Edie MacKenzie

Edie MacKenzie is a published author, traveler, dog lover, and tortoise enthusiast. Passionate about what she does, her books provide peopel a firm grounding in the dog breed and their unique characteristics with a nice touch of humor.

Mixing Poodles With Young Children

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Poodles And Kids

Poodles make wonderful family pets and they absolutely love all children! Poodles and children can be excellent companions. The well-bred Poodles good disposition makes him a trustworthy playmate, and his sense of humor makes him a child’s favorite entertainer.

That’s not to say every Poodle will be accepting of children. Some Poodles, the result of careless breeding, inherit less-than-sunny dispositions. Proper socialization and adequate training helps determine how accustomed a Poodle is to children. Health status, too, can affect the Poodles attitude toward kids. Older dogs, for example, can be grumpy due to illness. In fact, most all older dogs can become this way, regardless of the breed.

Also consider the Poodle size when it comes to the dog’s safety. The diminutive Toy Poodle is much more delicate than the Miniature and Standard, thus less able to withstand the rough and tumble antics that are inevitable with children.

For the most part, if you have kids, a Poodle is a good choice. But be prepared to supervise all Poodle-child interactions. That’s the key to any successful dog-child relationship: Adults must supervise to ensure the safety of both child and dog.

The degree of supervision varies, depending upon how old the child is and how old and well socialized the Poodle. Babies and toddlers need constant supervision when with pets. Never leave toddlers alone with animals (or another child). As the child grows and shows maturity, supervision may be decreased. While babies and young children should never be alone with the Poodle, older children (ages seven, eight, or nine) can, for example, play in the yard with the Poodle. Parents need not be right in the midst of the game, but should stay close by.

Along with supervision, parents should provide ongoing instruction for children in how to treat a pet kindly. Kids are not born knowing how to pet nicely; they must be taught. The best way to do that is for parents to model the desired behavior. Show the child how to pet with an open hand and not grab. Talk to the child as you demonstrate, explaining what you’re doing and why. Keep your lessons short and simple. Kids will be kids, though, and will forget your instructions. That’s where constant supervision comes in.

You can observe how the child interacts with your Poodle and correct as needed.

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12 Poodle Health Problems To Be Aware Of

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Poodle Health Issues

1. Cruciate ligament injury is a condition in which diagonally crossed ligaments in the rear leg are injured and must be corrected surgically. This condition in a Poodle is especially painful.

2. Elbow dysplasia, also known as osteochondrosis, is often found in young growing dogs. It is genetic. A Poodle allowed to exercise in excess are often at risk for this condition.

3. Abnormal elbows are graded based on the severity of the dysplasia, while normal elbows of a Poodle 24 months old and older receive OFA certification. This scheme is designed to help identify dysplastic dogs and to help breeders eliminate affected dogs from their breeding programs.

4. Hip dysplasia is similar to elbow dysplasia; it is a genetically acquired problem of the hips in which the head of the femur does not fit correctly into the hip joint. The OFA also has a screening program for hips, in which hip x-rays of dogs at least 24 months old are evaluated and graded in one of seven categories: Excellent, Good, Fair, Borderline, Mild, Moderate and Severe.

5. Legg-Calve-Perthes disease is a disorder of the hip joint, often seen in young small-breed dogs, which causes lameness and pain in one leg. Surgical removal of the femoral head is the usual treatment.

6. Kneecap dislocation or medial patellar luxation occurs when the kneecap slips out of place and rests on the inside of the knee. This condition is mostly seen in small dogs. Therapy may help, but surgery is more frequently used to relieve the problem. It is most probably genetic in origin.

7. Bloat or stomach torsion is a condition in which the stomach twists over and fills with air, releasing toxins into the bloodstream. This requires immediate medical help. It can be fatal if not treated early enough. This condition is usually a concern for deep-chested breeds and may affect the Standard Poodle; your vet can advise you of precautionary measures against bloat.

8. Cushing’s syndrome is a pituitary disorder in which the body produces too much cortisone. It is medically treatable.

9. Hypothyroidism is a hormone problem usually seen in older dogs. It can be treated by a veterinarian.

10. Patent ductus heart disease is a congenital heart defect that is genetic. Surgery is required for correction.

11. Epilepsy is a disorder characterized by a seizure in the brain that can be controlled with medication.

12. Von Willebrand’s disease is genetic in nature. It is a bleeding disorder in which a low clotting factor can prove fatal.   A Poodle should be tested for clotting factor prior to surgery.

Poodle Breed Standard

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Describing the Poodle as an individual breed is best articulated by whats called a “breed standard.” This specific standard is compared with what genetics determine – a dog’s physical characteristics, such as height, weight, body type, color, or coat. Breed standards also spell out the breeds desired temperament, personality, and faults. Breed standards assigned by a kennel or dog club may vary slightly from nation to nation, and can change over time.

In a nutshell, the breed standard paints a picture of what the ideal Poodle should look like and how it should act, making it distinct and special from other breeds. Only those dogs that most closely meet the standard receive championship status or are elected to be bred, at least in theory. The first American Kennel Club official standard for the Poodle was approved in 1901.

The very first AKC breed standard for the Poodle was similar to the standard for The Kennel Club (English), which was written in 1886. Three distinct varieties of the Poodle – Toy, Miniature, and Standard – existed then, but they were distinguished by weight rather than height as they are now. The following description summarizes the current breed standard, as set by the Poodle Club of America:

Appearance: The Poodle is intelligent and elegant in appearance. Known for his alert expression, the Poodle is well proportioned and moves gracefully. The Poodle has what enthusiasts call “an air of distinction.” Its poise and dignity are unique to this breed.

Size: There are three sizes or varieties of Poodles: Standard, Miniature, and Toy. They are all the same breed. Toy Poodles are 10 inches tall or less at the shoulder, Miniatures are 15 inches or less, and Standards are 15 inches or taller.

These three are the only sizes recognized by the American Kennel Club, though prospective Poodle buyers may find “teacup” (very small Toys) or “royal” (very large Standards) Poodles as one of their choices. However, these are not AKC-accepted sizes.

Coat: No matter which size of Poodle you choose, the Poodle’s curly coat is her crowning glory. White, black, brown, cream, blue, gray, and apricot are the colors accepted by the AKC. A well-bred Poodle’s coat texture is one-of-a-kind: harsh, dense, and curly.

Personality: The Poodle’s other greatest asset is his personality. Poodles are highly intelligent, good natured, sensitive, and adaptable. Poodles are people lovers, and aim to please, generally following through on any request their owner may ask. Poodles are suited to show careers, field work, therapy dog work, or life as a pleasing companion. Being the adaptable animals they are, the Poodle can live happily in a city apartment or take to life on the farm.

Should You Get A Toy, Miniature, Or Standard Poodle?

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Poodle Pups are certainly adorable, but they are a lot of work. Repeat: They are a lot of work! It will take time and effort to teach your puppy the ropes: house-training, manners, grooming, and socializing. If you’re home a lot, perhaps you work from a home office or you are a stay-at home parent, a puppy could be a good bet since you may be able to supervise and acclimate your new friend better.

As well, puppies almost invariably are a bit more playful, and you can develop his personality to your liking. Remember, too, that the first year of a dog’s life is an expensive one! However, if you’re not up to the tireless effort that puppies require, consider adopting an adult Poodle. You can find many available at rescue organizations and sometimes at animal shelters. With an adult dog, you’re past house-training, crying, jumping, and chewing – hopefully.

Adult Poodles also come with a developed personality, which can be wonderful. When it comes to the choice between a male or female Poodle, you’ll encounter proponents of each sex. Some believe female Poodles bond more closely to men and vice versa. In general, enthusiasts say a female Poodle has the attitude of “what can you do for me?” while the male Poodle has the attitude of “what can I do for you?” The Poodle is a one-breed-fits-all in terms of size. What’s so cool about the Poodle is that there’s a size to fit anyone or any household!

The Toy variety is popular among individuals with limited space. Though small in size, the Toy is hardy in stature and has all the heart and spirit of a big dog. Toys can be trained to do just about anything except play the retrieving game. Because of its small size, Toys are sometimes overly spoiled and babied by their owners. Like all dogs, Toys need training and proper socialization.

Because of its tiny size, the Toy may not be a good choice for a family with young children. Larger Poodles are better able to handle the normal roughhousing that goes along with kids. If properly supervised, though, a Toy can fit nicely into a family home.

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The Miniature Poodle, larger and sturdier than the Toy but not a big dog, is also popular among individuals with limited space, and travels well, too. For those who love big dogs and Poodles, the Standard variety is an excellent choice. Exercise and activity requirements are greater than for smaller varieties, but a 100-acre ranch is not a necessity. A Standard can live comfortably in the city with daily romps in the park. Maintenance costs go up with each variety. Toy, Miniature, or Standard. Obviously, it costs more to feed and groom a Standard Poodle than it does to groom a Toy or Mini.

The Origin Of Today’s Poodle

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Today’s Poodle

Theories on the precise origin of the Poodle vary from authority to authority, but it has been agreed that three sizes could be found throughout Europe: small (but not toy), medium and large. The desired color of well-bred Poodles was black, with white, brown or partial colored dogs being regarded as lesser quality.

The large and medium-sized dogs were extraordinary swimmers and eager retrievers.

Since they had to work in extremely cold waters, Poodles made good use of their profuse coat; however, the very thickness of the coat was a hindrance to their swimming and potentially hazardous in the swamps and reeds in which they worked.

To overcome this problem, hunters devised styles of shearing that bared the hindquarters to allow for free use of the back legs, which in turn gave the dogs more swiftness and lightness in swimming.

Regardless of variety, the Poodle is one of the most intelligent of the canine race, having within its own breed great variations of character.

In fact, there is something more human than canine about most Poodles, which quality makes them unique dogs and enchanting companions.

Whatever its origin, the Poodle is a well-established breed, for – as far as standards and records show – it has scarcely changed through the centuries, and the various standards of different countries today are much alike. The Poodles of today are a lot higher on the leg, as well as longer and narrower in the head and muzzle than formerly.

If this fashion in type does not become too exaggerated, it improves the natural grace and beauty of the breed.

Today’s Poodle Styles

The various styles of clipping the Poodle are a matter of taste. The two seen most today are the Continental, which leaves the hindquarters bare, with rosettes on the hips and hocks; and the English or saddle clip, in which a short, clipped blanket of hair covers the hips. The fashion of clipping the Poodle has sometimes been called artificial, even detrimental to the dignity of the breed, but it is such an ancient tradition and in many ways so practical, that it is certain to continue. One has only to know a Poodle for a brief time to realize that its great natural dignity, vitality, and sportsmanship are not diminished but rather enhanced by this unique and ancient style of clipping parts of the coat.

Until recently, Poodles in the show ring could be seen with bright ribbons adorning their topknots. This tradition began when different colors of ribbons were used to distinguish one dog from another when they were in the water hunting for their masters. The method by which the Poodle hunted on land entailed his flushing of the game for his master, or, in some cases, actually attacking the game himself. During the period in which the Poodle was known as the “Water Dog” his hunting was not a sporting diversion for his master, but a very serious and necessary means of obtaining food. Thus, because of the importance of the hunt, those Poodles selected to work in the woods had to meet exceedingly stringent requirements. Hunters required dogs that were intelligent, obedient and reliable, traits still present and revered in the Poodle today.

The Poodle: A Brief History Lesson

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The Poodle – A  History

Poodles found their way to America from England. They did so in 1887. Prior to World War I, Poodle popularity reached a peak at American dog shows. Originally, Standards and Miniatures in America were shown as a single breed, and Toys were shown as a separate breed prior to World War II.

The Poodle Club of America, founded in 1931 to govern the standard of perfection for all Poodles, offered classes with the same criteria for all three sizes. As a matter of fact, the first Miniature to earn an American championship title was the black English dog named “Chopstick”.

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Some of England’s finest Poodles as well as several from the Continent were imported to America during the early 1900s. Their genetic heritage still carries on today, and we often see the names of well-known English dogs in the pedigrees of modern American Poodles.

By 1960, America had caught up with the British and European interest in the breed. Poodles became the most popular breed of dog in American Kennel Club registration. In the 1930s, Helen Whitehouse Walker, owner of Carillon Kennels, wanted to introduce the sport of obedience into America. She was tired of hearing people say that Poodles, with their fancy hairdos, were vanity dogs. She vowed to prove the Poodle’s intelligence and ability to be well-trained to America.

In 1934, as England was enjoying the growing sport of obedience “trialing”, Mrs. Walker went to Great Britain to study the sport and the training methods for obedience. When she returned
home to America, she shared what she had learned with others, including her dear friend, Blanche Sauders, who ultimately became a renowned obedience exhibitor and teacher.

By 1947, America was ready to recognize obedience competition. The American Kennel Club officially adopted the rules and regulations for the sport and established an obedience department within its ranks.

From the working Poodle-like dogs of Europe in the 12th century to the sophisticated Poodles of the 21st century, the breed maintains its ancestral traits  that endear it to people around the world. Thus, centuries after the breed’s development, there seems no reason to believe the Poodle will be any less popular in the future than they have been in the past.

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