Videos Poodle Breed Information
Alternative names -
Pudle (Old English),
Caniche
Country of origin -
France and Germany
Classification and breed standards
FCI:|Group
9 Section 2 #172|Stds
AKC:|Standard and
Miniature: Non-Sporting; Toy:
Toy|Stds
ANKC:|Group 7
(Non-Sporting)|Standard, Miniature, Toy Stds
CKC:|Standard and
Miniature: Group 6 - Non-Sporting; Toy:
Group 5 - Toys|Stds
KC
(UK):|Utility|Standard, Miniature, Toy Stds
NZKC:|Non-sporting|Standard, Miniature, Toy Stds
UKC:|Standard:
Gun Dogs; Miniature and Toy: Companion
Dogs|Standard, and Toy Stds
The Poodle is a breed of dog. Toy,
miniature, and standard poodles are distinguished by adult shoulder
height. Poodles come in many colors including black, blue/charcoal,
white, red, apricot, silver, and brown. They also appear in
parti-color, or multi-colors. While the multi-color poodles cannot
be shown in the American Kennel
Club (AKC), Canadian Kennel
Club (CKC) or any Federation
Cynologique Internationale (FCI) conformation ring, they can be shown in
the United Kennel Club (UKC)
show ring and in all performance rings.
The FCI lists the country of origin as France; although some experts believe poodles may
have originated in Russia or Iberia. However, it is commonly agreed that the
French are responsible for developing the modern breed into its
current three sizes: standard, miniature, and toy. Poodles have
been popular all through Europe for
several hundred years, and poodle-like dogs are found depicted on
Roman sculptures.
Poodles are retrievers; or gun dogs,
and can still be seen in that role. The show clips evolved from
working clips, which originally provided warmth to major joints
when the dogs were immersed in cold water. The rest of the body is
shaved for less drag in the water. Poodles are skilled at most
other dog events including agility,
obedience, tracking, and even herding.
They are elegant in the show ring, having taken top honors in
many shows. The poodle coat is dense and generally does not shed.
As a result, the coats in showing condition require extensive care
and grooming. Most pet poodle owners keep their poodles in much
simpler cuts that are easier to care for and require less
grooming.
The name poodle comes from the German word
Pudel, which is short for Pudelhund, which means
"splashing dog". This reflects the breed's use as a
water dog (the word Pudel is
related to the English word puddle).
1. Quick Facts
Poodle
Quick Facts
Toy weight: | 6-9 pounds (3-4 kg.) |
Toy height: | Up to 10 inches (25.4 cm.) |
Miniature weight: | 15-17 pounds (7-8 kg.) |
Miniature height: | 11-15 inches (28-38 cm.) |
Standard weight: | 45-70 pounds (20-32kg.) |
Standard height: | 15 (38cm) or more |
Coat: | Profuse, wiry curly coat (well groomed and clipped)
Activity level: | Medium
Learning rate: | Extraordinarily high
Temperament of toy and miniature poodle: | Sensitive, remarkably
intelligent, highly responsive, pleasant, happy, perky, lively,
demanding, delightful, amusing, clever; some bloodlines may be
high-strung and timid.
Temperament of standard poodle: | Proud, elegant, dignified,
good-natured, highly intelligent, very trainable, pleasant, happy,
sensitive, friendly.
Guard dog ability: | Low
Watch-dog ability: | Very high
Litter size: | ?
Life span: | 12-15 years
2. Appearance
2. 1. General appearance
According to the AKC standard,a poodle should be of moderate
build, neither heavy or insubstantial. It should have an elegant,
balanced appearance, and should carry itself in a "proud"
or "dignified" manner.
Most poodles are proportionally long-legged dogs. They have
dense, curly, non-shedding fur that grows year-round and requires
regular grooming. Most are solid-colored, and many registries only
allow solid colors in conformation shows. "Parti" (short
for parti-colored) poodles have large patches of colors.
"Phantom" poodles have the color pattern of a
black-and-tan dog, although not necessarily black and tan.
Solid-colored poodles may either "hold" their color
(i.e., stay more or less the same color throughout their lives) or
"fade" or "clear" to a lighter shade. Usually,
the ears and the thicker guard hairs hold more of the original
color than other fur.
The tail is usually docked
in the US, less often in Europe. These days, tails, when docked,
are left much longer than in times past. "Bunny like
tails" (very short-docked tails) are now rarely seen except
among puppy millers.
Unlike many breeds, poodles come in a variety of sizes,
distinguished by shoulder height. Standard poodles are 38 cm. (15
in.) and over; miniature poodles are 28 cm. (11 in.) to 38 cm. (15
in.); toys are under 28 cm. (11 in.). These heights are established
by all the kennel clubs in accord. "Teacup" poodles have
also been bred which are very small; however, they are not
recognized as a distinct standard by any of the kennel clubs.
2. 2. Coat
Poodle hair sheds little or not at all, and ranges in texture
from coarse and wooly, to soft and wavy. Poodle show clips require
many hours of brushing and care per week, about 10 hours/week for a
standard poodle. Poodles are usually clipped down as soon as their
show career is over and put into a lower-maintenance cut. Pet clips
are much less elaborate than show clips and require much less
maintenance.
2. 2. 1. Show clips
Many breed registries allow only certain clips for poodles shown
in conformation. In American Kennel Club (AKC) shows, adults must
be shown in the "continental" or "English
saddle" clips. Dogs under 12 months old may be shown with a
"puppy clip". A handful of registries, such as the United
Kennel Club, allow simpler clips.
2. 2. 1. 1. Puppy clip
In the puppy clip, the face, throat, base of the tail and feet
are shaved. The coat may be shaped with scissors for neatness.
Although this clip appears simpler than the other clips, the length
of the hair makes it as difficult (maybe more so) to maintain as
the adult clips.
2. 2. 1. 2. Continental clip
In the continental clip the face, throat, feet and part of the
tail are shaved. The upper half of the front legs is shaved,
leaving "pompoms" around the ankles. The hindquarters are
shaved except for pompoms on the lower leg (from the hock to the base of the foot) and
optional round areas (sometimes called "rosettes") over
the hips. The continental clip is the most popular show clip
today.
2. 2. 1. 3. English Saddle clip
The English saddle clip is similar to the continental, except
for the hindquarters. The hindquarters are not shaved except a
small curved area on each flank (just behind the body), the feet,
and bands just below the stifle (knee) and above the hock, leaving
three pompoms. This clip is now rarely seen in Standard
Poodles.
2. 2. 2. Pet clips
Pet clips can be as simple or elaborate as the owner wants. The
hair under the tail should always be kept short to keep feces from
getting matted in the fur. Most owners also keep the feet and face
clipped short to keep dirt from matting between toes and food from
matting around the dog's muzzle. Beyond the sanitary
requirements, the desired clip depends on the owner's
preference. Some owners maintain a longer clip in winter than
summer, which they brush often to remove tangles and prevent
matting. When mats occur, owners cut or shave off the matted areas,
attempt to achieve symmetry in overall appearance, and wait for the
fur to grow back.
2. 2. 3. Corded coat
In most cases, whether a poodle is in a pet or show clip, fur is
completely brushed out. Poodle fur can also be "corded"
with rope-like mats similar to those of a Komondor. Though once as common as the curly
poodle, corded poodles are now very rare. Corded coats are
difficult to keep clean and take a long time to dry after a bath.
Any poodle with a normal coat can be corded when their adult coat
is in. Corded poodles may be shown in AKC, FCI, CKC and UKC shows.
3. Temperament
Poodles are intelligent, alert, and active. Historically, their
aptitude has made them ideal for performing in circuses across the
globe for centuries. Otherwise notable is this breed's keen
sense for instinctual behavior. In particular, marking and hunting drives are more
readily observable than in most other breeds. Even Toys will point
birds. Classified as highly energetic, poodles can also get bored
fairly easily and have been known to get creative about finding
mischief.
Poodles are extremely people-oriented dogs and, therefore, are
eager to please. They are excellent watchdogs, but unlike some working breeds,
don't usually become "one-person" dogs when they are
part of a family. Standard Poodles in particular tend to be good
with children. Poodles are adaptable and easy to train. Like most
dogs, they appreciate daily exercise, such as a walk or a play
session. Most are fairly agile and athletic.
4. Health
The most common serious health issues of standard poodles
(listed in order of the number of reported cases in the Poodle Health Registry (as of August 20,
2007) are Addison's
disease, gastric
dilatation volvulus (GDV = bloat/torsion), thyroid issues (hyperthyroid and hypothyroid),
epilepsy, sebaceous adenitis, juvenile
renal disease, hip dysplasia, and
cancer. Standard poodles are also susceptible to some health issues
usually too minor to report to the poodle health registry. The most
common of these minor issues are probably ear infections. Ear
infections are a problem in all poodle varieties. Ear problems can
be minimized by proper ear care. A veterinarian should be consulted
if the dog shows signs of an ear infection, lest a minor issue turn
into a major issue.
4. 1. Addison's Disease
Addison's disease is
(as of August 20, 2007) the illness most commonly reported to the
Poodle Health Registry. The number of reported cases of
Addison's disease is nearly twice as high as the next most
common problem (GDV). Addison's disease is characterized by
insufficient production of gluticocorticoid and/or mineralocortoid
in the adrenal cortex. Addison's is often undiagnosed because
early symptoms are vague and easily mistaken for other conditions.
Standard poodles with unexplained lethargy, frequent gastric
disturbances, or an inability to tolerate stress should be tested
for Addison's. Addison's can cause fatal sodium/potassium
imbalances, but, if caught early and treated with lifelong
medication, most dogs can live a relatively normal life.
4. 2. Gastric dilatation volvulus
Standard poodle owners should take special note of the high
incidence of GDV (Gastric
dilatation volvulus) in this breed. Excess gas trapped in the
dog's stomach causes "bloat." Twisting of the stomach
(volvulus or "torsion") causes or is caused by excess
gas. Symptoms include restlessness, inability to get comfortable,
pacing, or retching without being able to bring up anything. The
dog's abdomen may be visibly swollen but dogs can bloat or
torsion without visible swelling. GDV is a dire emergency
condition. If you suspect a dog is bloating, you should not wait to
see if he improves. A dog with GDV requires immediate veterinary
care. The dog's survival usually depends on whether the owner
can get him to the vet in time. It is a good idea for a standard
poodle owner to know the route to the nearest 24-hour emergency
clinic, so time is not wasted looking for directions.
4. 3. Longevity and causes of death
Standard Poodles in UK, Denmark and USA/Canada surveys had a
median lifespan of 11.5 to 12 years. In a UK survey, the most
common causes of death were cancer (30%), old age (18%), GDV
(bloat/torsion, 6%), and cardiac disease (5%).
Miniature and Toy Poodles in UK surveys had median lifespans of
14 to 14.5 years. In Miniature Poodles, the leading cause of
death was old age (39%). In Toy Poodles, the leading causes of
death were old age (25%) and kidney failure (20%).
Some toy poodles can live up to 17 years or even longer if it as
a healthy live and is not over weight.
4. 4. Common illnesses
* Addison's disease
(hypoadrenocorticism)
* Cataracts
* Congenital heart
disease
* Chronic active hepatitis
* Cushing's syndrome
(hyperadrenocorticism)
* Distichiasis
* Entropion
* Epilepsy
* Glaucoma
* Intervertebral disc degeneration
* Lacrimal duct atresia
* Legg-Calvé-Perthes
syndrome
* Progressive retinal
atrophy
* Patellar luxation (Toy and
Miniature)
* Trichiasis
* Urolithiasis.
* Hip dysplasia (Standard)
* Hypothyroidism
* Gastric torsion
* Osteosarcoma
* Patent ductus
arteriosus
* Sebaceous adenitis
* gastric dilatation-volvulus
* Von Willebrand's
disease
5. Poodle hybrids
Poodles are a popular breed to include in intentional crosses
with other dog breeds. In some cases, the purpose of using a poodle
in a cross is to try to retain the non-shedding poodle coat in the
offspring. Sometimes, the only reason appears to be improved
marketing of puppies, in that the "poo" and
"oodle" syllables lend themselves to the creation of cute
names attractive to puppy buyers. Currently, crosses of poodles
with Labrador retrievers ("Labradoodle") or golden retrievers
("goldendoodles") are
very popular. Smaller poodle mixes such as Maltese Poodle mixes, or Maltipoos, are
also becoming quite popular.
A cross between a shedding breed and a poodle does not reliably
produce a non-shedding dog. Most of the offspring will shed to some
extent. Because they often do not shed as much as the shedding
parent, they will usually require regular grooming, including
haircuts. People with dog allergies who want a poodle mix should
spend enough time with the dog to ensure they will not have a
reaction before committing to ownership.
Poodle crosses are considered mixed breed dogs by most
mainstream dog registries, such as the American Kennel Club (AKC),
and are not eligible for registration, even if both parents are
registered.
6. Famous poodles
* Aero, Mao Asada's pet
* Algonquin from Elvira, Mistress of the
Dark
* Atma and Butz, Schopenhauer's pets.
* Basket, Basket II, and Basket III, successive pets of Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas
* Bela, "Weird
Al" Yankovic's poodle who sat on his head for the
Cover of his 2003 album Poodle
Hat
* Boy, pet of Prince
Rupert of the Rhine (1619-1682) and killed at the Battle of Marston Moor.
* Charley, pet of Nobel Prize author John Steinbeck, a black (referred to as
"blue" in the book) Standard Poodle played Charley in the
TV miniseries "Travels with Charley: In Search of
America", based on Steinbeck's
1961 book of the same name.
* Cleo, from Clifford
the Big Red Dog
* Muffin "Mami" Boulanger, pet of Lauren Boulanger
* Daphne, from the third Look Who's Talking
movie
* Fifi, pet of the Finsters on Rugrats
* Fifi, pet of WWE Superstar Rene
Dupree
* Foo-Foo, Miss Piggy's pet on The Muppet Show
* Gigi and Cash, pets of Christian Serratos
* Georgette from Oliver and
Company
* Josephine, prized pet of author Jacqueline Susann; inspiration for her
1963 novel, "Every
Night, Josephine".
* Lerue, famous dog model of K*Mart and Saks Fifth Avenue
fame
* Mephistopheles, incarnated in a poodle as described by Goethe in Faust.
* Mocha, pet of Taiwanese
American business woman Nikki Hsu
* Puff from The Proud
Family
* Rhapsody in White, or 'Butch', of the movie
Best in Show
* Roly, the poodle owned by Sharon Watts in the BBC soap opera EastEnders
* Rufus, pet of Winston
Churchill source: retrieved July 31, 2005
* Teddy, famous dog of radio talk show host Michael Savage
(commentator)Pictures of Teddy
* Yankee Poodle from Captain Carrot and
His Amazing Zoo Crew
Copyright (c) 2008 Kitt Killion Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no Invariant Sections, no Front-Cover Texts, and no Back-Cover Texts. A copy of the license is included in the section entitled "GNU Free Documentation License".
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