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Ten Things You need to Know About Standard Poodles

1. Standard Poodles were originally water retrievers. They are still good swimmers like their ancestors, and even have webbed feet. The name poodle is closely related to the English word puddle. The poodle is known as "Puddeln" or "Pudel" in German, meaning a water dog or one that likes splashing in water. In France, the Poodle is known as the "Caniche" or Duck Dog, from its role retrieving duck. A Standard Poodle is a "Caniche Royale"

2. Standard Poodles make excellent working dogs. As well as outstanding companions and pets, and of course water retrievers, they make superb police dogs, watch dogs, sheep dogs, guide dogs for the blind, hospital therapy dogs, truffle hounds and circus performers.

3. Bas-reliefs dating from the first century found along the shores of the Mediterranean portray the Poodle much as it is today.

4. Poodles are highly intelligent dogs, possibly the most intelligent of all canine breeds and certainly within the top three.

5. Poodles do not molt. For this reason do not affect many allergy sufferers as other dogs do.

6.  The distinctive cuts associated with poodles are a vestige of their original reprieving roles. They were developed to lighten the dogs' coats and improve their swimming ability, with balls of hair left protect their joints and vital organs from the cold in winter. Even the coloured ribbons in poodles' topknots had a practical function - allowing hunters to identify their own dogs at a distance in the water.

7. Different areas favored different cuts, for example Northern European nations use cuts with the fur left on the entire leg for warmth in snow.

8. In all probability, the breed originated in Germany or possibly in Russia.

9. A favorite subject of artists for centuries, the Poodle probably appears in more works of art than any other dog.

10. All of the different sizes of the Poodle are considered to be one breed, from the most useless lap dog to the largest working Standard Poodle. The words Standard, Miniature, and Toy are used to denotes size only, not the breed. The Standard Poodle is the oldest of the three varieties, which is why it is still referred to as Standard. (the lap dogs incidentally were bred down from the Standard over the centuries).

 The Poodle is one of the most popular breeds of dogs in the World. Here are some facts about Standard Poodles:

  • Place of Origin: Medieval Europe

  • Function: Originally retrievers and flushers of birds, now mainly used as companions.

  • Life span: 10-14 years

  • Coat Type: Curly, non-shedding

  • Height: 15 inches +

  • Weight (typical):Dogs 45-70 pounds (20-32kg.) Bitches 45-60 pounds (20-27kg.)

Function

  • Shooting Still excellent water hunting dogs.

  • Watchdog: Very high potential

  • Protection: Average capability

  • Trainability: Very high potential

Nature

  • Intelligence: Very high

  • Activity Level: Medium - but will not object to high levels of exercise

  • Character: Accepting, loyal, adaptable, gentle, obedient. Owners will tell you that they are intelligent enough to have a sense of humour.

  • Good with children?: High to medium, a good family dog

  • Good with other pets?: Medium

  • Good with strangers?: Accepting

  • Active? very active, intelligent, and elegant. A proud dog who needs attention.

Poodles make good companions and are extremely loyal, sometimes to the point of being possessive. Well-trained Poodles are eager to please. The owner should be a competent trainer, as poodles can be wilful if poorly trained. As a good working rule, if you do not train your standard poodle then it will train you.

Keeping

  • Environment: Unimportant as long as they get lots of exercise

  • Best Owner: Patient consistent leader with time to play and exercise, a good family dog

  • Potential Behavioural Problems: Standards have better temperament than miniatures but need more exercise. As long as they are exercised and not spoiled they will not misbehave.

  • Potential Physical Problems: Properly bred dogs are not likely to suffer from any genetic conditions, but dogs bred for showing, especially in countries where inbreeding is common, may have genetic problems. Most of the serious ones you cannot see, but you can see eye problems, excessive tearing - stained face, ear problems and repeated infections.

Grooming

Body fur is naturally curly, often in small tight clumps of small curly ringlets. Hair on the ears can be straight or slightly curly. Poodles do not shed and are considered a hypoallergenic breed.

Regular grooming is recommended, with occasional baths if your dog does not work as a water retriever, and clipping every six to eight weeks. Ears should be checked regularly for mites and ear hair should be pulled out if necessary. Teeth may need scaling if the dog has a poor diet. Nail trimming needed only if not properly worked.

Clips

If your poodle is a working water retriever you might favour one of the traditional clips: the English Saddle Clip, Continental clip or Lion Clip, with the rear half of the body shaved, bracelets left around the ankles, and pom-poms left on the tail and hips. Otherwise it is kinder for all concerned to stick to the plain Lamb Clip - with hair same length all over, which is also easier and more economical to maintain. Alternatively the Pet Clip" (or Puppy Clip), with relatively short hair all over the body and close shaved paws and nose.

Other

  • The Poodle is often called the "French Poodle" because of its popularity in France, where it is the national dog. Signs in France which show a silhouette of a dog generally feature a dog that is recognisable as a poodle.

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