Poodles: description of breeds, types, care and training

Poodles are a popular and talented domestic dog breed that is renowned for its incredible tricks and acrobatic abilities in circus performances. In this article, you will get acquainted with the common types and breeds of poodles, the peculiarities of their maintenance, care and training.

Everything that is precisely known about this breed at the moment indicates its rich historical past, rooted in thousands of years ago. Primitive images of these animals were found on ancient Roman and Greek coins, as well as on the stucco molding of some temples.

At various times, many European countries were considered the homeland of this breed. Most often, preference was given to Hungary, Germany and France, where this breed began to be used in the Middle Ages. Initially, poodles were used exclusively as a hunting breed. - they caught shot prey from reservoirs and marshlands. From German, the word "poodle" literally translates as "swamp" or "puddle", from English puddle also means "puddle".

In French, the breed is called "canish", which comes from the expression chien canard, which translates as "duck hunting dog".

It is believed that poodles were formed by crossing several different breeds at once. Among them were: barbet, bullets, commander, retriever, toy spaniel, bichon. It is known for sure that the breed gained its real popularity in the 18th century, when poodles entered the European market and almost instantly became pets of rich and famous people. Earlier in France, grooming services were opened - specialized salons for the care of dog hair, and with the advent of poodles, their activities were able to gain momentum.

At one time, poodles became the favorites of such famous personalities as Marie Antoinette, Schopenhauer, Ludwig van Beethoven. They all admired the beauty, grace and intelligence of these pets. It is also known that some breeds of poodles were bred specifically for participation in military battles. These dogs could, unnoticed by the enemy, carry food, supplies and reports, as well as find wounded people and drag them away from the battlefield.

This variety received official recognition only in 1886, when the world's first standard of such a breed was published. A little later, a similar document was drawn up in France and Germany. This breed also came to Russia in the 19th century, and dogs became favorite pets of many representatives of the Russian nobility.

The Poodle is one of the few purebred breeds that is immediately recognizable in a crowd of other dogs. The reason for such recognition is the extraordinary hairstyles and haircuts that these animals are awarded by their owners.

Below will be considered the typical characteristics of the appearance of poodles, depending on the variety.

• Royal (large). The largest variety of all poodles. Growth is up to 60 centimeters at the withers, the average weight of an adult is from 20 to 23 kg.

• Small poodle. Up to 45 centimeters at the withers, less weight - up to 8 kilos. Unlike the royal variety, small poodle species need more balanced feeding, however, they do not require a lot of space to play in the apartment.

• Dwarf breeds... Typical dimensions: no more than 35 centimeters in height, they are rarely heavier than 6 kilos in weight.

• Toy poodle. Up to 28 centimeters in height with a weight of no more than 4-5 kg.

Color options for poodles can be completely different. Since the wide distribution of the breed, breeders have achieved impressive results in coat color: peach, snow-white, chestnut, red, gray, and even red shades.

Regardless of the type of breed, all poodles have approximately the same exterior features. Let's take a closer look at them.

• Head. An elongated, slightly flattened shape, the back of the head stands out significantly against the background of the neck. The bridge of the nose is wide and smooth, the muzzle itself is long, significantly narrowed towards the nose. The eyes are small, solid brown or dark in color, occasionally blue shades are found. The nose is remarkably developed, not covered with hair, the color is black, pinkish or brown, the nostrils are clearly visible.

• Ears. Predominantly long ears (sometimes up to the chest), hanging type, covered with a dense layer of curly long hair. The inside of the ears is also covered with hair.The shape is most often rounded, the width of the base is much smaller than the width of the end part.

• Neck. Medium length, gracefully arched, covered with a thick coat that makes it appear overweight and wide.

• The torso. Elongated type, correct proportional shape. The back is not straight, however, there is no deflection. The chest is not wide and almost flat, but due to the hairline it seems to be curved forward. The belly of adults is tucked up, there are no folds. In individuals after pregnancy, folds are masked by the hairline.

• Extremities. Due to the rest of the body and the abundant amount of hair, it seems thin, but healthy animals have excellent musculature on them. Legs set correctly and parallel to each other, also covered with a thick layer of wool. The paws themselves are small, the pads are oval, the toes are closed.

• Tail. In most individuals, it is poorly represented, since it is most often pruned in nurseries at birth. It can grow up to 40 centimeters, however, pedigree individuals with tails up to 7-10 centimeters are often found. The tail is also covered with a thick layer of hair and resembles a hairball. Usually facing upwards or curved into an arc.

• Leather. Pigmented type. In individuals of white, gray or platinum color, the cover of a silvery tone, in individuals of variegated colors, it corresponds to the main shade.

• Wool. There can be two types depending on the variety. The first type: thin, but thick and curly curly hair, soft and springy in texture. The second type: long curls of a cord type, stiff in texture, have little springiness, and are disobedient.

Poodles are an incredibly intelligent breed of dog that has specific character traits. The main character traits strongly depend on the conditions of upbringing and maintenance, which is why it is worth taking time for training dogs from childhood.

• Relationship to family members. Almost from the first days of their acquaintance, poodles are trying with all their might to get in touch with the new owners. They are by nature extremely sociable, they love constant attention and games, they are prone to empathy.

• Attitude towards children. For young children, poodles become true friends. They are their constant companions who will support them in any games, walks and acquaintances. Even when it comes to the appearance of a newborn child in the family, poodles are extremely patient with night screams, whims and harassment.

• Relationship to other pets. When it comes to cats, then poodles are one of the few dogs that can make friends with them. However, a lot here depends on the character of the cat and the age of the poodle itself. It is more difficult for young poodles to make friends with cats - they are too active for them and can cause a lot of injuries to the cat in the heat of the game. Until the age of six months, it is better for a poodle not to contact an adult cat. If we are talking about other breeds of dogs, then poodles do not have any problems with them. But these should be animals of about the same age.

• The need for communication. As already mentioned, poodles are extremely social animals. They literally cannot remain alone for a long time in a closed room. Even an adult poodle will chase you everywhere in your apartment, monitor your business and attract attention with all its might.

• Attitude towards other people. If new people come to the apartment or you met someone from your acquaintances during a walk, do not expect a playful mood and desire from your poodle to get to know each other. In the presence of other people, poodles are slightly timid and fearful, but incapable of open aggression. The maximum that any poodle can afford in relation to strangers is warning barking.

• Vindictiveness. Not a particularly pleasant trait for poodles, which overtakes anyone who is indifferent or dismissive of them. As already mentioned, poodles with all their might attract the attention of the owner. This is reflected in widespread sabotage: gnawed slippers, damaged furniture, puddles and wet wallpaper in a wide variety of places.

• Empathy. With a healthy pet-owner relationship, poodles have amazing empathic abilities. These animals are very sensitive to the state of mind of their owner, they can copy his emotions: rejoice and grieve in non-standard and unusual situations. Poodles will support absolutely all your ideas: from a long hike in the woods or out of town to the usual relaxing on the bed while watching a movie.

The advantages of purchasing poodles will be as follows:

• cheerful, restless and ready for adventure;
• wool very rarely sheds, cleaning is not difficult;
• considered a breed capable of training and exhibitions, has a developed intellect;
• by nature, soft, good-natured, but can stand up for himself and for the owner;
• is the so-called greenhouse breed, that is, it feels great in an enclosed space;
• the breed is presented as elite in many countries;
• the coat does not have a specific dog smell;
• gets along well with all family members, including children.

Minuses:

• despite the remarkable adaptability to the apartment, it needs daily walks in the fresh air;
• capricious and vindictive with a lack of attention;
• to make your pet's coat look nice and tidy, you should regularly take care of it: comb and style.

The average adult poodle doesn't differ much from other pets in terms of life expectancy. Depending on the conditions of detention, the life span of a poodle can vary from 10 to 15 years. The strongest and hardiest individuals live up to 20 years.

The lifespan of this breed, like all other tetrapods, depends on the following factors.

• Quality and conscientiousness of care. Poodles are not recommended for inexperienced owners who do not have the slightest idea about keeping the dog. Some aspects of taking care of a poodle can be difficult for the average breeder.

• Nutrition. It is the second factor affecting the life span of any pets. Poodles cannot be called exceptional gourmets - they are able to eat almost everything that comes to hand, however, there are types of products that are contraindicated for these animals. They will be discussed below.

• Relationship with the owner. A healthy, cheerful and pleasant relationship with the owner not only improves the pet's mood, but actually prolongs its life.

• Heredity. A factor that is almost impossible to somehow control. This usually means that the pet has some genetic diseases that may have been passed on from grandfathers or grandmothers. That is why experienced breeders recommend checking the passports of the puppy's parents when buying a young individual.

• Leisure activities and sports. Poodles are always on the move. Even being within the walls of the house, these pets are unable to sit in one place for a long time. Without regular walks in the fresh air, poodles can completely lose their cheerfulness, become passive and closed.

At the beginning of the material, the main varieties of poodles were already indicated, depending on their size and weight: large, small, dwarf and toy poodle. In this subheading, you can familiarize yourself with the popular varieties, depending on their original color. So, there are the following poodles.

• Harlequin poodle. A breed characterized by a contrasting black and white color with a predominance of white. These individuals are characterized by white limbs, chest, abdomen, occasionally withers, and also a muzzle. The rest of the body is occupied by extensive black spots. The ratio of white to black should be something like this: 60/40.

• Phantom poodle. It is one of the most beautiful generally recognized poodle breeds. The breed differs from the rest by its unique brown-orange color. Dark brown or chocolate color occupies more than 80% of the entire hairline, orange, white or yellowish spots are located on the chest (at the base of the forelimbs), cheeks, the inside of the hind limbs and the outside of the forelimbs, near the very legs.

• Poodle Pointer. It is the result of breeding research for crossing poodles with pointers, cops and setters. The breed is used exclusively for hunting. It differs from the rest of its relatives in a solid brown or chocolate color with a relatively short coat and pronounced long hair on the muzzle.

• Maltese poodle or maltipoo... It was bred by crossing toy poodles with a Maltese lapdog. Differs in extremely small growth - up to 35 cm, and weighing up to 3.5 kilos. The most common colors are red, brown, apricot and white. Poodles differ from their relatives by a rounded head with a blunt muzzle, as well as short and strong limbs. The breed is considered decorative.

Before buying a poodle to your home, you should soberly assess the future conditions of keeping your pet. Before making a purchase, you need to pay attention to the following factors.

• A family. It is worth considering whether a particular poodle breed is right for your family. So, a dwarf or toy poodle should not be bought for families with children. These animals have extremely fragile skeletons and bones. Children playing with an animal can seriously harm it. If this is a family of elderly people, then medium or small type poodles are more suitable here, for which too much care is not required.
• Dimensions. It should be understood that the larger the poodle is, the more food, care and maintenance it needs. In addition, larger breeds are more likely to need walks and plenty of space to play and entertain. The number of feedings per day also depends on the size of the breed.
• Your free time. Poodles, like most domesticated dogs, need constant companionship, play and active rest. If you are always busy at work, household chores or with children, it is better to choose a different breed. In addition to entertainment, training and feeding, you will need to spend hours walking and jogging your dog every day. And she will not wait until you finish your business to add a pile.
• Purchase objectives. It should be said right away that modern poodle breeds are exclusively decorative, and it is worth buying them for this very purpose. They can be a protector for you on the streets, but they will not be able to guard the house.
• The sex of the animal. Even before buying, you need to decide who exactly you want to have - a boy or a girl. Females tend to be more affectionate, easily make contact and quickly establish friendships. But females are in heat from time to time, which can affect their character. Males are more active, restless and sociable, it can be difficult to teach them something. Males will need more time to walk - they will not leave the street until they have marked a few places. There are also problems with puberty.
• The age of the pet. Experienced breeders know that the best time to buy a pet for home is two or three months old. It was at this time that the poodle puppy becomes more intelligent, already knows how to execute elementary commands, is accustomed to walking.
• Climate. Despite their imposing curly coat, poodles are poorly adapted to abrupt climatic recessions and temperature shifts. It is worth considering this if you decide to have a dog in a cold, unstable and often changing climate.

Now you should consider the factors and signs that you need to pay attention to when choosing the puppy himself in the nursery or from private hands.

• Behavior and Activity. This is the first thing to look at when choosing a poodle puppy. Puppies are usually in a good mood, playful, constantly running, and may even bully. This is a sure sign of a healthy poodle with a trouble-free temperament. It is especially worth looking closely at the activity of individuals of the dwarf type.
• Dimensions (edit)... Among the puppies of the same sex, you should choose the one who weighs more and is visually larger in size. Thin and small individuals are often extremely weak and prone to a variety of diseases. Remember that sometimes the entire litter of a female may consist of weak and small puppies, but this does not mean that they are in poor health. The more individuals in the litter, the less their weight separately.
• Eyes. They should be clean, unclouded, without lacrimal "paths", redness, suppuration and dirt. Most of the diseases dangerous for dogs are reflected in the eyes.
• Limbs... The legs of a healthy poodle puppy should be strong, straight and long, with firm pads on the paws. Make sure your pet does not limp or have difficulty running.
• Belly and breast... Regardless of the type of poodle, the animal should have healthy, dense coat without bald patches and bald patches. Pay special attention to the pet's skin - in sick puppies, you can find redness or rash, suppuration on the tummy, chest and under the legs.
• Ears. Very young puppies do not yet have the characteristic thickly hairy pots, so it should be fairly easy to test them. In healthy individuals, the ears should hang down calmly, and the inside should be free of suppuration, scabs or dirt.
• Wool... A lot can be understood from the condition of the coat itself. In healthy animals, it is smooth, swirling, springy under the hands. In sick individuals, bedsores, matted hair, yellowed areas on the skin may be noticeable. Look at the fur around the anus - in healthy pets, it should be clean and dry.
• Parents... Some breeders prefer to judge the condition of puppies by their pedigree.Usually, attention is paid to the merits, mental state and physical health of the parents. It is best to focus on the father in this situation, since in any females after the birth of even the first litter, deformities of the body begin - this is especially true of the skin and fur on the abdomen (folds, bald patch).

Immediately after buying a pet, you should find out what exactly the previous owners fed it. Organize a smooth transition for the puppy to the new diet. Newly born puppies should not be bought - babies should receive from their mother's milk all the vitamins and elements necessary for nutrition in the first days.

Regardless of the size and breed of your poodle, it is adapted exclusively for home keeping within the walls of an apartment. Below you can find the rules for keeping poodles, which will help you to properly care for these animals.

• A place to rest and hibernate. Give your pet its own place - it should be where people constantly walk. It is desirable that the pet's house has good circulation of fresh air (no drafts) and is protected from direct sunlight. Avoid placing the house near radiators and heated walls - with such a thick hairline, excess heat for poodles will be harmful. If possible, arrange a special warm lounger there.

• Toilet. It is immediately worthwhile to understand that a dog is not a cat, and cannot get used to shitting in some strictly defined place. In a sense, this is unnatural for this type of animal.

• Toys and entertainment. The pet spends most of the active time for its activities and games. That is why it is worth buying a few toys for the apartment with which the dog could have fun while you are busy. First of all, you should take care of buying a special vitamin seed. This is especially true of young individuals whose teeth are just beginning to grow. A ball, a squeaker and a toy with a riddle will also be a mandatory attribute for games (a plastic ball with food inside will help distract your pet for a long time and grind its teeth).

Proper housing conditions are not only a good place to rest, toys and walks, but also regular careful care of your pet. Below is a list of procedures that should be carried out with your pet regularly.

• Hair care. The main part of the care of the poodle will depend precisely on the care of the hairline. Without its dazzling springy coat, the poodle turns into an ordinary dog, and therefore it will take a lot of patience and money to care for the coat. The first thing you should buy is a good hair brush or thick comb. Combing is especially important at a young age, when the pet sheds almost every day, changing the puppy's hairline to an adult. Upon reaching the age of six months, the poodle should be combed at least 3-4 times a week.

• Skin care... Pay attention to the condition of your animal's skin - it is on it that more than 30% of all diseases dangerous to the animal are reflected.In order to prevent the formation of abscesses, boils, abscesses, or non-healing wounds, special powders can be used.

• A haircut. Despite popular belief, poodles should not even be sheared for decorative purposes. Over time, the wool grows back, and can interfere with the animal's full movement. Experienced breeders recommend trimming at least once every two months.

• The washing up... Many owners choose to bathe their dogs frequently because of the specific smell. However, poodles do not have this smell, and it would seem that such frequent washing is not so necessary. But this is not the case - the longer your poodle's coat, the sooner it will lose its appearance. To get rid of dirt on the coat or simply wash your pet after a dusty walk, regular bathing without soap or shampoo is fine.

• Ears. It is worth constantly checking your pet's ears for prevention. The cleaning itself should be carried out at least once every two weeks - especially for active individuals who spend a lot of time outdoors.

• Claws. The help of a nail clipper should be used as needed. For young individuals, such procedures may not be necessary - these dogs effectively grind their small claws during outdoor games.

• Eyes. If you observe morning mucus in your poodle's eyes, make it a habit to cleanse your eyes every morning with napkins dipped in cool boiled water.

• Oral cavity. Some of the diseases in poodles are related to the teeth. To protect yourself from these risks, you should brush your pet's teeth with a special brush and paste for dogs at least once a week.

There are currently two ways to feed poodles. The first concerns feeding with ready-made feed - you will have to buy a balanced ready-made feed, which contains all the vitamins and minerals necessary for vital activity. The second method is feeding with natural products, where the owner himself chooses the elements to be fed and can freely introduce some new products into the diet.

Each of these methods has its own advantages and disadvantages. The pros and cons of finished feed will be discussed first.

Pros:

• balanced food, when serving which you need to monitor only the amount of food for a particular breed and size of the dog;
• these feeds a priori contain everything necessary for a full life for both young and adult individuals;
• long-term storage in a dry and ventilated room - up to six months or more.

Minuses:

• high cost if you want to buy super-premium feed (as is necessary for poodles);
• lack of variety in nutrition, due to which the animal may lose appetite;
• the owner will never be completely sure about the composition of the products that he serves to the animal.

Natural food also has its advantages and disadvantages.

The advantages of natural food are obvious.

• The owner independently monitors the quality and process of cooking, therefore, he can be sure of what the animal eats.
• Pets have a much more trusting attitude to natural food.
• Variety - the owner can add some new product or delicacy to the feed at any time. The diet of such food is easy to change and adjust to the current vitamin needs of the pet.
• Even the finest quality natural foods cost less than specialized poodle food.

Cons of natural feeds are also available.

• Exceptionally short shelf life.The calorie content and nutritional value of natural cooked foods is most evident in the first hours after cooking and serving.
• The need to monitor calories, the difficulty of maintaining a balance in nutrients when changing diets, lack of vitamins and minerals.
• Unlike ready-to-eat foods, new portions of natural foods need to be prepared almost every day. It will take much longer.

Despite all of the above, most of the poodle breeders prefer natural feeding with the addition of special vitamin supplements. With such feeding, it is worth adhering to the following recommendations and rules.

• Fresh quality meat. It takes the main place in the daily diet, accounting for about 2/3 of the total amount of food. From meat products it is worth turning to beef and lamb. You can use offal as a substitute. All of the products described above should only be served boiled.
• Fish products. It is fed into the diet not as a main course, but serves only as an additive to replenish phosphorus and other vitamins in the body.
• Fermented milk products. Unlike many other pets, for poodles you just need to buy kefir, cheese or cottage cheese several times a week. They are needed to replenish the vital calcium for the body, which is responsible for the integrity of their skeleton.
• Vegetables, fruits and cereals. The rest of the daily diet should be cereals, fruits and vegetables. It is worth stopping at buckwheat or rice porridges. Vegetables and fruits in this case can serve both as an additive and as a treat. From vegetables, tomatoes, carrots, cabbage, spinach are suitable here.

Poodles have an innate ability to train and learn. It is not for nothing that poodles are so often used in circus performances. Learning and training in the life of these animals is not just a must - they bring real pleasure for a healthy dog. This is especially true for young poodles or puppies, who are ready to obediently follow the commands of their owner for hours on end, consciously honing their skills.

Below you can find a list of rules that must be followed if you want to train a healthy and smart poodle.

• Start learning almost from birth. It is at this age that the animal best remembers all the rules and attitudes. Educating an adult pet can be tricky.
• Any pet should have its own name. It will serve as a kind of reference point for the pet. If you use a pet's nickname with certain commands in relation to a situation, then he is more likely to remember them.
• There should be no violence in teaching. Avoid yelling and open aggression towards pets - they feel it great. Instead, be patient and use a reward method. For every trick you do, treat the poodle with a little treat, give it affectionate praise, or just stroke it.
• Designate closed and open areas immediately. There should be no indulgences in visiting closed places and rooms. As soon as the animal has crossed the border, immediately return it back.
• Train your poodle to grooming procedures. The less your pet twitches during such procedures, the calmer you and him will be. That is why it is worth starting to carry out procedures from birth.
• Only one owner should train an animal. It will be difficult for a pet to get used to a large number of even the same commands from different coaches, because they will be said with a different arrangement and intonation.
• After passing the basis, go to the training of the rest of the teams. The simplest commands for training should be: "beside", "to me", "sit", "voice". Don't forget the reward method.
• Consistency. Classes should be held regularly at the same time. Give them at least an hour a day. After passing the next stage in training, sometimes return to the old material to consolidate.

Most owners note the inquisitive and sharp mind of the poodles. Many are delighted with the learning rate of these animals, as well as their natural beauty and grace. In addition, people notice a complete lack of aggression towards other pets and children.

As for the negative reviews about this breed, they all relate to the difficulties of caring for the delicate coat of poodles. Otherwise, as the owners note, this is an absolutely ordinary dog ​​that requires a lot of attention, love and care.

For more on the characteristics of the breed, see the next video.