Poodles dogs - Popular Dogs
The origin of the poodle breed is still a highly debated topic. It is known to have been developed at least 400 years ago but there are various suggestions as to who did the developing. The general consensus today is that the French first bred the poodle, possibly from the French water dog and the Hungarian Water Hound. Poodles were originally used in France and Germany as gun dogs that retrieved water foul from lakes. However the French soon realised that the high intelligence and trainability of the breed made them perfect as circus dogs. Today poodles are generally companion dogs although many are professionally shown.
There are three sizes of poodle; Toy, Miniature and standard. They are all considered to be one breed and are judged as such in competition. The three types are all very similar in the temperaments although the smaller varieties tend to have a bit more ‘bounce’ than the standard variety.
Poodles have a happy, lively personality that is best seen when they are with the people they love. They are wary of strangers although socialisation as a puppy will give them confidence in any situation. Poodles are people dogs and quickly become unhappy if they are left alone or are left out of a family activity. The Standard poodle loves children of all ages but some toy and miniature dogs can become nervous and upset around young, boisterous children.
All poodles are intelligent and very easily trained. They integrate well with other pets and with other dogs when out walking if they are allowed to mix from a young age. The smaller varieties are suitable for life in an apartment as they don’t require extensive amounts of exercise. They do however love to go out and enjoy playing games in the park. The standard poodle has more stamina and so needs more regular exercise. Long walks and a race around the park are perfect for the bigger dogs. One thing to watch though is that poodles have retained their water heritage and so will eagerly dive into a pond without a second thought, especially if there are ducks in the vicinity.
A poodle’s coat can be a chore to look after. Not only does it need daily grooming but it has to be clipped approximately every 6 to 8 weeks. Poodles should also be bathed regularly and they should be carefully checked for mites, especially in and around the ears. Healthy poodles live to about 15 years of age but many will need frequent trips to the vets in later life as eye infections and skin allergies become more frequent. Nevertheless the enjoyment that these gorgeous dogs will give you far outweighs a few trips to the vet.