The poodle is one of the oldest types of dogs. It is believed that all dogs originate from the wolf, but the structure of the paws of the poodle is very different from that of the wolf, so its origin is somewhat of a mystery.
Images of dogs similar to poodles can be found on ancient ceramics. Similar images are found on objects from the time of the Roman Empire.
There are a lot of portraits of a poodle in European painting; such famous masters of the brush as Rembrandt and Durer willingly painted it.
The poodle was always close to the person. In the Middle Ages, poodles accompanied traveling artists and took part in performances. Poodles helped search for the wounded in the war, provided communications there, and even searched for mines.
It was also used as a hunting and herding dog. However, nowadays this dog has become purely decorative, bringing joy to people simply with its appearance, good disposition and faithful love.
The first dog lovers' clubs were founded at the end of the 19th century. At the same time, their detailed descriptions began to be created - the so-called standards. In 1936, the French standard began to be considered official for poodles. But in the USA, for example, their own continues to operate.
Description and features
The Miniature Poodle breed is the smallest of all poodles. She was bred from a larger representative of the breed (the Great Royal). It differs from other brethren not only in its miniature size, but also in the presence of a fluffy curly coat.
It is believed that the dog was born in the 40s of the 19th century. The main breeder of this breed was a Swiss named Shaitlin. Even then he claimed that he had created perfection. In his opinion, the baby poodle is the most loyal, intelligent and noble in comparison with all known dog breeds.
This dog has a huge amount of talent! For example, due to his amazing artistry, he is trained by circus trainers to perform in the arena. The kid loves it when hundreds of people look at him and applaud. For their sake, he is ready to study and train a lot. Even the most difficult tricks will not scare him. Loves attention from the crowd!
Miniature Poodles are easy to train and perform well.
This amazing and kind dog is suitable for almost everyone. Suitable for indoor use, does not cause many difficulties in care. He sincerely loves people and does not seek to create problems for them. He will get along with a pensioner, a schoolchild and even a formidable hunter. She is ready to share her life with someone who will open up to her and begin to patronize her.
The main feature of the animal is its impressive appearance. It is often started to impress others or to show off to neighbors. But you shouldn't do that! Remember, a pet is a living creature that needs your care and love. By buying it, you accept responsibility for its life and health.
The dog is perfect for those who like to attend show exhibitions. With high-quality representatives of this breed, you will be welcomed at any animal event. He will be registered as a participant without any problems. It is possible that it will take a prize place and generate income.
Of course, the animal will never understand the value of money, but will try to win in order to win as many human hearts as possible. Yes, it just loves attention. Despite their kindness and balance, toy poodles have aristocracy and grace. Their gait is cheerful and at the same time majestic, and their gaze is friendly and inspiring respect.
Poodles were previously used for hunting
Who should start
All types of motley poodles get along with people.
Pets will brighten up the everyday life of lonely people and will be faithful friends for teenagers. They play great with kids, but you should avoid purchasing miniature representatives of the breed. Dogs will be happy to walk with pensioners.
Expert opinion
Anna Abramenko
An avid dog lover. Experience in veterinary medicine since 2009.
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It is not recommended to have such animals, which require communication and attention, for people who are absent from home for a long time due to the nature of their work. Dogs experiencing emotional attachment feel very sad and may even get sick.
It is advisable to keep the Royal Large Poodle in spacious mansions. The rest of the dogs quickly adapt to the apartment.
Breed standard
The toy poodle dog is small in size and weight. It was created with almost complete preservation of the parameters of the “standard”, that is, the large royal poodle. Despite its cute appearance, this dog has a lot of strength. He is agile, resilient and very nimble.
The body of the dwarf poodle is compact and harmonious. Weighs from 4.5 to 5.5 kg. The body weight of some representatives of the breed is in the range of 3.5-3.9 kg. They are also considered purebreds, but are much more expensive because they are born extremely rarely.
The height of the dog is from 27 to 33 cm. Errors are allowed. The shape of the body is rectangular, it is strong and elegant, slightly oblong. The back is shortened, and its narrowing is visible in the croup area. The lumbar region is well defined. The chest is oval, wide, and does not protrude.
The representative of the breed is very graceful, primarily due to the well-tucked up belly. His silhouette is graceful, clearly defined, not blurry.
The tail is straight, located high on the back. According to the standard it can be cropped. But individuals whose owners do not plan to register at show events do not need to have their tail docked; it will not become a hindrance to them at all. The limbs are set straight and symmetrically. The rear ones are wider apart than the front ones. The muscles on the thighs are strong and elastic.
The dog has a slightly elongated neck. The withers are well defined, the scruff of the neck is visible and palpable. The head is harmonious and has the correct shape. Very smooth transition from muzzle to forehead. Slightly elongated skull with a barely convex occipital protuberance. The muzzle is miniature. The jaw is powerful, the set of teeth is complete.
The ears are set low, in line with the eyes. Large, thick, hanging down. Covered with hair along the entire length. The lips are pressed tightly to the teeth, moderately moist. Has black pigmentation. A dark gum line can be seen along the entire length of the mouth. There may be pinkish spots of varying diameters on the oral folds.
The nose is large and black. The nostrils are wide. The eyes are dark, black or brown. The shape is oval, not planted deep. The miniature poodle in the photo looks like a big toy. He is sweet, handsome and charming. The coat is long, lush and curly. The shortest hairs are about 20 cm long. They are delicate to the touch. They cut their hair well.
Acceptable color options for poodles:
- Pure white.
- Pure black.
- Silver or blue.
- Brownish.
- Apricot.
In Russia, individuals with a hint of harlequin fur are often found. They are standardized only here.
Basic colors
Dogs of different colors
Many people wonder about the poodle breed - what are its official colors? They can only be in options such as coffee, silver, red, black, white, apricot. The most famous color is with black and snow-white coat.
The latest changes to the standards were made in 2007, when the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) recognized such color variations as black and tan, harlequin, white and black. Their matings can only be made between individuals of the same color. Physiology and genetics confirm that unusual colors do not carry anything unhealthy for the animal and are not genetic markers of hereditary defects.
All representatives of the breed have dense pigmentation of elastic, smooth skin that matches the coat color, except for white individuals, whose dermatological coat is more silvery. Experts say that multi-colored individuals differ not only in color, but also in temperament.
Important! Unacceptable faults that disqualify poodles for exhibition: non-uniform coat, snow-white markings on the paws.
Black
Refers to frequent and well-known. Dominant and recessive genes determine the pure black, immaculate color of the poodle.
Standard Requirements:
- wool without spots;
- black mucous membranes and nose;
- dark brown eyes, almost black;
- skin – gray, bluish.
Important! Very short ears, pale, limp or very hard coat are serious faults.
Black poodles are likely to give birth to kittens of various colors, including unusual ones.
Silver
A special feature of the silver poodle's exterior is that its puppies appear black and lighten as they grow older. It is impossible to say right away what they will be like. As a result, you can get, for example, a white poodle with gray spots on the ears.
Silver suits can be:
- clean – blue, asphalt, marengo;
- with gray hair and similar shades.
At the pre-color stage, young poodles have light legs and bellies, and a darker back.
Brown
Brown dog Dogs
of this color, the color of which does not change with age, are very rare. By genotype they are close to blacks. In exhibition conditions the following are acceptable:
- coffee and light coffee;
- different shades of brown;
- coffee or light brown with gray hair.
Usually, interspersed with bleached hairs are detected throughout the body, which provokes clearing with age. The intensity of the coat color should not soften to a light brown or even more bleached tone.
Additional Information! Mating black males with brown knots helps improve the overall appearance of the breed and the properties of the coat.
Apricot
This beautiful color should be solid and smooth without any predisposition to red, white, cream, coffee and derivative nuances. At the same time, black pigment is concentrated on the dermatological surfaces of the eyelids, lips and nose. Dark areas lighten with zonal coloring, when light and bright pigments alternate on the hairs. Snow-white chest hair is considered a fault.
Red
The mechanism of origin of this color is not fully understood, so it is of particular interest to breeders. Uniform colors are preferable, but other natural color variations are not considered a disadvantage. The red curly poodle may fade to lighter colors with age.
Interesting to know! If you cross an apricot poodle with a red poodle, the puppies will have reddish fur.
Character
The life position of the dwarf poodle is very active. This is not the kind of dog that will sleep peacefully at the front door during the day. How can he rest when so many interesting things are happening in the world? The dog rarely gets tired in the first half of the day, even if he moves a lot. This is due, first of all, to its excellent endurance.
She loves entertainment and fun games. Prefers to spend time with its owners. But he can keep himself busy on his own, especially if he has bright toys at his disposal.
Note! The Poodle is one of the most social dog breeds. He loves to communicate with animals and people, and is afraid of loneliness like fire. Never leave him alone for a long time.
All poodles, without exception, are naturally curious. They never sit still, especially in the morning. They run after the owner, play, watch other pets, etc. They sleep mainly at night.
Very smart. Not prone to laziness. A well-mannered representative of the breed understands his owner perfectly. Easily and quickly absorbs information and remembers commands. Capable of empathy and compassion. Treats owners tenderly. He gets along well with children, especially if they are friendly to him.
A little intrusive, but out of harm, but out of the need to always feel human love. Vulnerable and tremulous by nature. A good companion. Prefers to spend time with family rather than alone.
Important! If your toy poodle is withdrawing from you and sleeping a lot, he may be sick. This behavior is not typical for healthy representatives of this breed.
Such a mischievous dog has one significant drawback - severe jealousy. The owner is extremely important to him. Without it, he loses self-sufficiency and becomes vulnerable. In great need of care and love. When he sees that the owner is giving attention to someone else, he suffers greatly. He may even bite in retaliation. Prone to offense, but not vindictive.
Prefers to be in human rather than animal company. The owner has a negative attitude towards other pets. He doesn't like it when household members pay attention to other pets. It cannot be used as a house watchman, as it is peaceful in nature.
Wariness and suspicion are not characteristic of poodles, so they warmly welcome every guest, but are not polite to everyone. These dogs are selective in social contacts; they are not friendly to every stranger. Representatives of the breed make friends with kind and cheerful people, as they find similarities with them.
Quite fearful. May be frightened by a loud sound, a suspicious person or a bully dog. At this moment, it is better to pick him up and calm him down. You should not scold your pet for a strong display of emotions. He is impressionable and vulnerable by nature.
Miniature Poodles have an easy-going, friendly personality.
Puppies
An important point in purchasing a pet is its choice, and this is not an easy task. To avoid making a mistake, it is recommended to follow some rules.
Choosing a puppy
The first visit to the breeder should not end with the purchase of the first quadruple you like. It is worth spending some time on observations, namely, paying attention to how the young animals feed, play, and evaluate external data.
The choice is made in favor of a mobile animal. The smallest in size, characteristic of a particular variety of poodle, may be the weakest in the litter, which will inevitably affect health.
Healthy puppies have clean eyes and no discharge or traces of tears. Mobility, movements without signs of lameness, curiosity - these are the qualities that dogs that do not have health problems are endowed with. The presence of matted hair under the tail indicates problems with digestion.
Price
Professional breeders offer to purchase puppies of this breed at prices ranging from 25,000 to 50,000 rubles. It all depends on how much is invested in the dog and its provision. Conscientious owners purchase high-quality food and also conduct regular veterinary examinations of their pets. If there are titled parents, the price of a puppy often doubles.
Dogs without pedigrees are offered in the range from 12 to 18 thousand rubles. A lower price may indicate a defect in the pet or a serious illness.
Care and maintenance
Poodles move around a lot during the day. These are very energetic creatures that need long walks. You can live with them not only in a house, but also in an apartment, the main thing is to go out into the fresh air more often. The ideal option for relaxing with such a pet is in nature. He loves to run in the forest, especially when the weather is sunny, swim in water, but not deep, bring a ball to the owner, etc.
Therefore, when going on an outing with friends, do not forget to take your dog with you! You will have to bathe your fluffy dog often. Fortunately, he enjoys this procedure, so he does not resist when he finds himself in a full bathtub. When shampooing your animal, be careful not to let any water get into its ears.
Gently rinse his eyes. Lather each paw, making sure to thoroughly clean out any dirt between the pads. In addition to the main detergent, shampoo, we recommend using animal conditioner. At the end of the procedure, the dog should be thoroughly dried with a towel.
If you wash it in winter, especially in a cool apartment, it is better to dry it additionally with a hairdryer. Otherwise, he may catch a cold. After these manipulations, the dog should be combed with a comb. It is important to “walk” it all over her body, paying special attention to the area under the ears.
Important ! The Miniature Poodle is perfect for dog owners with allergies. It has hypoallergenic wool, which, moreover, does not shed at all.
If you notice that your dog's fur is coughing or matted, we recommend using a spray bottle to spray moisture on it and then combing it. Her fur grows very quickly, so she will have to resort to the services of a groomer often, every 3-4 weeks. We do not recommend cutting such an animal yourself.
Poodle ears require special care. They are washed out of sulfur very carefully so as not to injure the delicate skin near the canals. If excess moisture gets into the ears, inflammation cannot be avoided.
Characteristics
Country of origin
France
Size
average
Height
Standard: 37–39 cm Miniature: 28–30 cm Toy: 25–28 cm
Weight
Standard: 20.5–30 kg Miniature: 12–14 kg Toy: 6.5–7.5 kg.
Age
12–18 years old
IFF breed group
companion dogs
Brief information
- an energetic, brave and very friendly dog that even a child can train;
- very active, need long walks;
- require special attention in grooming.
Nutrition
Poodles are real gobblers. They behave as intrusively as possible when they see food in the hands of household members or their guests. They can make the cutest face in order to beg for a piece. Remember, you cannot feed purebred dogs from your table! Their stomach is not able to digest every product.
Miniature Poodle puppies should eat:
- Lean meat (turkey, veal, beef, chicken).
- Lean fish. It is important to clean it before giving it to your dog.
- Chicken eggs.
- Boiled porridge.
- Soups.
- Kefir or milk.
- Hard cheese and cottage cheese.
In addition to water, they should drink milk. You can boil it first. Your pets should always have access to clean drinking water. At 6 months of age, the baby can be gradually transferred to another product - wet or dry food. We recommend adding a small amount of the product to a bowl of porridge or soup. This will allow you to quickly get used to the change in diet.
Selection rules
Having decided to get a poodle, they immediately decide on the size of the dog.
Miniature varieties are not suitable for families with small children. They, playing with the dog, can injure its fragile bones.
Expert opinion
Anna Abramenko
An avid dog lover. Experience in veterinary medicine since 2009.
Ask a Question
Medium-sized breeds are recommended for older people. A large poodle will satisfy the needs of hunters and active sports people.
When examining poodle puppies, pay attention to the following indicators:
- activity;
- clean eyes without streaks;
- straight, strong limbs;
- no rashes on the stomach;
- snow-white sharp teeth;
- silky soft wool without tangles;
- large ears without dirt inside.
When trying to purchase a dog for exhibition activities, they check the pedigree.
Reproduction and lifespan
The miniature poodle has joined the ranks of long-lived dogs. With proper nutrition and good care, he will live at least 15-16 years. The breeder must be able to distinguish a miniature poodle from a toy. They are very similar, but still different. It is advisable to breed individuals of the same breed species. It is important that they are not related to each other, since in this case they will not have to wait for healthy offspring.
It is necessary to count the date favorable for conceiving offspring and take the bitch to the male on the 3rd day of her heat. She gives birth to from 1 to 6 puppies. Childbirth can be complicated, so when she starts having contractions, we recommend calling a veterinarian.
List of nicknames
When choosing a suitable name for a poodle, owners focus on external characteristics, behavioral skills and their own preferences.
Popular nicknames for boys:
- Ice, Cupid, Apollo, Archie, Buggy, Bucks, Baron, Bim, Bont;
- Duke, Gray, Gucci, Jack, Jerry, James;
- Kai, Clyde, Claude, Larry, Leo, Mike, Montin;
- Nice, Nick, Nortis, Onyx, Oscar;
- Plato, Pele, Persian, Fluff;
- Rich, Rolf, Simon, Skif, Smile, Spikey, Sultan;
- Teddy, Fry, Heidi, Chucky, Charlie, Shah, Eric, Ernie.
Nicknames for girls:
- Isa, Alma, Bertha, Bessie, Beta;
- Dana, Jessie, Dina, Dolly, Vega, Venus, Vesta;
- Gabi, Gerda, Gloria, Diya, Doxie, Dosya;
- Zara, Zita, Zlata, Kenya, Cleo;
- Laura, Molly, Nika, Ollie;
- Sally, Selina, Stacy, Sandy, Susie;
- Terry, Thea, Tosya, Ulma, Chita, Sherry;
- Alice, Elsa, Emmy, Utah.
Price
Only the breeder from the nursery will provide you with a guarantee that the dog fully complies with the accepted international standard. Therefore, if you would like to take your pet to show exhibitions in the future, be sure to purchase a pedigree for it.
The price of a miniature poodle with documents from the nursery is from 7 to 15 thousand rubles. Some breeders artificially inflate the cost of these dogs, selling them for more than 30 thousand rubles. We do not recommend working with them!
Varieties of Poodle
Poodle breeds are differentiated by their size and body structure. There are four main options:
- Big poodle. It is also called royal. Height is 45-58 cm. A serious dog to handle.
- Medium poodle (aka small). It is a smaller copy of the big one. Height 35-45 cm.
- Miniature Poodle. Height 28-35 cm. An even smaller version of the poodle, ideal as a pet.
- And finally, a toy poodle, up to 28 cm tall, a real living toy. There is no official standard for them yet.
Based on their coat type, poodles are divided into curly and corded. The curly poodle's coat evenly and thickly covers the entire body, curly in rings and curls. The corded one has wool twisted into long cords.
Raising and socializing a dog
The poodle is a very artistic breed, so it is recommended to organize its training process like a circus performance. He is a born artist, so he needs spectators and encouragement. If you want to teach him simple commands, invite your household members to sit next to him and watch the process. Let them clap their hands every time the dog has completed the task. This is a great training method!
To teach such a pet complex acrobatic tricks as quickly as possible, walk him often. Yes, having gained new emotions and vivid impressions, he will try to earn approval. Don't forget that poodles are one of the smartest dogs that can be taught to do almost anything, for example, they can fetch slippers for their owners or carry their own leash.
By the way, about walking. Representatives of the breed love to walk in different places, and for quite a long time. But this does not mean that they can be indulged in everything. They should not pull on the leash. But, if this does happen, we recommend taking action. Pull your pets firmly and stop from time to time. This way they will quickly learn to understand that a person is in control of the walk.
Some tips for home socializing your toy poodle:
- Don't leave him alone, locked in a room. This dog doesn't like to be alone.
- Be there when he meets your other pets. The dog should understand that you are protecting him and, if something happens, will protect him.
- If another dog notices your pet while walking, pick it up.
Poodles have good health and are long-lived.
You should teach him as early as possible, firstly, to respond to a nickname, secondly, to go to the toilet on the street, and not in the house, and thirdly, to treat each family member with respect. Reprimand an animal if it barks for no reason, shows aggression towards anyone, or refuses to obey.
Story
A number of researchers believe that the birthplace of the French poodle is Germany. This is due to the name of the breed. It is based on the German word puddeln. Translated it sounds like “splash in the water.”
When studying the history of the dog, it can be noted that another version takes precedence. It follows from it that the poodle breed was bred in France.
Since 1936, the adorable pets have been considered a symbol of this country, where the name is caniche, which means “duck” in Russian. This is evidence that poodles are descended from hunting animals, which include French water dogs.
Possible diseases and methods of treating them
Unfortunately, representatives of this breed are sickly. Doctors discover cataracts or otitis media in almost every poodle at the end of its life. Genetically, such dogs are predisposed to many eye and ear diseases. They cannot be treated without professional help.
Also common among them are: hip dysplasia, osteochondrosis, diabetes mellitus and other diseases. In dogs that suffer from ailments of the joints and muscles, coordination of movements is impaired. They should not be exhausted by stress; it is better to create comfortable conditions for home rest.
But those who are faced with diabetes or allergies will have to follow a diet. Less commonly, toy poodles are diagnosed with cancer. If malignant tumors are detected early on the surface of dog organs, it is possible to save them in an operable manner.
Health
In general, poodles are healthy animals with enviable endurance and optimism. But diseases inherent to the breed still exist:
- Addison's disease - insufficient production of adrenal hormones leads to stomach problems.
- Bloat is a problem that requires veterinary attention.
- Optic nerve hypoplasia – leads to blindness or incorrect image perception.
- Retinal atrophy is a genetic disease.
- The tumor, benign or malignant, often appears in dogs of old age.
- Chronic active hepatitis is not completely cured, but the progression of the disease is inhibited.
- Hypothyroidism is a problem of the thyroid gland.
- Hearing problems.
Searching for a spouse.
The search for a partner for a bitch should begin after a conversation with the breeder. Maybe he will not only advise which manufacturer to choose, but also give the address and telephone number of its owner. You need to look for a spouse for your bitch among the males who already have show grades and permission to breed. If you are not sure about the right choice, seek help from the club’s dog handler and, of course, your breeder. A female dog's heat lasts approximately 21 days. As a rule, fertile days (when there are the most mature eggs) occur on days 11-13 of estrus. Although there are significant individual deviations - from 8 to 21 days! A bitch in heat should be protected from accidental matings. When walking, don’t let even your Obedience Champion off the leash. The instinct to procreate is the strongest. What to give a poodle? How and what to feed a poodle puppy and an adult pet? When talking about dog nutrition, many owners immediately decide that the main food is meat. However, only meat feeding can kill a dog. From the very first days, a reasonable owner will establish a balanced diet, including a sufficient amount of proteins, fats, vitamins for dogs, minerals and trace elements. A poodle's diet should consist of animal and plant foods containing all the substances necessary for the body.
It has been established that to ensure the normal functioning of a dog’s body, 1 kg of body weight per day requires: proteins 4-5 g, fats - 1-2, carbohydrates - 12-15, mineral salts - 8-10 g; vitamins: A – 1-5 mg, B1 – 0.5, C – 10, B2 – 2-3, PP – 10 mg.
FALSE PUPTY
5-8 weeks after the end of estrus, the dog's nipples may become enlarged and other signs of true pregnancy may appear. This is the so-called false, or imaginary placiness. Dogs drag toys to their place, place them under the nipples from which milk flows, and take the pose of a nursing mother. They go outside reluctantly, after a short walk they hurry home, rush to the toy “puppies”, sniff and lick them... Helping the dog in this case consists of changing the feeding diet and giving it sedatives. Dairy products are completely excluded from the diet. You should not express milk from your dog's nipples. It is necessary to consult a veterinarian. The doctor will prescribe the dog sedatives and psychotropic drugs in appropriate doses and the dog will quickly recover.
Puberty, mating
Puberty in dogs begins early. Females usually reach sexual maturity at 6-8 months of age, males at 12-16 months of age. At this time, animals experience a desire to copulate. Dogs, especially females in heat, must be carefully monitored to prevent early and unwanted mating.
True physical development in bitches is completed only at the age of 18–24 months. Males are allowed to breed from 18 months. To breed poodles, you should use bitches over 24 months of age.
During the year, the bitch has two sexual cycles with an interval of 6 months. Each sexual cycle ends with estrus, or mating. At this time, the dog experiences swelling and an increase in the size of the external genitalia, mucus is released from the genital slit, initially bloody, on the eighth to tenth day reddish, then lighter.
Discharges have a specific property - they serve to transmit information to the opposite sex about the bitch’s readiness for reproduction and spread over long distances. The dog at this stage becomes playful and easily excitable. In a current bitch, the mammary glands sometimes become enlarged, and milk may be released in small quantities. During this period, the bitch should be walked only on a short leash and accidental matings should not be allowed.
Mating is carried out on days 9-14 from the date of the start of estrus. Only healthy animals, previously examined by a veterinarian, are allowed to breed. There are two methods of knitting: freestyle and manual. Freestyle mating: the dog and the bitch are left together for a while. This method is used when the bitch shows a clear interest in the male, and the latter already has some experience. When hand-knitting, animals are given assistance. This method is used when mating a young bitch who, when a male dog approaches, behaves restlessly and snaps. It is recommended to put a muzzle on the bitch to prevent her from biting the dog. During mating, the bitch must be caressed, holding the collar with one hand and the belly with the other.
Mating is best done in the morning, before feeding, after walking the dogs well.
Before the end of sexual intercourse, it is prohibited to forcibly separate animals.
The second, control, mating is usually carried out to ensure that the bitch is fertilized one or two days after the first.
The mating dates are recorded and the estimated due date is determined from them.
