Poodles
Read more articles on Pets.August 8, 2006
Posted by Kim
August 8, 2006
Posted by Kim
1 Views
Poodles are a very common type of dog. They are often viewed as dogs for the rich and famous. Poodles are very popular for shows and are often seen in the top 3 dogs for dog shows. They come in several different sizes to suit anyone’s needs or wants. Here are some of the features of poodles.
Poodles originated in Western Europe although it is not certain exactly where. They have been credited to France most often, though. These dogs have a very energetic and lively temperament. Poodles have a short curly coat that should be well trimmed. These dogs also come in a wide variety of colors with white and black being the most common.
Toy poodles are very intelligent dogs and are among the most trainable of dog breeds. They are very sensitive, perky, and love to be around people. These dogs make very good watch dogs despite their small size. They do not like strangers and will alert you if one is nearby. Toy poodles are better with older children who will be more considerate because this breed tends to be a little high strung and may snap on a younger child.
The toy version of the breed is very small. They will only grow up to 10 inches at their shoulders and will only weigh between 6 and 9 pounds. Their life expectancy is between 12 and 15 years. Some health problems that they may encounter include ear infections, runny eyes, skin irritation, and digestive track and heart disorders. Keeping your dog up on its vet visits will help catch problems early on.
As far as living conditions, these dogs do well in almost any household type. They are very active indoors and thus would be ok with no yard to play in. They are great for apartment living as well as out in the country. For exercise, a simple walk or free run in an open space will do sufficiently for them.
The miniature poodle is another type of poodle. These dogs are also very intelligent and highly trainable. Miniatures are most often used in circuses because of their ability to learn new tricks and to perform. They are also very family oriented and will feel left out if not included in family activities. With this version of the breed, it is hit or miss whether they are compatible with children. Some love to play with children, and others are too high strung. They do tend to bark a lot, especially where strangers are involved.
The miniature version is the middle size for poodles. They will be between 11 and 15 inches at the shoulders and will weigh between 15 and 17 pounds. Their life expectancy is the same as the toy version, between 12 and 15 years. Cataracts and other hereditary eye problems are one of the health concerns with this breed. They may also suffer from skin problems, runny eyes, ear infections, diabetes, epilepsy and heart disease.
This version also does well with apartment life. They do not need much space to get the exercise that they need. Like their toy relatives, a simple walk or freedom to run will suffice for exercise although they do love water.
The standard poodle is the third type of poodle. These are an elegant, medium to large sized dog breed. This type is also highly trainable and intelligent. They are gentle and dignified. They are also much calmer than the toy and miniature versions. Standards are much friendlier towards strangers and are excellent with children. They do not like to be left alone.
The standard version is the largest of the poodles. They are more than 15 inches in height at the shoulders. The males will weigh between 45 and 70 pounds while the females will weigh between 45 and 60 pounds. They will usually live between 12 and 15 years but are also known to live longer than that. This version will have many of the same health problems as the smaller types with the added possibility of bloating, so serving this dog 2-3 meals per day rather than one large one is more advisable.
Standard poodles are not as active indoors as the other two breeds, but will still do ok with apartment living as long as they are exercised. They are not incredibly picky about exercise, but will be happier if taken for walks or allowed to run in a small yard. The standard is more in the sporting group and thus needs a bit more exercise than the smaller ones.
Even when you know that a poodle is the right dog for you, there is still a decision to be made. Which poodle type will best fit your needs and wants? Do you have small children at home or do strangers visit often? How much time are you able to contribute to exercise the dog? What size dog do you really want? These and other questions will help you decide which type of poodle is right for you.
Copyright © 2006
Terms & Conditions
