Poodle (Standard) Breed
Poodles are one of the most recognizable dog breeds. They are known for their refined appearance, charisma and wits, and are loved all around the world.
Thought of as a French-provenance breed, they in fact originate from Germany, where they were developed in the 16th century. At the time they were bred as retriever dogs, developing skills such as recovering shot birds from the water. The very name of these excellent swimmers comes from the German "puddeln", meaning "splash".
The famous "continental" haircut is not about greater aesthetics either – it was invented for easier swimming in cold streams. Hunters shaved the hair off the muzzle and back of the body, leaving untouched areas around the joints on the legs, the upper torso and the tip of the tail.
Poodle dogs have played many roles over the decades. From living with royals to sniffing out truffles on order and even joining Napoleon’s army, this fabulous breed has left quite a historical mark.
The Poodle (Standard) review
The Poodle is a lively, ingenuous dog, a successful participant in dedicated canine sports events including frisbee. They also work as guide and therapy dogs.
A Poodle is very attentive and quickly takes notice of mood changes in its owner. It will immediately empathize with its human, always trying to please.
This great companion is ready to share any passion or hobby you fancy. They are mobile, playful and try to get others to join in their game.
Rather surprisingly, a Poodle does not make for a good guard dog despite its heightened instincts; indeed this breed is not prone to barking and never views a stranger with suspicion.
These dogs are known for their advanced intelligence and are always eager to learn. Poodles are easy to train, and for success in training your pup, it is recommended for them to start learning commands at 6-8 weeks of age.
Breed Characteristics
Poodles are loved for their amiable character. Fanciers claim P-pups to be friendly, playful, intelligent, affectionate, and thoroughly entertaining. Note the features this canine pool shares:
- This breed is full of energy, Poodles thrive on regular exercise and play.
- Shedding and molting: The fur is very soft and silky, coming in two types, curly or corded. It’s dense and doesn’t shed a lot, making the Poodle a good choice for allergy sufferers.
- Resistance to weather extremes: Poodles are sensitive to elements and should be protected against highs and lows.
- Training: Poodle puppies are a treat to own thanks to intelligence and eagerness to learn. Natural ingenuity and curiosity make them highly trainable. They are not known for being stubborn and follow orders with pleasure. A Poodle puppy should be active to enhance their balanced development. Treat your buddy to a lot of games indoors and outdoors. Raising a baby puppy may not be easy; keep patient, use positive reinforcement wherever possible.
- Social: Poodles are affectionate dogs. This breed gets along well with children of any age. Poodles love to frolic with other pets of the household too.
- Sizes is what separates the breed into Standard (15-24 in, 45-70 lbs), Miniature (10-25/12-20) and Toy (10/4-8) subdivisions.
What kind of health the Poodle (Standard) has
Poodles are considered to be a relatively healthy breed, with an average lifespan of 10 to 18 years (less for bigger Standards). Given their historical roles as hunting partners, it’s no surprise they’ve acquired athletic builds and strong genes.
Though not necessarily prone to developing diseases, Poodles may be at risk of genetic problems manifesting themselves in later life, such as hip dysplasia, thyroid issues, or vision impairments.
Inbreeding may have given rise to sebaceous adenitis (a skin condition) and Addison’s (where endocrine system suffers). This can be tracked to a boom in popularity in the later 20th century, and huge demand for show dogs. Ask your breeder for specific testing to avoid falling through the genetic bottleneck of historically popular bloodlines.
What health tests are recommended
One can easily spend a fortune on vets for a lovely dog burdened with a host of health issues. Any potential owner should closely examine the paperwork provided by a seller ahead of buying a Poodle puppy.
Popular health checks done for this canine include:
- Hip dysplasia tests: OFA evaluation and PennHIP evaluation are both common ways to identify and mitigate hip concerns.
- Thyroid evaluation: hypothyroidism is a common hereditary issue in Poodles, addressed by OFA or OFA SA.
- CAER eye examination: regular eye checkups help detect cataracts and glaucoma early.
Poodle (Standard) puppy price
Poodle puppies’ costs depend on many factors. When looking for a “Poodle puppy for sale near me”, first take into account the type of Poodle you want to add to your family. Varieties differ in price. Toy Poodles are generally the more expensive kind, with tags ranging from $1,000 to $3,500. Miniature pups average at $2,500, while a Standard puppy costs around $2,000.
Female Poodles may be estimated above male ones.
The price of Poodle puppies may be affected by scare supply in a given locality. They will charge you more for puppies with pedigrees.
Buy Poodle (Standard) puppy from a breeder
Experienced Poodle breeders offer a number of benefits to both you and your future furry companion. Reputable kennels take great pride in their puppies’ health and well-being by providing proper health screenings on tight schedule.
Breeders offer extensive support to potential baby puppy parents. A peek into the pup’s family would give you an idea of evolving character and personality, as these are commonly inherited. Take advice on nutrition needed and recommended breed-specific training techniques.