The Poodle is well known as an intelligent, amusing, good natured and eager to please dog that makes a wonderful companion. Throughout the Poodle's history, they has worked in several capacities, from cart pulling to circus dog, from sled-dog to therapy dog, from truffle dog to hand-warmer, from water retriever to gun dog, the Poodle can excel at just about any task given to them. Today, the Poodle is often seen competing in the show ring, in obedience, agility and in field trials.
The Miniature and Toy varieties of Poodle were bred down from the larger Standard Poodles and all three exhibit the same general characteristics. In temperament, the Poodle is calm and steady and should never appear shy or sharp. They carry their self proudly with an air of distinction and nobility. The Toy variety is a dainty and sensitive little dog that makes the perfect companion for a less active person. A Poodle is loyal, sociable, good natured and easy to train. The Toy gets along well with children although for those with very young children, the Miniature or Standard may be a better choice.
The Poodle's coat is non-shedding, dense and of a harsh texture. Two distinct coat types exist — the Corded and Curly. The coat of a corded Poodle will normally start to cord between the ages of 9 to 18 months. Coat colour is any solid colour: black, brown, gray, apricot, cream or white.
Note: According to breed standards, all poodles 10 inches and smaller are the Toy breed. The very tiny poodles are also referred to as "Teacup Poodles" — these are not a separate breed.
If you are considering the adoption of a Toy Poodle puppy, or any breed, it is very important to be selective in choosing a responsible and reputable breeder. Ensure that the prospective puppy's parents have all health clearances. Breeding of any dog should not be done until after they have been proven to be free of evidence of significant hereditary diseases.
Is this the Right Breed for You?
The Poodle is a wonderful family companion. He is very intelligent, adaptable, versatile, and has a great sense of humour. There are three sizes to choose from — Standard, Miniature or Toy. The Poodle's coat comes in various colours and does not shed thus making him a good candidate for many allergy sufferers. It's no wonder that the Poodle is one of the most popular breeds of dog. However, as with all breeds, before you consider bringing any dog into your life, there are many things you should know. Once you bring a dog into your home, they become a family member and deserves to be treated as such. This is a lifetime commitment and you must be prepared to care for them for thier entire life. Here are just a few things that you must consider:
Standard: Measures over 38.1 cm (15 inches) at the highest point of the shoulder.
Miniature: Measures 38.1 cm (15 inches) or under at the highest point of the shoulder, but no less than over 25.4 cm (10 inches).
Toy: Measures 25.4 cm (10 inches) or under at the highest point of the shoulder.
Note: The Fédération Cynologique Internationale Breed Standard includes a fourth variation in size and these are broken down as follows:
The Toy Poodle, being the smallest, is a popular choice for apartment dwellers and the elderly. The Miniature is also small enough to adapt well to apartment living but is more suitable as a child's companion than the Toy. The Standard is the largest of the three varieties and is well suited for those seeking a larger dog.
Poodles are well known for their high intelligence, ease of training, devotion and sense of humor. A Poodle can master virtually any task asked of him and is often seen working as a Therapy Dog, Assistance Dog, Guide Dog as well as in Search and Rescue. All three varieties of Poodle enjoy such sports as Agility, competitive Obedience, the Show Ring and other activities. The Standard Poodle is the sporting type of the three and enjoys field trials, hunting, retrieving and tracking to name a few.
The Poodle is generally very good with children when raised with them. However, the smaller Toy Poodle is better suited to homes with older children.
The Poodle is a people dog. In fact, most Poodles think they are people and absolutely insist on being a part of the family. This is not a dog to be left alone for hours on end.
Although it is not necessary to keep your Poodle clipped in a fancy show style, the Poodle must be groomed on a regular basis to maintain the coat in good condition and free of mats.
If you are not familiar with the Poodle breed, research is a must — with the Internet today, there is an abundance of information available at your fingertips. The Poodle is a very popular dog and there are several good websites devoted to the breed. Keep in mind, however, that every breed has its negative aspects. Whether it is health problems, temperament or behavioral issues, too large, too small, too loud, or too quiet. They are all different and you need to be sure that your choice of a Poodle is the right one, before you make the purchase.
Grooming Information
To keep the coat free of mats, frequent brushing and regular clipping is a must. Special care should be taken to keep the Poodle's long, thickly feathered ears clean and free from infection. Ears should be cleaned weekly and the long hairs in the ear canal should also be gently pulled out regularly. The ear canal should also be swabbed with your finger wrapped in cotton moistened with Groomer or Veterinarian recommended ear cleaner on a regular basis.
Finding a Breeder:
As we are proud and confident with all MRF Poodles has to offer we encourage all our potential customers to read the following information. Once you've made your decision that this is indeed the breed for you, the next step is to find a responsible and reputable Breeder. This is not a task that should be taken lightly and again, research is necessary. The Poodle is considered to be one of the most popular breeds and there are several breeders available. Visit as many as possible and don't be afraid to ask questions. A Breeder should always be more than willing to provide you with all the answers to your questions and then some. You should expect to be questioned (or rather, grilled) as well — A responsible Breeder is always very particular about who he/she sells his/her dogs to. If you visit a Breeder and you feel that you have revealed very little about yourself and yet the Breeder is ready and willing to sell you a pup with virtually no questions asked — Walk away! This is not a responsible Breeder. Whether you are looking for a family companion; a show dog; a dog to be trained in therapy or search and rescue; a dog to have fun with in competitions such as obedience, or agility; the most important aspects are the dog's physical and mental health.
A responsible and ethical Breeder's main goal is to produce only the highest quality Poodles that will better the gene pool. The responsible Breeder studies the pedigrees for quality, health, longevity, temperament and working ability, sometimes travelling great distances to find the best male to match the female. Most responsible Breeders are involved in some aspect of competition, whether it is the show ring for Conformation titles or competitive sports such as Obedience, Agility, or Field Trials. While this may not be something you are interested in pursuing with your new dog, it is still an important point in that it helps prove the Breeder's real interest in the betterment of the breed itself. Ask for references from previous puppy buyers as well as information on any clubs that the Breeder may be a member of. Verify these references and check that the Breeder is in good standing with the club(s).
The importance of finding a reputable breeder cannot be stressed enough. It doesn't matter if you simply want a great companion dog and have no intentions of showing, competing or otherwise working with your dog — you still need to find a healthy and mentally sound puppy. The only place to find this is through a responsible breeder.
Feel free to contact MRF Poodles to set up your puppy viewing.
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