Poodle Breed Information

Grooming

Poodles are not high maintenance dogs despite their reputation. Their grooming requirements depend on the length of their coats. Mini and Toy Poodles with long curly coats require brushing and combing 2 to 3 times a week, whereas those with short curly coats require brushing and combing only once a week. It is recommended to trim and clean the hair around their eyes regularly to avoid tear stains.

To keep their coats clean, shiny, and glamorous, they should be bathed monthly. Their nails should be clipped every few weeks as they tend to overgrow, and their ears should be checked and cleaned regularly, preferably bi daily. Poodles, like all dogs, can suffer from dental issues if their teeth aren't brushed regularly. It is highly recommended to brush their teeth every few days and daily when possible. When grooming a Poodle, make sure to only use vet-approved products specifically designed for dogs.  

For guidance on how often and the best methods to bathe your Poodle, check out our guide on how often you should bathe your dog

Exercise Needs

Poodles are generally active dogs. They love to run around, play games, participate in canine sporting competitions, and be involved in fun family activities. An hour of daily exercise coupled with some active playtime indoors will be enough to keep the dog healthy, fit, and happy. Mini and Toy Poodles can go with 30 minutes of daily walks and exercise. Standard dogs need up to an hour or more of exercise. Because they are an exceedingly bright dog breed, they also need plenty of mental stimulation during the day to keep from getting bored. Puzzle games and training activities are a great way to keep them mentally engaged.  

Health

Poodles are a very resilient and healthy dog breed, especially smaller-sized varieties like the Mini and Toy Poodle. These dogs have very few health issues with most being minor and mainly due to old age. Some of the health problems they might suffer from include allergies, hip and elbow dysplasia, patellar luxation, cataracts, dental issues, ear infections, and skin problems. Larger varieties may suffer from Addison’s, epilepsy, and bloat.  

Lifespan

Poodles are a long-lived breed of dog that can reach as much as 21 years. Mini and Toy Poodle dogs especially have a long lifespan of 12 to 18 years. Standards have a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years. They have been known to live well past their senior years, with several individuals living 21+ years. The oldest Poodle to have lived was Lady, who was born in 1908 and lived until 1937. She reached 28 years of age. 

Training

Poodles are exceptionally smart dogs. They hold second place as the most intelligent dog breed and are considered to be Einstein dogs. Training them is easy as they are eager to learn and can be taught any trick or command. As above average in intelligence, these puppies can learn most of their basic commands in the first few weeks of training. They are people pleasers, and they love a good challenge, but they can also become stubborn if their needs aren’t met during the training process.

It is recommended to provide plenty of stimulation during training and always have treats by to offer them as rewards for good behavior. Poodle puppies are also easy to housebreak, leash train, and socialize as they are easy going and friendly.  

Although they are a very friendly breed, socialization training is a must when they are in their puppy stage. It is recommended to first introduce friends and family members while indoors in a low-distraction area. After your puppy becomes comfortable with meeting new people, you can move on to outdoor socialization where there are more distractions. 

Poodles are generally independent dogs. They are known to do well when left alone for long periods of time and are not generally prone to separation anxiety. Overly spoiling them can lead to over-attachment and should be avoided.

Training a Poodle can be a delightful experience given their intelligence. For more insights on training dogs effectively, check out our blog Easiest Dogs to Train - Top 5 Pups for Effortless Training 

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