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Information About Poodle
By peace | October 1, 2006
The Poodle is a breed of dog; specifically, it is a dog noted for its ability in the water and bird hunting skills. The English name comes from the German Pudel, or Pudelhund – from Old German puddeln, meaning “to splash about”. In France, Portugal and Spain, the Poodle is known as a caniche. The breed comes in three sizes: * Standard: Over 38 cm (15 in) at the shoulder * Miniature: Over 28 cm (11 in) high, but under 38 cm * Toy: Under 28 cm (11 in) and 10 lb or under The American Kennel Club has a slightly different standard, with the maximum for Toys and the minimum for Miniatures at 25cm (10 in). The FCI standards divide Poodles into four groups: Large (45 to 60 cm), Medium (35 cm to 45 cm), Miniature (28 cm to 35 cm) and Toy (less than 28 cm with an ideal size of 25 cm).
Coat
The hair on the animal’s body is naturally curly, often in small tight clumps of small curly ringlets. Hair on the ears can be straight or slightly curly. With brushing, the dog’s hair will still retain wavy or curly properties, but will soften and straighten somewhat. The coat can be clipped in various styles. For show purposes, only three clips—the puppy clip (only for dogs one year old or younger), the Continental or Lion clip (with the instantly-recognisable ‘mane’), and the English Saddle clip (with leg bracelets)—are acceptable. The traditional show-cut ‘bracelets’ of long fur covering the dog’s leg joints are said to date back to winter hunts, where most of the fur was clipped short to facilitate swimming but the joints, lungs, heart, and kidneys needed protection from the cold. The pom-pom on the end of the tail served as a “flag” when the Poodle dove under the water’s surface. Clip styles for pets include the Kennel clip (fur same length all over) and other styles, generally variants of the Continental. Left alone, Poodle fur will become corded in the manner of a Puli or Komondor. Working Poodles are often clipped closely to avoid tangles and to reduce the amount of water a wet dog brings into a duck boat.
Historically, the poodle was a water dog, a circus dog, and the pampered pet of royal households in France. The standard poodle was known as early as the 15th Century and was shown in the paintings of German artist Albrecht Durer and the Spanish artist Goya. During the 1800s, he was used to produce the curly coat of the Curly-coated Retriever; was crossed with the English pointer to produce the Pudelpointer, a happy-go-lucky, energetic, and versatile German hunting dog; and played a part in the development of the Irish Water Spaniel (and through the IWS, became an ancestor of the American Water Spaniel). The miniature poodle was crossed with a terrier to produce a truffle hunting dog to sniff out the delicate, flavorful fungus growing just under the soil surface. There is some evidence that the toy poodle and the Maltese dog are related, but it is not certain if the Maltese was used to produce the toy poodle or if the poodle played a part in the development of the small white dog from Malta.
Colour
The coat is an even and solid color at the skin. In blues, grays, silvers, browns, cafe-au-laits, apricots and creams the coat may show varying shades of the same color. This is frequently present in the somewhat darker feathering of the ears and in the tipping of the ruff. While clear colors are definitely preferred, such natural variation in the shading of the coat is not to be considered a fault. Brown and cafe-au-lait Poodles have liver-colored noses, eye-rims and lips, dark toenails and dark amber eyes. Black, blue, gray, silver, cream and white Poodles have black noses, eye-rims and lips, black or self colored toenails and very dark eyes. In the apricots while the foregoing coloring is preferred, liver-colored noses, eye-rims and lips, and amber eyes are permitted but are not desirable. Major fault: color of nose, lips and eye-rims incomplete, or of wrong color for color of dog.
Parti-colored dogs shall be disqualified. The coat of a parti-colored dog is not an even solid color at the skin but is of two or more colors.
Gait
A straightforward trot with light springy action and strong hindquarters drive. Head and tail carried up. Sound effortless movement is essential.
Temperament
Carrying himself proudly, very active, intelligent, the Poodle has about him an air of distinction and dignity peculiar to himself. Major fault: shyness or sharpness
Care
Poodles’ coats require plenty of grooming to keep the constantly growing hair at a manageable length and to prevent it from matting. Matted fur can be very difficult to untangle, and often the clumps must be cut out with scissors. There a number of short pet clips that make a very easily maintained family pet. Poodles also require dental care as they are generally known to develop serious dental problems as they age. Such care includes but is not limited to veterinary dental cleaning.
Training
Highly trainable and eager to please, the Poodle requires early socialization and obedience training. With their sensitive nature they do not respond to harsh or heavy-handed methods. The Poodle does best with fairness, firmness, respect, patience, and consistency. They excel at learning tricks, including agility, retrieving, and competitive obedience.
Activity
The Poodle enjoys swimming, family play sessions, and securely leashed walks. They greatly benefit from regular opportunities to romp and run off lead in a safe area. Poodles will do okay in an apartment or condominium dwelling provided they are sufficiently exercised and stimulated to help curtail their tendency to excessively bark, and to keep them physically fit.
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