The Aristocratic Poodle got its name for its skill in bringing wounded animals out of the water. Suddenly? Not at all, many modern decorative quadrupeds have a completely working past. The breed is truly considered as a companion, it is even recognized as the second smartest, after the Border Collie, but that doesn't change her past.
This is interesting! Cynology is not inclined to recognize the Greek roots of the breed; the Poodle is attributed to France, less often to Germany. The word “Poodle” itself is German and means the action of splashing in the water. In France, the breed was called differently - Caniche (caniche) from the words duck (cane) and dog (chien).
Video
* We invite you to watch a video about the Poodle . In fact, in front of you is a playlist in which you can select and watch any of 20 videos about a given dog breed by simply clicking on the button in the upper right corner of the window. In addition, the material contains quite a lot of photos. By looking at them you can find out what a Poodle looks like.
In this article:
|
Rate the material!
[Total votes: 3 Average: 3.7]
The poodle is a graceful dog that people remember thanks to its unusual haircuts and natural grace. Few people know that the poodle is one of the smartest dog breeds in the world. These cute pets have intelligence that they inherited from their ancestors, hunting dogs.
Poodle
He was once a hunting dog, trained to fetch game from the water. The ancestors of the modern poodle were considered tireless hunters with a rough appearance and a rebellious character. However, modern breeders, trying to breed a decorative dog based on it, have created one of the most beloved breeds in the world. Many countries tried to declare themselves its homeland. France won the dispute.
The poodle is one of the oldest breeds of decorative dogs. Poodle-like dogs have been known since ancient times. Their images, dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries, were on Roman and Greek coins, columns of the Mont Real monastery in Sicily, and in the paintings of the Cathedral in Reims.
Poodles became known under their modern name in the 15th and early 16th centuries. This is evidenced by numerous images of them in painting and sculpture that have survived to this day. During the Baroque and especially Rococo eras, the poodle gained extraordinary popularity in all European countries. The first description of the poodle was made by Konrad Gessner in 1555, and 7 years later Gunrat Forer described three varieties of the poodle - large, dwarf and multi-colored.
The history of the origin of the modern poodle remains not entirely clear. It is believed that it was formed as a result of crossing two ancient dog breeds. One of them was a German shepherd dog “sheep poodle” with a peculiar curly coat. In addition to its excellent watchdog qualities, this dog was indispensable when hunting ducks; it swam beautifully and flushed out game.
The second ancestor is considered to be the “water dog”, widespread in Spain. This dog's fur was like cords, and to make it easier to care for, it was completely cut off from the last ribs to the tail. The water dog was also used by the Spaniards to hunt waterfowl. Inherited from these ancestors, the poodle received a sharp mind, an obedient character, a unique coat and other qualities, thanks to which it became most widespread in the world and popular among millions of dog lovers.
Poodles appeared initially in France and Belgium, then in Germany, from where they spread to other countries. They were first used as guard dogs and for hunting waterfowl, mainly for searching and presenting killed birds to the owner. Its light weight and thick coat made it easy to float on the water.
It is believed that the name “poodle” comes from the German verb “paddeln”, which means “to splash”, “to flounder in the water” or from “pfundelhund” - water dog. And in fact, the poodle loves water very much. At the first command of the owner or if any object is thrown into a pond, he rushes into the water with pleasure and without hesitation.
Poodles were very popular as decorative dogs in the Middle Ages in France. During the reign of Louis the 16th, the poodle was a favorite of the secular nobility, an adornment of fashionable salons and noble ladies. The elegantly and intricately groomed small poodles were so popular that they almost became the national symbol of the country.
By the 16th century, the poodle had become extremely popular in almost all countries of the European continent and in England. The English Prince Charles Rupert had his own poodle, cut like a lion, named Boy (Boy), who was brought to England from France. This poodle was believed to have supernatural strength and the ability to transform into royal children. He died in 1644 in one of the campaigns, defending his owner. The famous poodle Mustache took part in the campaigns and battles of the Napoleonic army and was awarded the order for saving French soldiers and the regimental banner in the battle of Austerlitz.
History of the origin of poodles
The Poodle is a very old breed of dog that was originally bred as a toy dog. The ancestors of poodles date back to the 12th century - they were depicted on Greek and Roman coins and in the Monastery of Mont Real in Sicily.
Poodles gained fame in the Middle Ages. Poodles have been repeatedly depicted in paintings and sculptures - especially in the Baroque and Rococo eras. Europe was obsessed with this breed, so almost all noble people had poodles. In 1555, the first description of the breed appeared, and already in 1563 the poodle was divided into varieties: large, dwarf and multi-colored.
How exactly the poodle appeared is unknown. It is generally accepted that it arose due to the crossing of two breeds of dogs. The first was a German Cattle Dog with a distinctive curly coat. This dog was a good duck hunter, she brought the shot game from the water.
The second relative of the poodle is the so-called “water dog,” which was popular in Spain. Its wool was in the form of long strands and was also used for hunting waterfowl. Both poodle ancestors had excellent hunting qualities and intelligence, which was passed on to the poodle.
At first, poodles as a breed were formed in France, from where they spread throughout all countries. At first they were used as guard and hunting dogs, only then their thick hair and elegant constitution attracted the attention of the nobility.
Fun fact: Poodles were a success in medieval France. The poodle was a favorite of the palace nobility and an adornment for wealthy women. Later, thanks to their intelligence, poodles took their place in circus performances and began to accompany traveling performers. Around that time, poodles began to get original haircuts that the audience liked.
In Russia, the poodle became popular in the mid-18th century among the Russian nobility. Ekaterina was the first to receive a poodle - he was brought to her from France. Later, poodles became widespread among ordinary people. For example, during the Great Patriotic War, poodles searched for mines and were used as messenger dogs.
History of the Poodle breed
The poodle is one of the oldest dog breeds. There is no consensus on its origin; for many centuries there have been debates about the homeland of the poodle, its ancestors, and the breeding process. Most scientists believe that the poodle originates from several countries and is the product of crossing several breeds of dogs that have shaggy, long, curly hair of equal length throughout the body, and differ from each other in size. These breeds of dogs were herding dogs, hunting dogs (Barbet), and water dogs (Portuguese water dog). Among the poodle's ancestors are the Barbet, Maltese, water spaniels, retrievers, pointers and greyhounds.
The first images of lion-like or poodle-like dogs are found already in the 30s BC. on bas-reliefs of Roman tombs and on Greek and Roman coins. Images of a poodle from the 12th and 12th centuries. can also be seen in the drawings of the columns of the Monastery of Mont Reale in Sicily and the paintings of the Cathedral of the Abbey of Saint-Rémy in France. In the 15th century, images of dogs with lion haircuts were found in the works of artists of the Dutch and Flemish schools. In the 16th century The first mentions of the poodle appear in Central Europe; by this time, poodle-shaped dogs were already common in all countries of continental Europe and in England. In France, where the breed is considered national, there were several varieties of the poodle: the barbet, the French caniche, which was used for duck hunting, and the “truffle dog,” which searches for mushrooms valuable in cooking.
A huge amount of evidence suggests that during the formation of the breed, poodles were bred to fetch game from the water. The long, curly coat retained heat well, protected the dog's chest from exposure to cold and injury, but made it difficult to move the hind limbs. To make the work easier, the dogs began to be cut.
The art of hairdressing developed in Europe in the 18th-19th centuries, at which time the first dog salons and the first groomers began to appear. France, which is today recognized as the country of origin of the breed and the holder of the standard, began to dictate the fashion for hairstyles.
The poodle received its current name in Baroque times, the word pudel comes from the German pudeln (“to splash”). The breed standard uses the French name – caniche.
At the end of the 19th century, lovers of purebred breeding began to organize the first dog clubs and draw up breed standards. The first poodle standards appeared in England in 1886 and in Germany in 1904. In each country, breeding followed its own path, which led to the emergence of different types of poodle. In England and the USA they preferred a long head and thin bones; in Germany they bred a stronger, heavier type, with a wide head. After the Second World War, in countries such as Poland, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, and Hungary, breeding was based on German lines; in other European countries, imports from England were used.
In 1936, the standard of the French Poodle Club was recognized as the official breed standard. Its latest version was released in 2007.
In Russia, the breed became widespread in the 19th century in the homes of the Russian intelligentsia and aristocracy. The poodle was the favorite dog of artists, painters, and writers. These were mainly large poodles of Russian breeding, but there were also small varieties imported from Europe. In 1874, the first dog exhibitions began to be held in Moscow, in 1886 the Society of Pedigree Dog Lovers was created in St. Petersburg, and in 1890 the Blood Dog Breeding Department appeared. At first, these societies dealt only with hunting dogs, but after the revolution, sections of indoor breeds were also organized at hunting clubs.
After the Patriotic War, a “Royal Poodle” section was created in Moscow at the DOSAAF service dog breeding club, and in 1967 a section for fans of small and dwarf poodles appeared.
The All-Union Poodle Club, which included poodle clubs from 24 cities of the USSR, was created in 1989. In 1993, it was renamed the Union of Poodle Clubs and included in the RKF. In 1996, the SPK became the National Breed Club.
We recommend reading on this topic:
Sotskaya M. Poodle. - M.: Aquarium-Print LLC, 2005
Poodle - description of the breed
Depending on the type of poodle, the following breed varieties are distinguished:
- Royal are large dogs weighing up to 23 kg, and height from 48 to 58 cm, at the withers. They have an elegant appearance and long legs;
- Average – 35-44 cm, height, weight from 9 to 12 kg;
- A small poodle is a dog with a height of 28 to 34 cm, weighing from 6 to 8 kg;
- Dwarf - the smallest representatives, up to 25 cm tall, weighing up to 5.5 kg.
The head of poodles is elongated, with clearly defined lines, pointed at the end. The lips fit tightly to the teeth, the teeth close together. Scissor bite. The eyes are large, round in shape and wide set. As a rule, black and brown colors - light-eyed individuals are rejected. If the poodle has a dark chocolate color, then amber pupils are allowed.
Poodles have long, drooping ears, completely covered with soft, wavy hair. The bases of the ears are located at eye level. The ears are quite long: if you stretch them out, they can reach the end of the muzzle.
The poodle's torso is elongated, graceful, but strong. Wide, flat back without sagging. Long legs, springy step. The paws are slightly rounded, elongated, the toes fit tightly to each other. Tightly tucked narrow belly, wide rib cage. When running, the step becomes sweeping, the poodle spreads its legs wide.
The tail is set high, looking upward, very thin, tapering towards the end, but on a strong base. The pelvis is narrow, but proportional. The croup is slightly sloping down.
Poodle: breed history, character and care
Poodles are a hunting dog breed that has turned into a decorative one these days. Poodles are recognized as very intelligent dogs. With proper grooming, the poodle looks like an elegant and beautiful dog. His natural charm and curiosity make him a great companion both for girls who want to have a small graceful dog, and for men who love sports and an active lifestyle.
Given the variety of sizes and colors of this breed, everyone can find a poodle that suits them. A dwarf poodle is suitable as a sofa dog, but a royal poodle is already a fairly large dog.
Popular Poodle Colors
Poodles come in a wide variety of colors, but in general they are all classic hunting dog colors. For example, black color is one of the most common. Black wool should have a rich, intense shade, without impurities or tints. The dog's skin should also remain dark, including the lips, nose and nails.
White color is also not uncommon among poodles. Puppies may have yellow spots on the chest and belly, but the coat becomes lighter as they age. The eyes of white poodles are strictly brown, and the nose, lips and claws are black. Sometimes there are deviations in the form of a pink nose.
Silver poodles are less common. There can be shades of any color, but without any admixture of black hair. This color is achieved through long selection. Newborn poodles are black, but as they age, the coat lightens and turns silver.
Brown poodles should not have beige or light shades. The skin also fully matches the main color. The nose is brown or other dark shades, the eyes are strictly dark brown. With age, this color becomes more heterogeneous.
Apricot Poodles are beige in color with dark brown patches of hair. The ears are always slightly brighter than the main body color. Puppies have a very intense color; with age, the richness of the coat is lost. The skin is also light, and the lips and claws are black.
The Red Poodle is mahogany in color with similarly colored skin. The lips, claws and nose are chocolate color. With age, this color also loses intensity.
The harlequin color has only recently been recognized by canine associations. In this color, white and black colors contrast brightly, but the transition boundaries are clearly defined. The main color is always white. The muzzle and ears should be black, spots on the back and tail are allowed.
Character and habits of poodles
Due to the popularity of poodles and their sophisticated appearance, they are often considered stupid dogs. The ancestors of poodles were hunting dogs, capable of tracking down prey and bringing it to the owner, so the poodle received the best intellectual qualities. Poodles are active and energetic: they love to play with their owner, run, swim and fetch a ball.
Poodles have developed intellectual abilities. This is clearly visible in the dog’s behavior and in its attitude towards humans. Poodles love the process of training, they like to please people, they recognize the owner as an absolute authority. The dog realizes that the person is smarter than him, so he is ready to listen to him unquestioningly. For example, if a poodle sees its owner digging the ground, the dog will immediately want to help him.
Poodles are observant and have a good memory. They perfectly read the facial expressions and intonation of the owner, so they understand him perfectly. Dogs do not like to upset their owners, so they rarely rebel and are very obedient pets. If a poodle has done a mischief, then with all his appearance he will show that he is sorry.
Interesting fact: Poodles are good at listening to human speech. Some experts believe that dogs are capable of remembering more than 70 words. Poodles understand words by moving their lips, by gesturing, and they are also good companions for deaf and mute people.
Poodles love communication. They are ready to meet new people and animals. If a dog is not given enough attention, he may become depressed or even get sick. Therefore, it is better to have poodles in families with children - they love to play with children and treat them very responsibly.
Poodles do not have guarding qualities. The maximum they can do to a stranger is bark at him. But poodles will not defend their owner or territory.
Poodle character
Poodles, whose appearance is distinguished by sophistication and elegance, are often called “feminine” dogs, which is completely unfair. Do not forget that the ancestors of this dog with a delightful appearance were hunting dogs. From them the poodle inherited mobility, energy, and a love for an active lifestyle. He loves sports games with a ball, jogging with his owner, and swimming gives him the greatest pleasure. However, the dog will also not mind lying on the sofa with the owner and watching TV series.
Poodle with baby
The poodle is distinguished by its extraordinary intelligence and quick wit. They say about him: “A poodle is not yet a person, but it is no longer a dog.” It is the poodle's intelligence and intelligence that determine its behavior, which demonstrates unparalleled obedience. It may even seem that this dog is a people-pleaser, but in fact he idolizes his owner and recognizes him as an indisputable authority, since he realizes that he is smarter than himself. The dog supports the “leader” in all his actions, and does not consider it necessary to contradict him. If the owner starts digging up soil in the garden, the poodle will immediately join in the work and begin digging nearby, and if he decides to sit down and admire the sunset, he will certainly settle down next to him and will selflessly watch this action.
Natural observation, intelligence, memory, and curiosity help the poodle to capture all the nuances of communication - changes in the owner’s facial expressions, gestures, intonations - predicting his further actions and wishes. The dog is ready to do anything, just not to upset the owner, so he strives to exactly follow his instructions, and sometimes manages to do this even before he has expressed his wishes. If a poodle has made a mistake, by its behavior it will demonstrate that it asks for forgiveness, has realized everything, and will not happen again.
The poodle's ability to perceive human speech is excellently developed. It is believed that he knows more than 70 words. But fans of this dog breed are convinced that this number is excessively underestimated. Moreover, poodles understand many words by following the movement of a person’s lips. This gift allows them to become excellent companions for deaf and mute people.
The poodle is a very sociable dog. He needs communication not only with the owner, but also with all family members. At the same time, the innate sense of pride does not allow the poodle to be intrusive. The owners of this dog must understand that it needs signs of attention and manifestations of love. Otherwise, the poodle may well become depressed and even get sick.
Poodle with cat
Poodles love children. They are ready to be both friends and guardians at the same time. By the way, the poodle’s ability to care can manifest itself in relationships with all family members, regardless of their age - in this the dog realizes its shepherd’s inclinations.
The poodle is not aggressive and completely harmless. The attitude towards strangers depends on whether he liked the person or not. But in extreme cases, he can bark at someone he doesn’t like. Poodle guards are useless, but if they sense danger, they will certainly notify the owner with a ringing bark.
Poodles get along well with pets living in the same household, including cats. However, representatives of the cat family who are not familiar to the dog may suffer if the hunting instinct arises in him.
The main character traits of poodles of different height categories are almost identical, but the character of a toy poodle may contain some cowardice, manifested in a fear of loud sounds and sudden movements. This deficiency can be corrected through proper education. The Toy Poodle is less energetic than its counterparts.
Small poodles
Interesting facts about poodles
Poodles are recognized as the second smartest dogs in the world, followed by the Border Collie and the Labrador Retriever. Even in Napoleon Bonaparte's army, every officer had a poodle. They carried this dog with them in a backpack and released it if they were wounded, so that it would attract the attention of field doctors.
Composer Richard Wagner brought poodles to his orchestral rehearsals. If the musicians did not hit at least one note, then the poodles felt disharmony and began to howl.
Poodles have many functions. For example, in the USA this breed is still popular as a hunting breed - in tribute to the ancestors of poodles. In the USSR, poodles were working dogs, valued for their keen sense of smell. Today, poodles are wonderful family dogs and sensitive companions.
Poodles are almost not subject to shedding, and also do not emit a characteristic odor. This dog is often recommended for allergy sufferers without severe exacerbations.
Another fan of poodles was Elvis Presley. He himself had several dogs of this breed, and also gave them to friends and acquaintances. Although poodles still gained the greatest popularity thanks to Queen Elizabeth, who gave a dog of this breed to Khrushchev.
The unusual haircut of poodles actually has a practical meaning. Since the dog was often immersed in cold water while hunting, it needed warm protection. At the same time, its fur absorbs moisture well and weighs the dog down, which prevents it from swimming. Therefore, the fur is left on the head, chest and paws so that it protects from the cold while swimming, but does not hinder the dog’s movements.
Origin of the Poodle. History of the breed
Many people who decide to get a companion dog think only about its size. There is a belief that all small dogs are kind, obedient and good with children. In fact, many miniature breeds were bred for completely different purposes.
For example, terriers and basset dogs are designed for burrow hunting, which requires considerable aggressiveness. A small dog is not necessarily calm and friendly.
These qualities should be sought in dogs of true domestic breeds, bred specifically to be companions, which are facilitated by their physical and psychological properties. Not all of these dogs are miniature, but they are all reliable in communicating with children, have an innate intelligence and desire for cleanliness, as well as the ability to adapt to any conditions.
There are many domestic breeds, but one of them is perhaps more famous than others. This is a poodle. A dog for everyone. It can be of different colors and sizes; even a person inexperienced in dog breeding can handle it. The Poodle is ideal for friendship with children and the elderly, and is peaceful towards other animals. He is famous not only for his charm and beauty. He truly deserves the title of the smartest dog in the world.
Pros and cons of poodles
Poodles have many positive and negative qualities.
Let's first look at the reasons why you should get a poodle:
- Excellently trainable. Poodles like to learn new things, they willingly follow commands, especially when they see that it pleases the owner;
- Poodles are not noisy. If you are absent from work, then the poodle will not howl in anguish and irritate the neighbors - he will patiently wait for you. They do not bark with delight or whine for no reason, especially if the dogs are well trained;
- Poodles hardly shed, and this is a definite plus for keeping poodles in apartments. This is also a plus for people who suffer from allergies but really want to get a dog;
- Poodles live a very long time - up to 18 years with good care. This is a significant period for a purebred dog;
- Poodles are good-natured, flexible and cheerful animals. They love to play with children, willingly make contact and do not show aggression.
However, poodles have the following disadvantages:
- Poodles take a long time to adapt to a new home. This applies to both puppies that have just been taken from their mother and adult dogs. For example, a poodle will be sensitive to moving, and giving an adult dog to other owners is a tragedy for the pet;
- Poodles have many chronic diseases;
- Although poodles' curly hair does not fall out, it grows quickly and clumps together. You will have to take care of your pet’s fur for a long time and carefully;
- Poodles do not tolerate noise well. They don't like the sounds of repairs or loud screams;
- Poodles need physical activity because they were originally hunting dogs that ran and swam a lot.
Advantages and disadvantages
The poodle, like any breed, has its own advantages and disadvantages. It is they who determine the peculiarity of the breed:
| Plus | Minus |
| Good health | Too noisy when playing |
| Balanced, cheerful, playful | You need to brush your fur every day |
| High life expectancy | Barks constantly, making a lot of noise |
| Virtually no shedding | You need to get a haircut every 2 months |
| Do not have a specific smell | Need long walks in the fresh air |
| Easy to train and good with children | They don’t like noise; if there is any noise, they start causing mischief |
| Versatility of content - can be kept in a house or apartment | Too timid and wary of everything |
Attention! An additional advantage is that such pets easily tolerate loneliness, but a disadvantage is that if the owner returns from work, they will demand attention to themselves, becoming too intrusive.
Poodle Breeding
Puberty in poodles occurs at 8 months, but dogs are not ready for mating at such an early age. You need to wait until the dog is physically and mentally formed - this is approximately 18-24 years of life in females. Males can be allowed to breed from 18 months.
As a rule, mating occurs naturally if the dogs are old enough for it. There is always a risk of false pregnancy as this is common in dogs, so pregnancy should be monitored by a veterinarian.
A pregnant dog should walk at least two hours a day. It is necessary to add calcium and mineral salts to food, and also to feed meat and bone meal more often. Pregnancy lasts approximately 60 days, and from the thirtieth day you cannot play intensively with the dog or walk a lot. The fact is that the poodle bitch will still want activity, although she needs rest.
Important fact: From the seventh week, the puppies begin to move, which indicates a normal pregnancy. It is important to fully provide your dog with proteins, fats, carbohydrates, water and vitamins.
Childbirth occurs in several stages. You can tell that they are approaching by the drooping belly and lethargy of the dog, which even refuses to feed. As a rule, poodles give birth safely on their own because they have a balanced physique. However, it's a good idea to have your veterinarian's phone number handy.
Blind puppies receive all the necessary nutrients from their mother's milk, so they do not need additional care. From two weeks of age, when the puppies' eyes open, you can begin infrequent feeding, which will gradually replace their mother's milk.
Poodle care
The first thing you should pay attention to is the wool. Poodles' coat requires careful grooming as it grows quickly and becomes matted easily.
To care for the coat of poodles, you should purchase the following items:
- Pukhoderka. She plucks dead hairs from the soft undercoat, ignoring the hard outer layer of hair;
- A comb with sparse teeth, which combs the upper layers of the coat and prevents tangles;
- Puppy Massage – Poodle skin is very sensitive, so you should pay attention to blood circulation. A brush with natural bristles is better;
- Scissors - hairballs will still appear, and fast-growing wool must be cut;
- Shaving machine;
- Special shampoos and conditioners to make the coat less tangled;
- Spray as this will keep the coat looking nice and shiny.
Shedding of poodles occurs only once in a lifetime - at the moment when the puppy grows up and changes its soft baby fur to the tougher and thicker adult one. During this period, it is important to treat the dog with a slicker brush, since the risk of tangles is greatest.
Poodles are brushed approximately three to four times a week, and overgrown hair is trimmed once every two weeks. A poodle only needs to be shampooed three or four times a year, but bathed without shampoo several times a week. The fact is that the sensitive skin of poodles is irritated by frequent use of shampoos.
As for haircuts, you can either trim the overgrown hair yourself or entrust this task to professionals. Groomers are able to give your pet a chic haircut that will attract the attention of others.
Poodle diet
As with any other breed of dog, poodles can be fed both natural food and prepared food. Ready-made food is quite balanced and contains all the beneficial components necessary for your pet. It is only important to choose the appropriate food, depending on the size, age and activity of the dog.
Homemade food is difficult to balance, but it is often healthier and more nutritious than commercially prepared food. The basis of an active poodle's diet should be meat. The pieces are carefully finely chopped, all bones are removed. The meat should not be fatty, so it is better to give preference to chicken and veal. You can also give offal: liver, kidneys, heart, lungs, etc.
Eggs are a good calcium supplement, but poodles can have an allergic reaction to them. Therefore, an egg can be given no more than twice a week, and it is better to replace it with calcium vitamins.
Fish is rich in iodine, but it also should not be given to your dog more than three times a week. You need to freeze the fish well and then thaw it. The second option is to boil the whole fish. Carefully remove the bones or even pass the fish through a mixer.
Dairy products are allowed to include kefir, fermented baked milk, low-fat cottage cheese and yogurt. Also, do not give frequently, otherwise an eating disorder may occur.
The basis for any meat dish is buckwheat or rice porridge, but only in liquid form. Dry porridge will be difficult for your pet to digest. It can be mixed with meat, fish and offal. Greens are given raw (cabbage, zucchini, carrots), fruits are also suitable for poodles, but they should be used as an incentive treat, and not as the main food.
Care and maintenance
We have collected another poodle here
In order for a poodle to always look healthy, well-groomed and neat, regular care of its magnificent thick coat is necessary. It is advisable to brush your dog daily, at least three times a week, since his growing fur does not fall out. To do this, you should purchase a special comb for combing a poodle and a massage brush.
You need to comb your dog, alternating movements along and against the fur. First, comb the hair on the body, then on the paws. If you do not follow this rule, the dog's hair will become matted, tangled, and tangles will form, which are very difficult to get rid of.
The poodle loves water very much, so bathing, which he needs quite often, does not cause him any inconvenience. The dog should be washed at least once or twice a month, using a special shampoo for long-haired dogs. Before the water procedure, the poodle needs to be thoroughly combed. If tangles have formed, they must be disassembled or carefully cut out with sharp miniature scissors. You should soap your dog and thoroughly rinse off the foam at least twice. Carelessly washed wool will certainly quickly mat again.
Grooming a Poodle
Another important element in caring for a poodle is systematic grooming. The elastic and springy coat of this dog is the basis of its decorative properties. When you press the fur with your palm, resistance is felt, and it almost instantly restores its original shape. This feature allows you to model a variety of hairstyles, the number of which no dog can compare with a poodle. In addition to standardized haircuts, there are a lot of fancy ones, among which the most popular are “sports” and “lamb”. They are a simple outline of the body.
Royal Poodle vs. Toy Poodle
Grooming of the body and limbs should be done once every three months, and it is advisable to entrust it to an experienced groomer. In order to learn how to cut a poodle haircut yourself, reading the manual will not be enough; it is better to take practical lessons from a master, ideally, take specialized courses. But everyone can do a hygienic haircut. Every month, special scissors are used to trim the overgrown hair on the face, under the tail, and in the genital area. It is advisable to trim the abundantly growing hair between the toes, crumbs and on the toes themselves once every two weeks.
An energetic poodle needs exercise. If he sits inside four walls, he will certainly get in the way, inviting his owners to play. You need to walk him at least three times a day; it is advisable that at least one walk is long, and the dog has the opportunity to run around without a leash.
The poodle can be fed both natural food and prepared food. Meat products should make up about a third of the diet. Give preference to beef (preferably not frozen), chicken and beef liver; tripe is very healthy. Some of the meat can be boiled. Use oatmeal, rice, buckwheat, and millet as the basis for porridges. You need to cook porridge in water, not in meat broth. It is acceptable to treat your pet with pasta, but in minimal quantities. Eggs can be given no more than twice a week. Feed your dog cottage cheese at the same frequency. If he does not want to eat a raw product, offer him cheesecakes. Periodically add vegetables to your diet, perhaps in the form of a salad dressed with vegetable oil or sour cream.
Buy dry food, canned food, natural food supplements in specialized stores, giving preference to premium products.
Two-month-old poodles are fed 3-4 times a day, six-month-olds - no more than three. After the dog is 8 months old, it is transferred to two meals a day.
Diseases and health problems
Poodles are quite sickly dogs. If poodles have everything in order with their immunity, then they have a very large number of congenital diseases that are transmitted genetically. The most common genetic disease that can be diagnosed in puppies is fusion of the nasal passages. It is more common in miniature poodles, but does not appear outwardly. The dog snores a lot, has difficulty breathing, and suffocates when running. It can only be solved surgically.
Important fact: Embryos have a duct from the aorta to the pulmonary artery, which closes during development. In some newborn puppies it may remain open. Then ascites and various disorders of the cardiovascular system occur. Veterinarians easily diagnose this disease, but it cannot be treated, so the poodle dies while still a puppy.
Poodles often suffer from epilepsy. It appears only at 2-3 years of the dog’s life, when the pet is old enough. To prevent epilepsy from developing, you should not expose your poodle to stress and various overloads. It can also appear due to an unbalanced diet. The symptoms are simple: convulsions, staggering gait, foam.
Hip dysplasia occurs in large poodles. The dog has difficulty walking, limps, staggers, and is reluctant to run and play. In the early stages, treatment is possible, in the future - only surgical intervention.
Retinal atrophy is inherited in poodles. Because of this, the dog is poorly oriented in the dark, and in the later stages of the disease, it becomes lost even in daylight. It is better to diagnose the disease as early as possible, otherwise treatment will be difficult.
