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Quick Facts
| Family: | Water Dog, Companion |
| Region of Origin: | Central Europe |
| Originally used for | lapdog |
| Also known as | Caniche |
| Height: | 10" maximum |
| Life Span: | 12-14 years |
| Color: | any solid color |
| Weight: | 4-8 lbs |
The Standard Poodle is the largest and oldest type, having descended from proficient water dogs of unknown origin. The practice of clipping the coat began in an effort to ease movement through water. The Miniature Poodle and Toy Poodle soon followed the Standard Poodle in development. Both were known by the 1750s and were performers and entertainers.
The coat needs constant attention to be kept mat-free and requires grooming at least every two months. 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. Problem spots for Poodles are almost always the ears and legs. Most Poodle owners seek professional grooming due to the difficulty of the haircuts. It is not uncommon for a scissor cut on a Toy to take an hour for a veteran groomer. Regular ear cleaning, hand-stripping, and nail trimming are also required.
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 watchdog 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.