Standard Poodles Downunder - Standard Poodle FAQ's

Question 1: Why to you keep poodles in that ridiculous haircut. Question 2: Do I have to clip my poodle in that trim? Question 3: Is the poodle a sissy? Question 4: What sizes and colors do poodles come in? Question 5: Isn't the poodle cross healthier than a purebred poodle? Question 6: What is the best method to train a poodle? Question 7: What health concerns do poodles have?Question 8: How long will my poodle live? Question 9: What is the original poodle size? Question 10: What should a poodle look like?Question 11: Do all three poodle sizes have the same temperament? Question 12: How much grooming does a poodle need?Question 13: What type of personality does the poodle have?Question 14: What are the Poodle's Vital Statistics?

Question 1: Why to you keep poodles in that ridiculous haircut.

The poodle haircut originated from the poodle's working days as a water retriever. The practice of clipping the coat began in an effort to ease movement through water. The mane coat actually protects the dog and gives it buoyancy while the hair was shaved off the rear portion of the dog to allow it to swim more freely. Evidence points to the puffs being purely decorative mimicking clothing of the elite upper class.

We have a much more elaborate trim in the ring today with the hair being much longer. Breeders and exhibitors favour this trim as it reflects the history of the breed.

Question 2: Do I have to clip my poodle in that trim?

No, the traditional hunting trim with the shaved rear end is normally reserved for those dogs that are being shown in conformation. There are an infinite variety of coat styles and patterns that will suit your companion.

The appeal of owning a poodle as a pet is their clean nature and the fact that they do not drop coat as normal breeds.

But the poodle's coat does need regular maintenance.

For hygiene reasons it is recommended that the face, feet and base of the tail is shaved or sissored shorter on a regular basis. The body coat can be as long or as short as you want it. The longer coat requires more brushing and also takes longer to dry, when bathed. Your groomer or breeder can recommend coat styles for your pet poodle.

Question 3: Is the poodle a sissy?

The pampered approach to the poodle's coat care has associated it with being dainty and fragile. This is far from the truth. The poodle is a normal healthy dog and quite rugged and strong. The poodle has a happy, easy going nature and should not be shy or reserved.

Question 4: What sizes and colors do poodles come in?

In Australia we have three sizes; the toy, the miniature and the standard poodle.

Toys are 10" - 12" , Miniatures 12" - 15" and the standards are over 15" but average size is 23 " - 25".

There are no such varieties as the tea-cup toy poodle or royal, giant standard poodle. These terms are marketing ploys by unscrupulous breeders indicating that their stock is special in either being exceptionally small or exceptionally large.

Beware of the really small poodles (smaller than the normal toy size) as they may have health concerns.

Poodles come in all solid colors: white, black, grey, silver, cream, blue, red, apricot and brown.

Ocassionally you may find pups with with white chests and/or toes. These are mismarked puppies.

Other colors are the harlequin, phantom and particolors, which are a mix of two colors. The phantoms have coat markings similar to those found in the rottweiler and dobermans. The parti colored coat is the original poodle color. These are normal poodles that just have a different colored coat and they may pop up from time to time, in a litter of solid colors. Most breeders do not try to breed for these colors as they are not eligible for conformation showing in Australia.

Question 5: Isn't the poodle cross healthier than a purebred poodle?

Many people suggest that the cross breeds are healthier and more vigourous than purebred poodles. While this may be true in some instances I do not understand that if you put two different purebreds together to get a new breed ie grodel, labradoodle, spoodle, etc how can they be healthier when you are adding together health problems from each side that may not be in the original purebred.

Standard poodles do not have a major problem with hip dysplasia and most of the show dogs that are being bred have good hip scores and yet these poodles are then crossed with the Labradors and Golden Retrievers, breeds that have a problem with hip dysplasia. How is it possible that the groodles and labradoodles are healthier in this respect than the purebred poodle?

The labradoodles, groodels, spoodles, and other poodle crosses do not have a non shedding coat.

Pure bred poodles have a non allergenic coat. Most of the labradoodles, groodels, spoodles, and other poodle crosses have some degree of coat shedding, with the longer and curlier coat types requiring as much coat maintenance as the standard poodle.

Question 6: What is the best way to train a poodle.

The poodle being sensitive and very intelligent, responds very well to positive reinforcement, rather than the old fashioned 'jerk and pull' method of training.

These modern training techniques reward the poodle for doing the correct action rather than punishing the dog when it does not perform as required.

Positive reinforcement encourages the poodle to think and work things out. Clicker training uses the clicker to "mark", or "tell the poodle", that what they are doing at that particular moment is what is required of them.

Question 7: What health concerns do poodles have?

The most prevalent concerns for the toy and miniature varieties are PRA, patellar luxation, Legg-Perthes and epilepsy while less frequent concerns include: entropion, cataracts, glaucoma, distichiasis, urolithiasis, and intervertebral disc degeneration .

Health screening for the toy and miniature varieties

eye exam, knee, Hip x-ray

The most prevalent concerns for the standard poodle are sebaceous adenitis, gastric torsion, Addison's, while less frequently seen are distichiasis, entropion, cataract, CHD, epilepsy and vWD . The Standard Poodle, because of its deep chest, is one of the breeds most at risk for gastric torsion (bloat). Epilepsy has a highly suspected genetic component in this breed as well.

Health screening for the standard

skinpunch for SA, eye exam , Hip x-ray, vWd

Question 8: How long will my poodle live?
• Life span for toy: 12 - 14 years
• Life span for miniature: 13 - 15 years
• Life span for standard: 10 - 13 years

Question 9: What was the original poodle size

The Standard Poodle is the largest and oldest type, having descended from proficient water dogs of unknown origin. The miniatures and toys came afterwards. Smaller standards were bred and also bred to other breeds to develop the miniature.

Poodles appeal to many people due to their variety in size and color. Poodles are extremely intelligent and easily trained. The only pitfall in owning a poodle is that they must be regularly clipped and groomed.

The Miniature Poodle and Toy Poodle soon followed the Standard Poodle in development. Both were known by the 1750s and were performers and entertainers.

Question 10: What should a poodle look like?

The poodle is square in shape with a stylish and dignified appearance. The poodle comes in three varieties - the standard, the miniature and the toy. The breed standard for all varieties is the same except for the size. Its ears are flat and wide and lay close to its head. The breed's thick curly coat is a solid color and is groomed in the traditional manner. Colors include black, blue, silver, gray, cream, apricot, red, white, brown, or cafe-au-lait.

When trotting, the gait is effortless, smooth, powerful and well coordinated, showing good reach in front and drive behind. Action is light and springy with head and tail carried up.

Question 11: Do all three poodle sizes have the same temperament?

All three types of poodle are friendly, lively, intelligent, devoted, obedient, and makes a loving and well-loved family pert. It is an extrovert that enjoys showing off and being admired.They are good with children and other pets and are sometimes stand-offish with strangers. The poodle is easy to train and enjoys entertaining with tricks. Used as a circus performer because of its ability to learn quickly. The Poodle loves to be the center of attention and has an amusing personality. The Poodle is also eager to please and many owners feel like their poodle understands them when they talk. The Poodle is a natural watch dog with a strong sense of territory. The Poodle gets lonely when left alone and should be included in family activities. This intelligent breed enjoys social interaction along with mental and physical challenges.

Question 12: How much grooming does a poodle need?

All Poodles require frequent grooming, clipping, brushing and shampooing to be kept mat-free. The poodle's coat will matt if the dead hair is not brushed and combed out regularly. Your poodle should be professional groomed every 4 to 6 weeks. The style of cut is dependent upon how much brushing you wish to do. The less coat, the less brushing you will be required to do. All Poodles require a slicker brush and a metal comb to keep their coats brushed and maintained. The poodle's ears need to be cleaned of wax and hair, the nails need trimmed, and the teeth should be brushed and scaled. Poodles will take as much or as little exercise as you want to give them. They enjoy a good walk and and love playing games. Poodles love to retrieve and most like to swim.

Question 13: What type of personality does the poodle have?

The Poodle is friendly, intelligent and easily trained and makes a loving and well-loved family pet. It is an extrovert that enjoys showing off and being admired. Its intelligence and ability to learn new tricks quickly make it highly desirable as a performing dog. It loves exercise and is joyously playful, friendly, and high-spirited. It is a natural watch dog with a strong sense of territory. The Poodle is an excellent companion with child-like qualities that make it one of the most popular dogs in the world.

Poodle owners will attest the fact that Poodles have a very human way of thinking that is unique to this breed. They have an innate intelligence. The ability of Poodles to learn is considered exceptional. Poodles are faster than any other breed at discovering that spoken words mean something and they are thought to understand more spoken words. Many Poodle owners believe that Poodles actually come close to understanding grammar and whole sentences rather that just single words.

Question 14: What are the Poodle's Vital Statistics

Family: Gun Dog, Companion, Water Dog
Place of Origin: Germany and Central Europe
Date of Origin: 1500s
Toy Poodle: Height: <11 inches, Weight: 4-8 pounds
Miniature Poodle: Height: 11-15 inches, Weight: 12-18 pounds
Standard Poodle: Height: over 15 inches but usually 22-26 inches, Weight: 48-65 pounds
Original Function: lap dog, water retrieving, flusher of birds, performer
Primary Current Function: companion
Other Name: barbone, caniche

Standard Poodle FAQ'S

Question 10: What should a poodle look like?

Question 11: Do all three poodle sizes have the same temperament?

Question 12: How much grooming does a poodle need?

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