Call us: 555-555-5555



The Poodle Information Center

Though there is some debate regarding original origin, the Poodle was developed in France.  This breed is the national dog breed of France, but is popular all around the world.  He is consistently in the top ten most popular dogs in the U.S. 

In the United States, the AKC recognizes three sizes (toy, miniature, standard) and the FCI (80+ member countries) recognize four (medium: known as moyen in France and klein across other parts of Europe).

Poodle have a tight curly coat and can be found in an array of lovely colors. 

Originally bred for water retrieval, Poodles of all sizes have become beloved canine family members.  Intelligent, alert and active, the Poodle is an incredible dog breed. 

Articles of Interest:

Poodle Dental Care - Updated - One of the most important things you can do to keep your Poodle healthy is to take excellent care of their teeth. This updated article covers both at-home and veterinary dental care. 
Care Tips for Poodles with Missing Teeth - This helpful article covers feeding, toys, dental care, and more with Poodles of any age that are missing some, most, or all of their teeth. 

Most Requested Topics: 

Home Cooking for a Poodle - Updated - A new cookbook that's packed with full-color photos and 40 delicious, tag-wagging recipes. Read what homemade food can help you avoid and the top benefits of making the switch. 
Teaching a Poodle to Listen - The top reasons why a Poodle will be disobedient and effective ways to have your Poodle to start listening to your requests and commands. 
Poodle Feeding Guidelines - Updated - Read the latest information regarding grain vs grain-free formulas, along with an updated list of recommended brands.
Poodle Care Tips - Updated - See the 9 most important things you should be doing for your Poodle's well-being.  Now, with more detailed information. 
When a Poodle Rapidly Gulps Down Their Food - If your Poodle eats very fast, this is something that should be addressed right away. Fast eating is linked to upset stomach issues, gas, and killer bloat which is a serious and sometimes fatal condition. 
When a Poodle is a Picky Eater - Do you constantly worry about your finicky Poodle not eating enough? Follow these tips to finally stop this troubling behavior and make meal times stress-free for both of you. 
Training to Stop a Poodle From Jumping Up on People - If your Poodle has the habit of jumping up on guests to your home or when saying hello to you, these effective training techniques will quickly teach your guy or gal to greet people in a more controlled manner. 
Poodle Spaying and Neutering - Details regarding all pros and cons, benefits and risks, and the best age to have this done.  
Poodle Begging Behavior - Dogs that have learned the art of begging can be relentless. If you find yourself giving in, these tips to stop a Poodle from begging can stop this behavior and lead to less stress for both you and your puppy or dog.
How to Resolve Poodle Dry Skin - The top 7 reasons for chronic dry skin and exact steps to quickly and permanently resolve each underlying issue. 
Poodle House Training - Updated - This page has been updated with more helpful details, and a step-by-step guide. 
Poodle Territorial Marking - If your Poodle is peeing all over the house, this may not be a housebreaking issue. It may be marking, and this needs to be dealt with in a certain way. 
Poodle Shampoos and Coat Products - This page has been completely re-done to offer more helpful and detailed information.
Having Your Poodle in the Car - You may be surprised at what type of danger you're placing your Poodle if you don't use the right car seat or belt. Also, great tips to prevent motion sickness.  
The 6 Most Important Toys for a Poodle to Have - It's amazing what a difference the right toys can make. See how these 6 types can change your Poodle's world. 
How to Successfully Get Rid of Poodle Tear Stains - Tired of trying to fix this, only to have them come back? See exact step-by-step guidelines for effective and permanent removal. 

Points of Interest

  • The Poodle is recognized as one of the most intelligent dog breeds in the world, ranking at #2
  • Poodles have hair, not fur, and while most assume this makes for a hypoallergenic dog, some people can be allergic to the dandruff that is produced under the coat
  • One of the oldest Poodles on record was named Taffy Gayle, age 27, owned by the Harvill family in Alabama, USA.
  • This breed originated in Germany and was known as the 'Pudelhund' which loosely translates to 'to splash about'. This is an apt term, since the Poodle is a water-retriever. 
  • Since the 1500's the Poodle has been the national dog of France.
  • Imprints of the breed have been found on both ancient Greek and Roman coins 
  • Poodles have won Best in Show several times, both at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show and at the World Dog Show
  • Poodles have been used as working dogs in the military for centuries, and most prominently during WWII.  In 1942, the Poodle was one of 32 dog breeds officially classified as 'war dogs' by the US army. 

Stats

Group: Toy: Toy Group
               Miniature & Standard: Non-Sporting
Pronunciation: POO-duhl
Meaning of Name: German "pudelhund" meaning "water dog"/ English "pudel" meaning "puddle"
Origin: Germany (later further developed in France)
Size: Toy: 10 inches (25.4 cm) or under at highest point of shoulder
           Miniature: Between 10-15 inches (25.4-38.1 cm) at highest point of shoulder
            Standard: Over 15 inches (38.1 cm) at highest point of shoulder
         Klein/Moyen: A France & European variety, size falls between a Mini and Standard; 15 to 20 inches (38.1-50.8 cm)
Average Weight: Toy: 6-9 lbs. (2.72-4.08 kg)
                                   Miniature:15-17 lbs. (6.8-7.71 kg)
                                   Standard: 45-70 lbs. (20.41-31.8 kg)
                                   Klein/Moyen: 20-30 lbs. (9-13 kg)
Life Span: Toy: 14-16 Years
                    Miniature: 14-16 Years
                    Standard: 11-13 Years
                    Klein/Moyen: 12- 15 Years
Purpose: Originally: A water retriever dog
                   Modern times: Companion, pet
Alternate Names: Caniche, French Poodle  

Grooming Information 

It takes time and effort to keep a Poodle clean, smelling nice, and looking tidy. Some common grooming-related issues that owners contend with include: 
Poodle Tear Stains - This refers to discolored hairs under (and sometimes around) the eyes. It is more noticeable on Poodles with light coats. Tear stains are notoriously stubborn and removing them for good usually involves a two-step approach of cleaning away the stains while eliminating the underlying cause. 
Poodle Anal Gland Issues - Anal glands, also known as scent glands, are small glands located on either side of the anal opening. These typically do not cause problems, but they can become impacted which may require a groomer or veterinarian to express them. A common sign that scent glands are bothering a Poodle, is scooting (rubbing their rear-end along the ground). 
Bathing a Poodle - Due to having hair (not fur) and sensitive skin, the timing and techniques of baths is important to maintain good skin and coat health. This covers tips and advice for productive baths. 
Separation Anxiety - A Real Issue and Help is Here

Separation Anxiety is a very real issue that thousands of dogs battle with every day.  It is a serious condition for any dog breed, but especially intelligent, sensitive dogs such as the Poodle. Whether you have a toy, miniature or standard, it is important to understand the signs of this and exactly how to help your dog cope with being home alone.  

There are many steps that you can take to help your dog gain the self confidence needed to be by him/herself while you are away, whether it is for 1 hour or for a full working day. 

Let's discuss this issue that touches so many owners. 

Dental Care

Not very long ago, dog owners (and even veterinarians) believed that when a dog chewed on rawhide or dry dog food, that this sufficiently cleaned the teeth. We now know that this is far from true. Dogs do not develop cavities in the same way that people do, however they are very susceptible to tooth decay and infections. 

Daily care in the form of brushing is vital to maintain the health of your dog. Toy Poodles are especially vulnerable to teeth issues, which can lead to discomfort, tooth loss and dangerous infection. All dogs should have their teeth brushed at home, as part of their daily grooming routine. Learn how to train your dog to sit nicely for cleanings and what you need to know about dental care.
Overview of Colors

Here is a quick guide to help explain the colors of the Toy, Miniature and Standards. There are 11 solid and 17 double colors (A 2 color combination on the dog's coat)

Apricot- A very light orange, can be described as champagne
Black - The most common color in the bloodlines, this color may change over to silver
Blue - A diluted black, often the blue tint is only noticeable in the sunlight
Brown - A deep, chocolate
Cafe Au lait - a light brown
Cream - The Cch gene creates a cream that would otherwise be Apricot or Cafe Au lait
Gray - Most grays are born black, the coat turns color after 1 yr old
Red - The rarest color
Silver - A diluted gray, created by completely different genes
Silver beige - A beautiful combo created by the V V gene
White - A pure, snow white 
Allergy Information

More than 20% of all dogs suffer from allergies, with flea allergy dermatitis being the most common form....Although this can present itself in a wide variety of ways. Your Poodle may also suffer from 1 of the 4 types of allergens that affect dogs. You may think your Poodle has a cold or is having tummy issues, but this could be allergies and easy to resolve if you know what to look for. More about Allergies.
Owner's Poll

Thoughts from hundreds of Poodle owners....See how other Poodles compare to yours and how their owners feel about different topics....Some are silly...others are serious...and all of them are interesting! 

Learn what other owners think and find out how other Poodle behave, their quirks, habits and more. 
3 Sizes, 1 Breed

All Poodles, whether Toy, Mini or Standard are one breed. These terms apply to size only and the 3 are weight and height variations only.  And of course, in Europe there is another size, the Klein/Moyen which falls between the Mini and Standard.

For this reason, care for all ages, issues concerning puppies, ongoing health care and common health issues related to the Poodle will all be similar. 
Food & Exercise

There is a lot involved regarding proper care for our canine family members, however 2 of the biggest concerns of owners should be food and exercise.

A proper diet of wholesome foods and a regular exercise routine will work in conjunction to keep a Poodle happy and healthy. 
Read more: Feeding a Poodle.
This month's quote: "A person who has never owned a dog has missed a wonderful part of life."
Share by: