Poodle Training

When you think of a Poodle, the first picture that usually comes to mind is the fancy and precise way they’re clipped. Many have the puff-ball tail, the bouffant ‘hairdo’, ‘poofed-up’ chest, fur balls around their ankles, and exposed skin everywhere else. Most who don’t know the Poodle breed well see them as being very feminine looking, even the males, which is why the Poodle is dubbed the “Pretty Boy” of the dog world. So, to learn they’re actually hunting dogs who love the water seems quite out of character.

The Poodle clip was actually begun by hunters who wanted to lighten the weight of their coat while swimming, but who still wanted to keep their joints warm and covered in cold water.

Their actual origin is still in question although France is attributed for the way the Poodle looks today as well as the variance in sizes which can go from under 10 inches to more than 26 inches tall with weights that span 6 pounds to 65 pounds. These differences are separated into three distinct categories: the Standard, Miniature, and Toy.

In addition to the size differences, they also have differences in their nutrition requirements so diet is extremely important. For example, your Standard Poodle requires high amounts of amino acid in his food that should come from fish, fowl, and pork sources while avoiding beef by-products. Without this amino acid, his skin can become discolored, his gums can lose firmness around his teeth, and his coat will lose its luster and change color.

Ideally, the Miniature Poodle’s diet should include a combination of fish, corn, oats, wheat, and poultry while avoiding horsemeat, beef, soy, and avocado. Toy Poodles also need calcium but problems can develop from the wrong source. For instance, your Toy’s system can readily digest calcium from oysters, but not from beef bones. So, to be certain he’s getting the necessary nutrients into his system his diet should include low-growing green and yellow vegetables, pork WITH beef, wheat, and oats while shying away from any soy or rice products.

Of course, you don’t need to be a chef or cook actual meals for your Poodle, but being aware of these needs is important. Besides, what’s it hurt to put leftovers in an ice cube tray to be given to “Bon Bon” later?

All Poodles have drop ears and their tails are usually docked although they’re left longer in modern days than they have been in the past. Their coloring is almost always solid and includes black, white, apricot, blonde, and a variation of those colors being lighter or darker. Because they are water dogs, all Poodles have webbed feet. Their snout is pointed but looks even longer when the fur is clipped bare.

Poodles are a favorite of people who are normally allergic to dogs since they are known as one of the few breeds that don’t shed. However, even Poodles shed their fur but it’s so little that it’s almost nonexistent. Then too, when their coats are allowed to grow, it comes in tight curls without an undercoat. Consequently, they can chill a little easier than most other breeds; hence the donning of doggy clothes by some owners who think they need to dress their Poodle to keep them warm. The truth is their light, hair-like fur is actually an advantage because it enables them to dry faster and warm quicker after a swim than other breeds, provided they haven’t been clipped down to their skin.

Health problems for Poodles include Addison’s disease, thyroid problems, and ear infections but all can be avoided and treated if caught early throughout his normal life span of 13 to 16 years.

Aside from all the factual information, Poodles are a joy to own. Their bouncy personalities match their zest for play and are a true family dog. For this reason, they don’t usually bond to one person but are instead a real family dog when socialized properly as a puppy. So whether your Poodle is pocket-size cute, or regal and lanky, you’ll be pleased to share his daily walks with him.