In Praise of the Poodle Dog Breed

Poodles are some of the most popular dogs among breeders and pet owners. These elegant animals are believed to have originated in France, but some experts believe that the breed may have roots in Russia.

However, it is commonly agreed that the French are responsible for developing the modern breed into its current three sizes: the standard Poodle, the toy Poodle and the miniature Poodles. In this article, we'll discuss the care of this breed and the health challenges that they may face.

You can have a white, red, apricot, silver, brown or black Poodle, and they can appear in part-color or multi-colors. They have dense, curly, non-shedding fur that requires regular grooming. Most owners choose simple cuts and they are perhaps the most easily recognizable dogs in the world thanks to their distinct clips. 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 to maintain as the adult clips. 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.

The continental clip is the most popular show clip today. The English saddle clip is similar to the continental. The hindquarters are not shaved except a small curved area on each flank, the feet, and bands just below the stifle and above the hock, leaving three pompoms.

Poodles are a bundle of energy, so make sure that you have the time available to take him or her for regular walks. Without enough physical activity and mental stimulation, this dog group can sometimes get into mischief! To avoid any puppy mishaps, it's best to keep your dog occupied with toys and lots of attention. If you don't have much time and energy, then a Poodle is not your best choice for a pet.

With proper care and nutrition, many Poodles live well into their teens. The most common serious health issues of the standard breed are Addison's disease, gastric dilatation volvulus, thyroid issues, epilepsy, juvenile renal disease, hip dysplasia and cancer. The most common issue is ear infections. Ear infections are a problem in all Poodle varieties but can be minimized by proper ear care. A veterinarian should be consulted as soon as possible if the dog shows signs of an infection.

If you're looking for a pet that will love to play and go for walks, then breeders definitely give Poodles two paws up! No matter which kind of Poodle you choose, you'll get a beautiful and intelligent pet to enrich your life.