Thinking of owning a pet? Poodles are best for you because they are one of the most wonderful pets. Aside from their excellent and distinguishable features, they are among the most intelligent breeds. They are usually small but you may be surprised to know that there are 3 different sizes. Here are some poodle facts you might find interesting:
Three sizes of poodle are recognized by the American Kennel Club. These are the Standard Poodle, Miniature Poodle, and Toy Poodle. The biggest, standing over 15 inches at the top of the shoulder, is the Standard Poodle. Next, standing ten inches high at the top of the shoulder, is the Miniature Poodle. The smallest is the Toy Poodle, who weighs between six and eight pounds, and is shorter than ten inches at the top of the shoulder.
While Toy Poodles are the smallest of three varieties of Poodle, there are smaller versions that aren’t recognized by the AKC. These are known as Tiny Toy Poodles, which weigh between 4 and 6 pounds, and Teacup Poodles, who weigh in at a diminutive 2 to 4 pounds.
One of the more interesting pet Poodle facts will come as a relief to allergy sufferers. Poodles make superb pets because they do not molt their hair nor does their dander cause allergies. Another plus for poodles as pets is the dogs don’t have a doggy scent.
Carvings of a breed of dog that resembles a poodle, which are one of the oldest known breeds of dogs, are found on Roman and Greek coins. Poodles became an AKC recognized breed in 1890, and became the most popular breed of dog in the United States by the 1960s.
Poodles were popular in France, Russia and Germany since the 1500’s – the French like the so much that they made the Poodle their national dog! They are well known for their excellent hunting skills, especially in water retrieving, in fact the name Poodle comes from the German Pudel which is short for Pudelhund meaning “splashing dog”. Of the three different types of poodles, the standard is the oldest.
Poodles have hair which can range from coarse to soft, and because of this you can give your Poodle a variety of clips or cuts. While the show cut is the most recognizable, Poodles can also sport a continental clip, a puppy clip, an English Saddle Clip or a pet clip. Their hair can also be corded like a Puli or Komondor.
Poodles are an intelligent, spunky, and high energy breed of dog. They love to interact with their humans as much as possible. Poodles need challenging toys and activities that keep them from being bored. Poodles are good protectors and field dogs. Potty training a poodle is easier than most other breed due to their quick learning skills.
A healthy poodle will tend to have a long lifespan. Typically a toy will live to 17 years while a miniature will live about 14 years and a standard poodle will go about 11 1/2 years.
