Poodle Miniature

Getting along with the kids, the cat and the guinea pig is no problem for the poodle. Lively and affectionate, they make wonderful companion dogs. They enjoy a busy life and love to be included in all family pursuits. Miniatures adapt to life in more confined quarters as long as they get adequate exercise. They can be good guard dogs, announcing visitors but never being aggressive. Poodles are unusually sensitive to vocal intonation, probably one of the reasons they are so easy to train. Many pet owners, using gentle and consistent training methods, have seen their poodles excel in obedience trials, flyball and agility.

This is a noble looking dog with a slender muzzle and long neck. The coat is profuse and curly and is often styled. They move with a graceful and prancing gait.

10 to 18 years

The variety of Poodle coat colors is even more varied than the sizes of the breed. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), those colors include apricot, black, blue, brown, cream, gray, red, silver, silver beige and white.

The Poodle has a low-shedding coat. The hair does grow, however, and needs regular trims and daily brushing.

If a full-coated Poodle is not brushed to the skin daily, his hair will mat near the roots and will have to be shaved off. Most owners choose to keep their Poodles’ coats trimmed short, which requires grooming every four to six weeks.

Thanks to responsible breeding, most Poodles enjoy long, happy lives with their families. Health issues associated with the breed can include hip dysplasia and several eye disorders, as well as idiopathic epilepsy, sebaceous adenitis, von Willebrand’s disease and immune-mediated disorders. "

Toy and Miniature Poodles are more likely than Standard Poodles to experience two orthopedic problems, Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease and luxating patella.

Toy and Miniature Poodles may find the specialized nutrition and smaller kibble of a small breed dog food beneficial, whereas Standard Poodles may benefit from the nutrition offered by an adult dog food or a food for active dogs.

For Poodles who need help with weight management, consider a healthy weight formula.

The Miniature Poodle was developed from the Standard Poodle by people who wanted a smaller version of the larger poodle which was easier to care for and more economical to feed. This size of poodle was known to exist at least 500 years ago. They became well known in circuses due to the fact that they are easy to train, extremely intelligent and eager to please. They were so popular during the 1950’s and 1960’s that some genetic problems began to occur. This seems to have been sorted out by more selective breeding being carried out.

Famous Poodle owners include musician “Weird Al” Yankovic, philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer, composer Ludwig van Beethoven, authors John Steinbeck and Gertrude Stein, and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

The Poodle’s coat is a natural water insulator. If left to grow naturally, it will cord.

The Poodle breed includes three sizes, but only one breed standard for all sizes.

Poodles don’t have fur. They have hair, which doesn’t shed and never stops growing.