Poodle Dogs

A white standard poodle standing tall, showing off it's wonderful slender body

A standard poodle with an incredibly groomed brown coat

A beautiful, white coated standard poodle sitting very neatly

A close up of a standard poodle's beautiful, bushy ears and long nose

Two beautifully groomed standard poodles, both with thick, brown coats

A standard poodle slowly trotting towards it's owner

A beautiful adult standard poodle sitting patiently, waiting for command

A beautiful black standard poodle, showing off it's great, big, bushy tail

A wonderful brown coated standard poodle bounding through the grass

An excited standard poodle rolling around on the grass

History

Many believe that the Poodle comes from France, but it is most lley started as a curly coated breed from Asia that made its way to Europe with herders. The Poodle is a great herder and also has a natural love for water. Their curly coat insulates them from the cold water and they are also expert duck hunters. The breed we know today was developed in what is now Germany. They were used as military dogs, guide dogs and in circuses. The French quickly fell in love with the Poodle, especially amongst the “fashionable Ladies” of the time. They are the National breed of France and one of the most popular breeds in the USA.

Behaviour

Poodles are a sharp-witted breed that rarely need telling more than a few times before they learn something. Their minds are quick and training them is easy. They need constant training to get this best out of them, this in turn also helps keep their intelligent minds stimulated. Once they have learnt something, they will never forget it. They are lively and playful, eager to please and very loyal. They make a good family pet and get along well with children, but they do have their boundaries and may snap if they have their tails pulled. They will get on well with other dogs if socialised properly from an early age. With their high intelligence comes freethinking. Poodles need to be trained from day one in order for them to respect and listen to you.

Poodles have a lot of energy and will need a chance to burn it off. A long walk or a swim is a good way to let them blow off some steam, letting them run freely or a thorough play session will help fully tire them out. They love being outside and enjoy exploring every nook and cranny of their surroundings. They will be happiest if you interact with them when outside rather than just walking by their side.

When it comes to their coats, poodles do not shed any fur, but rather it sticks to the surrounding fur and will need brushing in order to prevent matting. They are good for allergy sufferers as they wont leave any fur around the house, Grooming will need to be done by a professional if you want the classic pom-pom cut. If you prefer a more natural look you will still need to clip their coats every six weeks or so to keep it looking tidy.

Temperament

Poodles are an adventurous and intelligent breed. They love to explore their surroundings and will happily spend hours sniffing around new places. They respond well to training and enjoy learning new things. They are good with other dogs, pets and strangers. Poodles are a really nice all-round dog.

Health Problems

Health problems that can affect Poodles include canine hip dysplasia (CHD), luxating patella (dislocation of the knee cap), Addison’s disease, Gastric Torsion (bloat), cancer, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (degeneration of the retina which can lead to blindness), cataracts, glaucoma, ear problems, epilepsy, sebaceous adenitis (where the dog's own immune system attacks its sebaceous glands) and blood clotting disease.