Miniature poodle

The miniature poodle is very smart, cheerful, tender and non-aggressive, but at the same time quite gentle mentally. He learns quickly. The miniature is more mobile than large or medium.

Nature

Originally, poodles were bred as hunting dogs. FCI distinguishes four poodle varieties: large, medium, miniature and toy. In Anglo-Saxon countries, on the other hand, the breed is divided into three varieties (standard – above 38 cm, miniature – 28-38 cm, and toy – below 28 cm) and all uniform colors are considered consistent with the pattern, which in practice widens the range of ointments, e.g. cream color.

In some countries, there are clubs that accept spotted or arson poodles. Although all representatives of the breed have similar characters, there are some differences: large poodles are calmer, and miniatures and toys are busier.

A miniature poodle is a dog-friendly to people, sociable, which is very attached to the household – both two-and four-legged. Sometimes jealous of the owner’s attention. Mostly representatives of this breed are positive about the environment. They like to play with children, kinsmen and other animals. However, it should be remembered that there is a wide variety in the breed and there are associative and fearful animals.

Left alone, the poodle tries to attract attention, e.g. barking or bringing toys. If he is given enough movement and exercise, he is comfortable at home. Bored, he can destroy objects, search all angles, open cabinets and bags, jump on furniture. It is worth providing him with occupations such as a teether or hard-to-destroy toy.

Miniature poodle. Skills

Poodles were bred as working animals. Their ancestors were probably shaggy shepherd dogs. Later, the poodles served mainly as hunting dogs.

Today, poodles are associated rather with decorative dogs, but they have not lost anything of their intelligence, valued especially in Anglo-Saxon countries, where these dogs take part in professions of obedience. The rest of Europe appreciates mainly the two smallest breeds that prove themselves in agility.

Miniature poodle. Training and education

As an intelligent and clever animal, the poodle learns very quickly. It is sensitive to external stimuli – new sounds and unknown objects. Works in agility, obedience or frisbee if he is properly motivated.

It is lively and usually has a good booty drive. Intelligence and human orientation mean that poodles not only learn quickly, but also train their owners equally quickly.

Who is this race for?

In this breed, there are great possibilities to adjust the dog to his preferences – both in terms of appearance (sizes, colors, hairstyles), as well as character and temperament. A miniature poodle cannot be handled by an elderly or inactive person. This is a dog for someone who likes to move a lot and is not afraid of looking after his coat.

Miniature poodle. Advantages and disadvantages

Disadvantages

• busy, requires a lot of running
• may be barking
• sometimes jealous of the owner
• requires regular care

Advantages

• nice companion
• very susceptible to training
• you can do dog sports with him
• gentle to people and animals
• It doesn’t molt

Health

Poodles are generally healthy dogs, and miniatures are also one of the most long-lived breeds. Some pets live up to 20 years. However, there are also ailments among them.

Responsible breeders test their dogs for genetically determined eye diseases (PRAs) and bone problems. As with other miniature breeds, there is a habitual dislocation of the patella, but also hip dysplasia.

Feeding

In the case of the miniature poodle, like other breeds of this size, special attention should be paid to the teeth, because these dogs have a high tendency to deposit tartar. It is worth giving your dog teeth-cleaning chews.

Care

Certainly, someone who does not like to spend a lot of time caring for a dog should not make a box. You have to invest in a razor or visit a hairdresser with him several times a year. After each walk, look at the coat and remove sticks, leaves, etc.

The long coat protects the poodle from weather changes, but when it is cut short and in frost, you should put on clothes. Otherwise, it is easy to catch a cold, because the dog of this breed has no undercoat. You should also check your ears, especially after swimming, because they are not well ventilated.

History

Poodles were bred as hunting dogs. The oldest images of these quadrupeds come from the fifteenth century, from today’s Germany and Spain. Later we will come across them all over, especially Western and Southern Europe.

For work in water, dogs with curly, ever-growing hair were commonly used here. They didn’t all have to be poodles, but they were at least their cousins. They are connected by a thick, curly, waterproof coat.

Poodles are closely related to Portuguese and Spanish Water Dogs and French Barb. From the time when they were hunting dogs, the “lion’s” hairstyle comes from. To facilitate their swimming, the rump and hind legs were cut, and for protection against the cold, long hair was left on the chest, kidneys and joints.

Due to high intelligence, poodles began to be used as circus dogs. Smaller quadrupeds of this breed were used to search for truffles. They also found their salons and became the favorites of the aristocracy. The FCI recognized France as the country of origin of the poodles, but Germany, Spain and Italy also admit it. The name “poodle” comes from the German word “poodle” – “splash”. In contrast, the French call these quadrupeds “caniche”, which means “dog for ducks.”

The poodle is a breed known and liked all over the world. It is most popular today in Germany, the Scandinavian countries and Russia. In turn, litters of silver and brown quadrupeds are few.

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Miniature poodle – Group IX FCI, section 2, reference number 172

• After walking: France
• Character: a lively, sensitive, intelligent dog, focused on human contact, excellent quadruped companion, friendly towards kinsmen
• Size: 28-35 cm, smaller copy of medium poodle, without dwarf features
• Weight: 4-7 kg
• Coat: rich, dense, woolly, with a tendency to twist, springy; the poodle coat does not molt and grows all the time, as does human hair; a rope robe (as in the pool) is also allowed; requires systematic care
• Color: white, black, brown, silver, apricot, red
• Lifespan: 17-18 years
• Vulnerability to training:  very high
• Activity: likes movement and occupation, but also adapts to a calmer lifestyle
• Resistance/susceptibility to diseases: resistant; there are eye diseases, e.g. PRA, and habitual dislocation of the patella
• Possibility to buy a puppy: black and apricot – no problem, brown and silver – litters are rare, so you have to wait for the puppy

Interesting facts

The “boxes” – as shepherd dogs – are mentioned in the classic of Polish natural science, Fr. Krzysztof Kluk, author of the four-volume work “Domestic and wild, peculiar domestic animals, natural history, beginnings and farm …” (1779-1780).

In the first volume, we read: “Common boxes, mediocre, very shaggy, are the best way to learn everything, so that they can hardly be reasoned (…), they hardly know the sheep’s thoughts in turning sheep”.

At that time, various shaggy dogs were defined as “boxes”, and this quote is often quoted in the context of the history of Polish lowland sheepdogs, which have common ancestors with poodles.