will live to around 14 to 16 years of age. Although typically a healthy breed, you should know that some health risks exist, which vary depending on the variety. For instance, things such as Entropion, Cataracts, Intervertebral Disc Degeneration, Epilepsy, Legg-Perthes, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Luxating Patella, Urolithiasis, and Trichiasis are all possibilities for the Miniature and Toy Poodle.

Then for the Standard Poodle, the above-mentioned risks exist along with small potential for Canine Hip Dysplasia, Addison's Disease, Gastric Torsion, Sebaceous Adenitis, and Von Willebrand's Disease, a hereditary protein deficiency. In addition, all varieties of the breed are predisposed for mammary tumors. With good care and regular checkups, a Poodle should live a long, healthy life.

About the Author
Daniel Stevens is the renowned dog trainer and author of SitStayFetch, a leading dog training guide having sold over 21,000 copies. See http://www.kingdomofpets.com/dogobediencetraining/dogbreeds/poodle.php for more on dog breeds.

Poodle (Standard) Puppy And Dog Information by Mitch Endick

2007-02-25T04:29:00.000-08:00

The standard Poodle is a highly intelligent, proud and good natured dog. They are good watch dogs and are generally good with other pets and other dogs. They are usually good with older children. As a reminder, never leave a child unsupervised with a puppy or dog. They do need plenty of exercise and a properly fenced in enclosure is ideal. They need extensive grooming.

*Approximate Adult Size. The approximate adult size (two years old or older) of the standard Poodle is 22 to 27 inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulder) and 45 to 70 pounds.

*Special Health Considerations. Most dog breeds have certain inherited health problems associated with that specific breed and the standard Poodle is no exception. Be on the look out for Canine Hip Dysplasia (genetic based looseness in the hip joint that can lead to arthritis pain and lameness), Epilepsy (common in many dogs), stifle problems and ear infections. This disease list is an informative guideline only. Other diseases may also be significant threats, please contact your veterinarian for a complete list.

She should visit the veterinarian several times in the first year for shots, boosters and check up. Then, as an adult, she should visit the veterinarian yearly for shots and check up. As she gets older, six years and on, she should visit the veterinarian twice a year for check ups and shots. Remember; avoid feeding your dog sweets.

*Grooming. The standard Poodle has a long double coat. The outer coat is wiry curls. The outer coat is wooly and thick. They need extensive, professional grooming.

Her ears should be checked once a week and be kept clean. If you have her professionally groomed, make sure ear cleaning and inspection is part of the package. No water or excess fluid should get in the dogs ears, and do not try to irrigate the ears. Ear cleaning is too complicated and critical to instruct here. Look for hair growing in the ear canal, excess wax, or moisture. If her ears have a discharge, foul odor or she seems to be in distress and you suspect an infection, or tumor, consult your veterinarian.

Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious disease.

Her toenails may need to be examined for growth and clipped regularly. The toenails of the rear feet grow slower than the toenails of the front feet.

*Life Span. The standard Poodle can live between 10 and 13 years with proper nutrition, medical care and excellent living conditions.

*History. The standard Poodle comes from France where they were used for hunting and bird retrieval. They were designated the national dog of France. They were first registered by the American Kennel Association in 1887.

Some Registries: *Poodle Club of America *UKC United Kennel Club *NKC National Kennel Club *CKC Continental Kennel Club *APRI Americas Pet Registry Inc. *AKC American Kennel Club *FCI Federation Cynologique Internationale *NZKC New Zealand Kennel Club *KCGB = Kennel Club of Great Britain *ANKC = Australian National Kennel Club *ACR = American Canine Registry

Litter Size: 3 to 8 Poodle puppies

Category: Non Sporting

Terms To Describe: Intelligent, active, elegant, proud, distinction, dignity, outgoing, friendly, vain

*SPECIAL GOOD POINTS Make a good watch dog. Make a medium guard dog. They do not shed.

*SPECIAL BAD POINTS

*Other Names Known By: Barbone, Caniche, French Poodle

*Every dog is an individual so not everything in this information may be correct for your dog. This information is meant as a good faith guideline only.

About the Author
Mitch Endick is a short article writer for the popular pet site: http://www.petpages.com. He provides informative advice on all pets including dogs, puppies, cats, fish, reptiles, birds, ferrets, rabbits, mice and even pet bugs. Petpages.com also has an extensive pet classified ads section.