Poodle: the small dog with a thousand talents that everyone likes
Poodle: the small dog with a thousand talents that everyone likes
Written by Silvia Capelli
October 4, 2023
Poodle: The Most Intelligent Among Small Dog Breeds
The Poodle breed, more commonly known as Poodle in smaller versions or Poodle in English, is undoubtedly one of the world's most beloved small dog breeds.
The breed is recognized in 4 size variants:
Standard Poodle
Medium Poodle
Miniature Poodle
Toy Poodle
The most popular variants are the two smallest, and we will focus particularly on the Toy and Miniature Poodles. If you are a fan of the Standard Poodle, read our dedicated article.
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History of the Poodle
The origins of the breed are uncertain, as countries such as France, Italy, or Germany could have given birth to this noble variety of dog.
Germany claims that the modern Poodle descends from an Asian breed brought to Germany in ancient times, and that its name (Pudel in German and Poodle in English) comes from the German word Pudein, meaning "to splash."
Since the Poodle was particularly widespread among companion dogs in France as early as the Middle Ages, the general belief is that it is of French origin.
Indeed, it may descend from the Barbet breed, from which it may have inherited its name.
However, it does not have a beard like its illustrious ancestor, from whom it differs greatly in appearance and character: the rustic and wild Barbet only shares its curls with the noble and refined Poodle!
The Poodle has not always been a companion and apartment dog: before becoming the passion of court ladies in the 8th century, its function was that of a hunting dog, especially for retrieving waterfowl, particularly wild ducks and coots.
It was also a good rat hunter when needed, and its thick coat protected it from brambles and weather, making it visible to hunters from long distances.
But the fortune of this splendid breed began when displaying a well-groomed Poodle at the French court was considered a symbol of wealth and nobility, so it became normal for noblewomen to always carry one with them.
Various testimonies of its presence at court can be found in many works of the time. Even Louis XIV in the 1600s loved to be surrounded by them at the Court of Versailles.
In addition to many French noblewomen, Napoleon also passionately took to the Poodle, bringing his faithful Mustache into battle: the fearless little warrior even earned a field decoration for bravery shown in the Battle of Austerlitz.
Legend has it that a French flag bearer was mortally wounded and surrounded by enemies; although dying, the young man tried to protect the Napoleonic flag by wrapping it around his body.
Moustache could not help the young soldier, but managed to save what he had given his life for: he managed to bring the flag back behind the French lines.
The brave animal was thus awarded a medal of honor; he was also registered in the regiment's book as a full-fledged soldier and earned the right to rations and pay.
Unfortunately, his life as a soldier was cut short by a Spanish cannonball at the age of 12, during the siege of Badajoz.
History tells us of the praises of many Poodles who distinguished themselves in battle for courage and loyalty: besides Moustache, there were many others who honored themselves in war as soldier dogs.
There were many specimens that accompanied their masters into battle and defended them with their lives, showing that this breed, born among the splendors of courts, also had great qualities as a war dog.
Poodles were widely used as soldier dogs even during World War II, so much so that in the United States a campaign was launched to recruit specimens for use in the army; the poster featured the image of two Poodles.
European courts and battlefields were not the only place where this splendid breed distinguished itself: in the 1700s, Poodle dogs began to be the stars of many circus shows, thanks not only to their innate charm but also to their great intelligence and ability to quickly learn any type of exercise required.
The breed standard was established in 1936 in Germany, and since then the Poodle has had an incredible spread, becoming one of the most beloved small dog breeds worldwide.
Character of the Poodle
The Poodle not only boasts an elegant appearance but also a gentle and playful temperament, marked intelligence, and great vitality, making it the perfect companion for families with members of all ages.
Toy and Miniature Poodles are ideally sized for apartment living, don't require excessive physical activity, and while they love to go out, they're also happy spending time with the family.
This dog truly loves everyone, children, adults, and the elderly. It is not territorial or possessive and does not tend to run away.
Generally, it is compatible with its own kind, other pets, and strangers.
If there’s a flaw to be found, like most small breeds, it might bark.
In reality, this depends on the individual dog, but some Poodles can be quite noisy, especially when left alone at home.
And speaking of which, another sensitive point: the Poodle hates being alone. Therefore, if you're busy all day and would leave it alone at home for too long, the Poodle might not be the right breed for you, especially if adopted as the only dog.
Physical Characteristics of the Poodle
Given the widespread popularity of our noble companion animal, resulting in less attention to pure breed lines, it might be difficult for a prospective owner to recognize a specimen with the correct breed characteristics.
If your Toy or Miniature Poodle has a Pedigree, these should be its physical characteristics, which we have summarized but you can read in full in the ENCI standards.
Note: these are the standards set by FCI and ENCI and are therefore valid for Europe. Size, color, or coat standards admitted by AKC or other federations, such as the Canadian one, may differ. For more information, check the standards of the country of interest.
The photos on this site may represent both FCI standards and those of AKC or other federations.
Character of the Poodle
The Poodle not only boasts an elegant appearance but also a docile and playful temperament, pronounced intelligence, and high vitality, making it the perfect companion for families with members of all ages.
Toy and Miniature Poodles have the ideal size for those living in apartments. They don't require excessive physical activity and, while they enjoy going out, are also happy spending time with the family.
This dog truly loves everyone: children, adults, and the elderly. It is not territorial or possessive and does not tend to run away.
Generally, it is compatible with its own kind, other pets, and strangers.
If a flaw must be found, like most small breeds, it might bark.
In reality, this varies from dog to dog, but some Poodles can be quite noisy, especially when left alone at home.
On this note, another sensitive point: the Poodle detests loneliness. Therefore, if you're busy all day and would leave it alone at home for too long, the Poodle might not be the right breed for you, especially if adopted as the only dog.
Physical Characteristics of the Poodle
Given the widespread popularity of our noble companion animal, resulting in less attention to pure breed lines, it might be difficult for a future owner to recognize a specimen with the correct breed characteristics.
If your Toy or Miniature Poodle has a Pedigree, these should be its physical characteristics, which we have summarized but you can read in full in the ENCI standards.
Note: these are the standards set by FCI and ENCI and therefore valid for Europe. Size, color, or coat standards admitted by AKC or other federations, such as the Canadian one, may differ. For more information, check the standards of the country of interest.
The photos on this site may represent both FCI standards and those of AKC or other federations.
FCI Breed Group
Group 9
2A Poodles
Without working trial
Size of the Poodle
The four varieties of poodle differ exclusively in size. These are the small size variants:
Toy Poodle: height at the withers 24-28 cm. The toy variant is recognized by FCI and ENCI only if the minimum height is 24 cm, as below this it could be a case of dwarfism. The ideal weight is 3-5 kg.
Miniature Poodle: height at the withers 28 – 35 cm, ideal weight 5-8 kg.
Among the small poodle breeds, the Medium Poodle is also often mentioned, but it is the least popular of the four sizes.
Medium Poodle (or Standard Poodle): height 35-45 cm, ideal weight 8/14 kg.
An interesting fact: the toy dog breed does not exist, the only true recognized toy variant is that of the Poodle.
However, size variants defined as TeaCup, Mini Toy, etc., are not part of the breed standards, as their size is generally below 24 cm.
Dogs of this size are considered the result of reckless selection, and consequently cannot participate in competitions.
Type of Coat and Hair
The coat of Poodles is soft and abundant, with dense and consistent curls. There are two varieties:
Curly coat, with uniformly equal curls
Corded coat, with hair forming cords that must measure at least 20 cm in length
The Poodle's coat is continuously growing and there is no undercoat, so this dog does not shed.
This welcome characteristic means that this breed is considered hypoallergenic: the Poodle does not shed hair, and consequently does not cause allergies in sensitive individuals.
Colors of the Poodle
The Poodle's coat has an infinite variety of colors and patterns, some of which are quite common but not recognized by FCI, while they are by other Federations, such as AKC.
Solid Color
The officially recognized colors are shades of white, fawn (or red fawn, a tone that also includes some variants such as apricot), brown, gray, and black.
Multicolor
The most common variants in multicolored Poodles are as follows:
Classic Particolored Poodle: the coat is white at the base and must be clean. The spots can be brown, apricot, black, gray, red, or brindle, a speckled pattern with various colors. They must be arranged harmoniously (the part of the body is not important, but the pattern must be aesthetically pleasing) and not exceed 50% of the total body surface.
Brindle Poodle (or sable): a less common variant, dark base color with brindle spots in different shades of fawn. The particular characteristic of the brindle sable Poodle concerns the color change: the puppy is born very dark, but the fur gradually lightens with adulthood, in some cases becoming light with dark stripes.
Mismark Poodle: a fairly common variety, all solid colors are allowed. However, the spots must be very few and located on the chest, throat, tip of the tail, and feet.
Tuxedo Poodle: as the name suggests, the Tuxedo Poodle must have spots positioned in a very specific way, to make the coat look like a tuxedo. In other words, the upper part must have a solid and uniform color while the lower part, from the neck to the abdomen, must be clean white. The legs must also be partly white, and a white blaze on the head is accepted.
Phantom Poodle(or Black and Tan, or Tan Poodle): for this variant, the tan markings must be located in particular points, such as above the eyes, on the sides of the muzzle, under the tail, and on the feet. The tan markings should also stand out prominently against the base. Accepted variants include gray/cream tan, black/brown, gray, apricot and cream tan, brown/apricot tan, and red/apricot tan.
However, FCI does not recognize blue shades (a variation of black), cafe-au-lait, and silver beige.
Head
It should be well-proportioned and slightly longer than ⅖ of the height at the withers, not overly fine but also not too heavy, with well-defined bone structure.
The eyes are dark, and the nose is black, but in brown-toned Poodles, the eyes can be dark amber, and the nose brown.
Body
Well-proportioned, harmonious appearance, slender, slightly longer than the height at the withers.
The limbs are long and slender, the ribs well sprung, and the posture firm and elegant.
Tail
If docked, the tail should be one-third of the natural length, or half, or it can be kept long. It is set rather high.
In Europe, tail docking is prohibited in many countries, while imported specimens may have docked tails.
How Long Does a Poodle Live?
Toy and Miniature Poodles are very long-lived dogs, as are Medium and Giant Poodles. The average lifespan of a Poodle is 15/17 years. Many live beyond 20 years.
A quick online search will yield articles about the world's oldest Poodle. It was named Lady, and she lived for an impressive 28 years (1908 - 1937).
Poodle Health Issues
Among the most common health problems, some are common or simply due to aging, while others are due to poor diet or lack of physical activity.
Some health issues are genetic in nature. Among the most common diseases and health issues in Poodles are:
Otitis (Ear Infections)
Retinal Atrophy
Cataract
Hip Dysplasia
Testicular Retention, or Cryptorchidism (failure of one of the testicles to descend)
Stomach Torsion
Gingivitis
Skin Allergies
Cardiac Issues
Respiratory System Problems
Tracheal Collapse
Proper nutrition, regular exercise, and preventative veterinary visits will help your furry friends stay healthy and live a long life.
Poodle Nutrition
Since Poodles are prone to overweight, careful attention to their diet is essential for maintaining good health.
Puppy Feeding
For the first three or four weeks, puppies will feed almost exclusively on mother's milk, or, in the absence of the mother, a specific artificial milk formula for puppy dogs.
Starting from the first month of age, the puppy can begin to be fed with solid and wet foods, administered 3 or 4 times a day.
For the transition period, choose a high-quality food, such as Orijen Puppy for puppies.
Adult Poodle Feeding
The most common choice is dry food, which must be of excellent quality.
You should choose a brand that contains the right amount of proteins, minerals, and vitamins necessary for the dog's health. Dry food will also promote proper dental hygiene.
Kibble is available in various categories, for small dogs (some even specific for toy and miniature), for adult animals, for dogs with particular pathologies, for senior dogs, in the dietetic and gluten-free version. Generally, the classic version is preferred but you can discuss it with your trusted veterinarian.
For normal-sized adult dogs, it's better to choose a product with a high meat content, for example, Orijen.
If you are against dry food, you can instead follow a homemade diet for the dog, cooking balanced meals composed of proteins, carbohydrates, and vegetables.
To know how to feed your Toy and Miniature Poodle read our guides;
If you live in a high-risk area, regularly carry out flea and tick prevention.
Occasionally, it may be useful to treat the dog with a general dewormer. Discuss it first with your veterinarian.
Teeth cleaning should be performed regularly, as poor oral hygiene can cause painful diseases, as well as incur significant costs in case of extractions.
Ear cleaning should be done frequently to avoid bad smells or common pathologies due to the proliferation of mites, bacteria, and yeasts.
Regularly checking the state of the anal glands will prevent bad smell and discomfort for your Poodle.
Early spaying in females, if done before the first heat or shortly after, significantly reduces the incidence of mammary tumors.
Since the Poodle's coat is continuously growing, make sure to have it cut every two months or so.
Who is the Poodle Suitable For?
Poodles are suitable for everyone, being a dog that adapts well to both sedentary life and activity, and loves children, adults, and the elderly. They become attached to their owner without being overbearing.
It's perfect for those who suffer from allergies to dog hair or don't like having to constantly brush their homes and clothes.
It's also ideal for those who don't have much experience in training or socialization, as it is a versatile dog that learns very quickly.
Who is the Poodle Not Suitable For?
Being a dog that needs a lot of interaction with household members, the Poodle may not be suitable for those who are absent many hours for work, unless there is more than one animal in the house. It requires a very present owner.
It might also not be the ideal dog for those on a tight budget, as it requires frequent haircuts and grooming, and grooming sessions which unfortunately usually come at quite high prices.
Some specimens of this dog breed tend to bark a lot, especially Miniature and Toy Poodles, so it's better to be mindful of condominium rules.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Poodle
Other Articles You Might Be Interested In
23 Small-Sized Poodle Crossbreeds That Steal Your Heart
Why Choose a Poodle? 13 Reasons That Make Them Popular
Do You Really Know Everything About Poodles? 23 Answers to Your Questions
Author's Note
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Disclaimer
The information provided on our site is general in nature and does not in any way substitute for the advice of a veterinarian or industry experts. Always turn to your veterinarian for any doubts.
