Poodle Information, Guide to an Excellent Showman How Poodles Got Their Name

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Poodle photo
Large Breed Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) Ear Infection Poodle

Is the Poodle Right For You?

  • 1 Poodle dogs are universally popular for their dainty beauty, but they are also highly obedient.
  • 2 The Poodle is a great dog for any size home and their hypoallergenic fur is easy on allergies.
  • 3 Poodles are very active and require regular professional grooming.

HISTORY

While their origin is still in part a mystery, the Poodle has been around for at least 400 years. Commonly known as the โ€œFrenchโ€ Poodle, the general consensus is that they actually hail from Germany, where they claim to have been using this breed for water retrieval for hundreds of years. The elegant grooming many associate with this breed was in fact first implemented not for the aesthetic, but rather for more practical applications. The fur was shaved away to cut down on drag while in the water, but left on their head and joints to keep those parts of their body protected from the cold.

Quick Facts

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    Size

    Large

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    Lifespan

    12-15 or more years

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    Hair Length

    Short

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    Male Height

    About 15 inches tall at the shoulders

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    Male Weight

    Between 45 and 55 pounds

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    Female Height

    About 15 inches tall at the shoulders

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    Female Weight

    Between 45 and 55 pounds

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    Litter Size

    3-8 puppies

Personality

Poodles are a noble, pleasant, proud, refined dogs with an incredibly high level of intelligence. They are extremely quick learners and have an inherent ability to perform. They are very friendly dogs and they get along well with other dogs and older children. They do require a healthy amount of daily exercise, otherwise they may become high strung and overly sensitive. .

Color

Many different solid colors are accepted in the Poodle, including black, white, brown, sliver, blue, apricot, and red. Some breeders have also started breeding 'Parti-Poodles' which are not one solid color but patches of different colors, though these aren't qualified to be show dogs.

Health Concerns

The average life expectancy of this breed is 12 to 15 years. Ailments that are commonly seen in Poodles are:

  • progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
  • IMHA (Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia)
  • digestive tract disorders
  • heart ailments
  • skin ailments
  • slipped stifle
  • runny eyes
  • ear infections
Appearance

The Poodle has a notoriously curly coat, with long, droopy ears, and a long muzzle. Since they were originally used as water dogs, they have webbed feet. They are athletically built with a strong frame and lean, powerful legs. Their tail is set and held up high.

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