Poodle E-Book

• Herausgeber: CompanionHouse Books
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Serie: Smart Owner's Guide
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2011

Seitenzahl: 226

Beschreibung

Celebrating the canine world's genius child, the Poodle, boasting the most abundant coat in dogdom and the most humanlike personality, this Smart Owner's Guide, created by the editors at Dog Fancy magazine, offers the most up-to-date and accurate information every dog owner needs to become a well-informed caregiver for his dog. Illustrated with color photographs of adorable puppies and handsome adults, this easy-to-read primer is designed in a modern, lively manner that readers will find user-friendly and entertaining.Each Smart Owner's Guide offers a description of the breed's character and physical conformation, historical overview, and its attributes as a companion dog. The reader will find informative chapters on everything he or she needs to know about acquiring, raising, and training this remarkable purebred dog, including: finding a breeder and selecting a healthy, sound puppy; preparing for the puppy's homecoming, shopping for supplies, and puppy-proofing the home; house-training; veterinary and home health maintenance; feeding and nutrition; and grooming. Obedience training for basic cues (sit, stay, heel, come, etc.) and solving potential problem behaviors (barking, chewing, aggression, jumping up, etc.) are addressed in separate chapters, as are activities to enjoy with the dog, including showing, agility, therapy work, and more.Entertaining tidbits and smart advice fill up colorful sidebars in every chapter, which the editors call "It's a Fact," "Smart Tip," "Notable & Quotable," and "Did You Know?" Real-life heroes and rescue stories are retold in full-page features called "Pop Pups" and "True Tails." Recipes, training, and care tips are highlighted in the "Try This" feature pages.The Smart Owner's Guide series is the only series that offers readers an online dogchannel.com. Here owners of the breed can find forums, blogs, and profiles to connect with other breed owners, as well as charts and checklists that can be downloaded. More than just 20,000 pages of solid information, there's a host of fun to be had at the club in the form of downloadable breed-specific e-cards, screensavers, games, and quizzes.The Resources section of the book includes contact information for breed-related organizations and rescues, as well as practical guidance on traveling with dogs, identification, and locating qualified professionals to assist the dog owner, such as pet sitters, trainers, and boarding facilities. This information-packed Smart Owner's Guide is fully indexed.

Leseprobe

Table of Contents

Title Page

Foreword

CHAPTER 1 - PEOPLE PLEASERS

THE TOY AND THE MINI

HIGH ENERGY LEVEL

HIGH MAINTENANCE

THE STANDARD

STANDARDS LOVE PEOPLE

CHAPTER 2 - THE POODLE’S PAST

WHICH CAME FIRST

UNMISTAKABLE

AMERICAN POODLES

OH, THAT HAIR!

CHAPTER 3 - FINDING A PUPPY

EVALUATING BREEDERS

CHOOSING THE RIGHT PUP

CHECKING FOR POODLE QUALITIES

D-I-Y TEMPERAMENT TEST

PHYSICAL FEATURES

PUPPY PARTICULARS

BREEDER PAPERS

CHAPTER 4 - HOME ESSENTIALS

PUPPY-PROOFING

FAMILY INTRODUCTIONS

PUP’S FIRST NIGHT HOME

PET-SUPPLY STORE SHOPPING

BEYOND THE BASICS

CHAPTER 5 - SUCCESSFUL HOUSETRAINING

IN THE BEGINNING

LET’S START WITH THE CRATE

A PUP’S GOT NEEDS

HOUSING HELPS

IN CONTROL

SCHEDULE A SOLUTION

CHAPTER 6 - VET VISITS AND EVERYDAY CARE

FIRST STEP: SELECT THE RIGHT VET

FIRST VET VISIT

VACCINATION SCHEDULING

EVERYDAY HAPPENINGS

MORE HEALTH HINTS

CHAPTER 7 - ON THE TOPIC OF HEALTH

EPILEPSY

GOING BLIND

SKIN DISEASE

ADDISON’S DISEASE

BOTTOM LINE

CHAPTER 8 - NUTRITIONAL NOTES

BASIC TYPES

NUTRITION 101

CHECK OUT THE LABEL

STORE IT RIGHT

STAGES OF LIFE

CHAPTER 9 - PRIMPING YOUR POODLE

UNDERSTANDING THE POODLE COAT

TO GROOM OR NOT TO GROOM

THE FASHIONABLE POODLE TRIM

COAT MAINTENANCE

POODLE PEDICURES

EAR AND TEETH CARE

REWARD A JOB WELL DONE

CHAPTER 10 - TIME TO TRAIN

CLICK THIS!

LEARNING SOCIAL GRACES

BASIC CUES

TRAINING TIPS

THE THREE-STEP PROGRAM

COUNTER CONDITIONING

LEAVE IT ALONE

CHAPTER 11 - CHANGING BAD BEHAVIOR

NIP NIPPING

STOP THAT WHINING

CHEW ON THIS

NO MORE JUMPING

UNWANTED BARKING MUST GO

FOOD STEALING AND BEGGING

DIG THIS

POOP ALERT!

AGGRESSION

AGGRESSION TOWARD DOGS

DOMINANT AGGRESSION

SEXUAL BEHAVIOR

CHAPTER 12 - FOR THE FUN OF IT

EXERCISE OPTIONS

AGILITY TRIALS

OBEDIENCE TRIALS

RALLY BEHIND RALLY

TRACKING TALES

SHOW DOGS

CANINE GOOD CITIZEN

THERAPY

CHAPTER 13 - RESOURCES

BOARDING

HOME STAFFING

SCHOOL’S IN SESSION

CAR TRAVEL

IDENTIFICATION

Copyright Page

FOREWORD

K9 EXPERT EDUCATION

If you have taken a poodle into your home from a responsible breeder or a rescue group — or are planning to do so — congratulations! You have fallen in love with one of the most intelligent, versatile and charming breeds in all of dogdom.

Although today’s poodle makes an elegant show dog in his flamboyant clip, under that fancy ‘do beats the heart of a water retriever. In fact, the poodle was first clipped for utilitarian reasons: hair up front to keep his heart, lungs and joints warm; his back end shorn to give him more freedom for swimming. Given half a chance, poodles can still work as proficient water retrievers and even those of the Miniature variety have earned hunting titles.

However, the poodle has a clownish side as well. He can be a total ham and loves to perform for an appreciative audience, be it a circus act, an obedience routine, a victory lap around the show ring or a repertoire of parlor tricks. This breed has such a sense of humor and style that breeders have coined an adjective to capture the essence of the breed: poodley. A poodley dog carries himself proudly, well coiffed and prancing down the street with his head and tail held high. Although the poodle originated in Germany, not France, he exudes a definite joie de vivre, a zest for life.

The poodle also offers owners lots of options … in size, coat and color. The large, or Standard, poodle is the oldest of the three varieties: a fine swimmer, alert watch dog and strong, high-spirited athlete. He makes a fine city dog but needs plenty of exercise. While the American Kennel Club specifies a height of more than 15 inches, most Standard Poodles today are in the 25-inch range. The Toy, at 10 inches or less, and the Miniature, taller than 10 inches to a maximum of 15 inches, make perfect apartment dogs. Historically, these sizes were used in England, Spain and Germany to dig up that great fungus delicacy known as the truffle.

For show purposes, poodles older than one year of age must be exhibited in either the English Saddle clip or the Continental clip. These are the intricate cuts that feature the tall topknot on the head, the pompons on the legs, the big coat at the front end and the shaved back end. Occasionally, ambitious exhibitors cord their poodles’ coats, which is the painstaking process of pulling the hair apart by hand into dreadlocks. Corded poodles were far more common in the early days of showing the breed.

While dog-show exhibitors are limited in their choices, pet owners can select from dozens of clips, including short, all-over-curly cuts that aren’t the least bit froufrou. The poodle coat feels like human hair and, like human hair, continues to grow. Clipping is recommended every eight weeks. It’s not cheap but, on the upside, no shedding dog hair will be left on your clothes and furniture.

Poodles come in an array of attractive solid colors from black, white and various shades of brown to gray, silver, apricot, mahogany red and cream. Patched and multi-colored poodles also exist. Although these are not permitted in the AKC show ring, they may be exhibited at United Kennel Club dog shows. Affectionate, stylish and amazingly intelligent, poodles of all sizes are a pleasure to know and a joy to live with.

With this Smart Owner’s Guide™, you are well on your way to getting your poodle diploma.

But your poodle education doesn’t end here.

You’re invited to join in Club

Poodle™ (DogChannel.com/Club-Poodle ), a FREE online site with lots of fun and instructive features such as:

• forums, blogs and profiles where you can connect with other poodle owners

• downloadable charts and checklists to help you be a smart and loving poodle owner

• access to poodle e-cards and wallpapers

• interactive games

• canine quizzes

The Smart Owner’s Guide series and Club Poodle are backed by the experts at DOG FANCY® magazine and DogChannel.com — who have been providing trusted and up-to-date information about dogs and dog people for more than 40 years. Log on and join the club today!

Allan Reznik, Editor-at-Large, DOG FANCY

CHAPTER 1

PEOPLE PLEASERS

Whatever his size — Standard, Miniature or Toy — poodles are athletic, agile dogs that need some outlet for their abundant energy and superior smarts. The poodle is also a people pooch who loves to socialize and hang out with his human family. But is this breed, in his three varieties, the right breed for you and your family? If so, which size is best for you? Let’s find out, starting with the Toy and the Miniature.

THE TOY AND THE MINI

Life is never dull with a Toy or Miniature Poodle. Like their big brother, the Standard Poodle, they’re active, athletic dogs that excel in most every canine sport, from agility to rally. They also make wonderful therapy dogs. When it comes to dog sports and activities, there isn’t much of anything that a poodle can’t do, given the right training. Exuberant and enthusiastic, poodles view the world as their stage, with humans as the adoring audience to their performance. None of this is surprising for a breed that once made his living as a circus performer.

Because they’ve lived and worked so closely with people as companions and performers, Toy and Miniature Poodles are highly sensitive to human needs and wants. That’s one of the reasons they’re such great pets, says Dorrit Diehl of Sheboygan, Wisc., a member of the Greater Milwaukee (Wisc.) Poodle Club.

Although the poodle in general — there’s no such thing as an “average” poodle — is a proud, intelligent and dignified dog with a strong sense of self, each has his own special personality. Some are happy-go-lucky, smart but not inquisitive, and others display a high level of intelligence and curiosity that often lands them in trouble. “Most of the [behavior] problems I see with poodles stem from the fact that they are very, very intelligent,” Diehl says.

HIGH ENERGY LEVEL

You might think that their size qualifies Toy and Miniature Poodles as perfect apartment or condo dogs. With the right owner, that might be true. However, Kari Winters of North Hills, Calif., shares her life with two Toy Poodles, Katie and Kelsie, and she believes that her dogs are too loud and energetic for that lifestyle. Katie and Kelsie have a big backyard, but even so, they really love to go for walks.

“Their energy level is extremely high,” Winters says. “Katie loves to race around the bed at high speed, then reverse direction. She’s also fond of removing the stuffing from her toys. We have an agreement. If it’s her toy, she can destroy it if she wants to, but she can’t chew anything that’s not hers. Amazingly, she’s good about it. Kelsie likes cat toys, such as mice and catnip things.”

Poodles come in a variety of colors: blues, grays, silvers, browns, café-au-laits, apricots, creams and more. The color, however, should be an even, solid color or a coat in varying shades of the same color. The poodle should not have a coat of two or more different colors.

Toy Poodles like playing with all kinds of squeaky toys, rattles and even empty paper towel rolls, says Ianthe Bloomquist of Palmetto, Fla., who has bred and shown Toy Poodles. “Some will chase a toy or ball as long as your arm holds out.”

Cathy Catelain from Cary, Ill., says her Minis are also active. They like to grab and shake stuffed toys, chase tennis balls and flying discs and chew on edible bones and rawhides. “They like to be kept active, and they play with each other,” she says. “They’ll play tug-of-war, or one will pick up a toy and run with it. In the yard, they run around and chase each other.”

What poodles like best, however, is an elegant stroll that allows them to strut their stuff. It’s easy to imagine them promenading along Paris’ Champs d’Elysees. “You can do a brisk walk with them, but they would much prefer to stop and see all the dogs, kids and other people in the neighborhood,” Catelain says. “They’re extremely social dogs.”

Clearly, Mini and Toy Poodles aren’t simply decorative dogs that look good on the sofa. They need challenges to their intelligence and energy level. Positive reinforcement in the form of praise, along with consistency in training and expectations, works best with poodles. These dogs are sensitive, so it’s important not to make them feel bad. On the other hand, it’s all too easy to let these smart dogs manipulate you into letting them do what they want, rather than what you want. Be firm, and try not to laugh at their attempts at distraction, at least not in their presence.

High energy level aside, poodles are happy to cuddle on the sofa as long as they can be with their people. “They’re active dogs, but when I want to sit on the couch and watch television, they just want to be up there next to me,” Catelain says. “They all lie down in a row. They’re quiet when you want them to be quiet, and active when you want them to be active.”

Poodles come in three sizes: Toy, Miniature and Standard. The main difference among these size varieties is their height: A Standard Poodle, according to the American Kennel Club’s breed standard (a written description of the ideal poodle), is taller than 15 inches at the highest point of the shoulders. A Miniature Poodle must be taller than 10 inches but not more than 15 inches at the shoulders, and a Toy is 10 inches or shorter.

Poodles of all sizes love to be active. Dog sports, such as agility, make great outlets for their energy.

Meet other poodle owners just like you. On our poodle forums, you can chat about your poodle and ask other owners for advice on training, health issues and anything else about your favorite dog breed. Log onto DogChannel.com/Club-Poodle for details!

Poodles can be lap dogs at times; just make sure they get plenty of exercise during the day!

Poodles can, however, develop behavior problems if their people give in to the desire to spoil them rather than provide them with the training and discipline they need to become good companions. They have a reputation for being yappy and have a habit of jumping on people. But both of those behaviors can be curbed with proper training.

Although all poodles can have their bad-behavior moments, housetraining is where they shine. Poodles are very easy to housetrain: They want to be clean, they don’t want to be in a dirty crate or pen, and they’re very good about telling you if they have to go out.

Show your artistic side. Share photos, videos and artwork of your favorite breed on Club Poodle. You can also submit jokes, riddles and even poetry about poodles. Browse through our various galleries and see the talent of fellow poodle owners. Go to DogChannel.com/Club-Poodle and click on “Galleries” to get started.

HIGH MAINTENANCE

There’s a lot to consider before deciding to acquire a Toy or Mini Poodle, but the most important thing to know is that they are high-maintenance dogs. Just in case it’s not clear from looking at a poodle’s curly coat, this dog needs to be groomed on a regular basis. Even if you keep your Toy or Mini Poodle’s coat trimmed short, it still needs to be brushed regularly.

Poodles love to look good. If they were people, they’d be supermodels showing off the latest fashion designs. But like some supermodels, they might pretend to disdain or even dislike the whole beautification process.

On the upside, when poodle hair falls out — and poodles do shed to some extent, no matter what you may have heard to the contrary — it usually sticks in the coat rather than falling onto the floor or floating onto furniture and clothing. That’s because the woolly poodle has a crooked hair shaft. It’s also one of the reasons it’s so important to brush poodles regularly. If you don’t remove the hairs that have fallen out, mats and tangles form.

The good news is that poodles don’t shed a lot of hair all at once, the way most other breeds do. Their hair has a long growth cycle and falls out a little at a time throughout the year. If you keep it clipped regularly, you shouldn’t have a problem with any dog hairs on your furniture, clothes, etc. They also don’t appear to shed a great deal of dander. This may be why some people who are allergic to dogs can tolerate poodles quite well.

THE STANDARD

The Standard Poodle’s retrieving roots have resulted in a highly active dog that needs an owner who can keep up. “They’re extremely athletic dogs,” says Sherry Bryant, former president of the Tidelands Poodle Club of Virginia.

A wise poodle owner will channel his or her dog’s athleticism into acceptable outlets, such as canine sports. Bryant began competing her dog, Toula, in agility. Within a few short months, Toula had earned her American Kennel Club Novice Agility title and began working on adding more titles to that achievement.

Although you should never select a puppy based solely on color or sex, some breeders believe that there are slight differences among colors and categories. Examples include:

• browns are clowns

• whites tend to hold grudges

• males want to make you happy

• females act as though you’re here to make them happy

Other owners have taken more unorthodox routes to helping their dogs discharge excess energy. For example, Alaska resident John Suter literally harnessed his Standard Poodles’ talents. In the late 1980s, he raced his team of poodles — dubbed “Spirit Poodles” by a friend — in the grueling Iditarod sled dog race. This unusual team never won the race, but they finished each of the three times that Suter entered them. By finishing, they proved to have more endurance than many teams of northern breeds that traditionally dominate the sport, many of which quit before the end of the race.

However, a Standard Poodle need not compete in formal sports to get sufficient exercise. A daily romp at the dog park, some play with a canine friend, a brisk walk or a fetch session in a fenced yard each day can keep this dog mellow and happy. Maryln Brooks, a breeder from Phoenix, Az., recommends that Standard Poodle owners “have a large yard where [the dog] can run and play, or be taken on long, daily — or at least biweekly — hikes.”

Poodle puppies are very intelligent and shouldn’t be difficult to housetrain.

NOTABLE & QUOTABLE

A poodle’s tail is one of the best indications of the pup’s temperament and health. If it’s not straight up, something is wrong. — Ann Kennedy of Stockton, Calif., an American Kennel Club judge who has bred and finished more than 100 champions

Poodles love to be around other dogs, especially other poodles.

For each variety of poodle, the litter size varies. Standards usually produce the largest litters, from seven to nine pups; Miniatures usually produce three to five pups; and Toys only produce two to three.

STANDARDS LOVE PEOPLE

The Standard Poodle’s eagerness to please reflects what devotees agree is the central fact of this breed’s life: The poodle adores the people he lives with.

“Poodles are just so anxious to be with you at all times,” says Standard Poodle breeder Marion Banta from Asbury, N.J. “Poodles are constantly underfoot. When I’m working in the kitchen, the dogs are all lying at my feet trying to get as close as possible. When I go into another room it’s a parade of poodles!”

Brooks agrees. “Poodles actually think that they’re people,” she says. “They’ll follow you from room to room as you clean house, and don’t wish to be left outside.”

NOTABLE & QUOTABLE

Poodles are one of the smartest dogs. They take on different roles for different people in order to meet their needs. They know when you’re happy or sad. They know when you’re sick, and they take care of you. And there’s nothing more beautiful than a poodle in show coat all done up. Whether they win or lose, they take your breath away. — Mini owner Cathy Catelain from Cary, Ill.

The operative word in Brooks’s statement, of course, is “left.” When the poodle’s special person is also outside, the poodle is happy to be there. A case in point is the legendary Boye, a white Standard Poodle who was the companion of Prince Rupert of the Palinate (1619-1682), who was a gifted military commander of the English Civil War during the seventeenth century. Boye apparently exhibited the Standard Poodle’s usual Velcro-dog characteristics: He accompanied his master not only to the battlefield but also to church, military councils and meals. He even stayed with Rupert for the three years the prince was in prison. But Boye didn’t confine his love to his master. He also was devoted to Rupert’s uncle, King Charles I of England (1600-1649), who returned the dog’s affection wholeheartedly. In fact, Boye was a great favorite among the soldiers under Rupert’s command, who attributed their many early victories to Boye’s presence.

According to Banta, poodles can fall in love with just about anyone. “Poodles are extremely adaptable,” she says. “They just love to be with people who love them. They can fit into a household full of young children or live with a couple of retirees.”

Poodle breeder Linda Caldwell from Burrell, Pa., agrees. “All of my dogs have never met a stranger, and they love everyone,” she says. “I take them to work with me quite frequently, and they visit my mother in the nursing home. They love the residents there and are very tolerant of everyone, including my grandchildren, who lay all over them and hug and kiss them constantly.”

That tolerance extends to the show ring, too. “Every poodle I’ve met on the show circuit has been so friendly and sweet,” Caldwell says. “There can be problems in any breed, but as a whole, I think the poodle temperament is wonderful. Hundreds of folks have passed my dogs on a grooming table at dog shows. If they get close enough, they get a big wet kiss; if they aren’t that close, they merely get a paw on the arm or shoulder.”

Twenty-first century Standard Poodle owners have found that their dogs are even willing to put their people ahead of themselves. Bryant believes that poodles would do better in the agility ring if they had less of a partnership ethic. “If the handler has a problem on the agility course, the poodle tries to compensate for the handler’s performance, unlike a lot of Border Collies that continue working the course with or without the handler,” Bryant explains. “This is why so many poodles slow down in agility.”

Poodles are smart, sympathetic, sweet and sure to be your best pal — no matter their size!

True Tails

Bentley Gets a New Ride

Marie Bennington of Athens, Ga., wanted a “Velcro” dog (a dog that would stick with her), and she knew she wanted that dog to be a poodle.

When she found Bentley, she knew he’d be a great match for her family. The 70-pound Standard Poodle-mix had been found wandering the streets of Atlanta, starving, badly matted and in desperate need of veterinary care.

Bennington called Atlanta Pet Rescue, where Bentley was fostered, and discovered that he was a wonderful dog, but that he was mouthy and tended to bite hands. Bennington, a dog owner all her life, wasn’t concerned. She knew that Bentley just wanted attention.

She filled out the adoption application and the rescue called to ask questions. Bennington is a truck driver, and the rescue volunteers were concerned that the dog wouldn’t like being cooped up in a semi truck’s cab for long periods, and they feared that he wouldn’t get enough exercise. Fortunately for both truck driver and dog, federal law requires that drivers have 10 hours off daily, which leaves plenty of time for long walks. When at home, Bentley would have free run of the property to chase squirrels.

“They called our family vet to check that our two dogs had their shots and asked questions about how we cared for our pets,” Bennington says. “We provided other references, as well, so they could talk to people who know us and could tell them how we treat our pets. This important work is mostly done by volunteers, to ensure that a dog is placed in a home that will properly care for him and not neglect him.

Many dogs in rescues have socialization or behavioral problems, so rescue groups screen the applicants carefully to ensure that the person who adopts a particular dog is knowledgeable and capable of handling that dog’s particular issues. After all the screening was done, we were approved!”

Bentley still gets mouthy, but he’s getting much better with the positive training that the Benningtons give him in his new home. “He spends a lot of time with our children and feels the need to keep them in sight as much as possible,” Bennington says.

Bentley went from a sad situation to a loving family, bringing plenty of joy to his new family. “He still has the poodle sense of humor that endears this breed to everyone who meets one,” she says.

THE TOPIC OF TOYS

This Toy has the biggest cuteness factor, and he certainly likes to be played with!

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Germany

WHAT HIS FRIENDS CALL HIM: Tiny, Small Fry, Poo-poo

GROUP: Toy

SIZE: up to 10 inches tall; 5 to 7 pounds

COAT & COLOR: The harsh and curly coat can be kept natural, corded or clipped and comes in a uniform color, including apricot, black, blue, cream, gray, silver or white.

PERSONALITY TRAITS: intelligent, highly trainable, more sensitive than Standards

WITH KIDS: may be too tiny for very young children

WITH OTHER PETS: fine, if properly socialized

LIFESPAN: 12 to 14 years

A MINIATURE MOMENT

Portable and petite, this mini poodle is the most popular.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Germany

WHAT HIS FRIENDS CALL HIM: Bozo, Happy, Wallenda, Mini Me

GROUP: Non-Sporting

SIZE: 11 to 15 inches tall; 14 to 16 pounds

COAT & COLOR: The harsh and curly coat can be kept natural, corded or clipped and comes in a uniform color, including apricot, black, blue, cream, gray, silver or white.

PERSONALITY TRAITS: intelligent, highly trainable, more sensitive than Standards

WITH KIDS: no problems here

WITH OTHER PETS: fine, if properly socialized

LIFESPAN: 10 to 13 years

STANDARD IN SHORT

There’s nothing standard about this Standard.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Germany

WHAT HIS FRIENDS CALL HIM: Big Boy, Andre, Pierre, Curly

GROUP: Non-Sporting

SIZE: More than 15 inches tall; 45 to 70 pounds

COAT & COLOR: double coated, with a curly, harsh outer coat. It may be clipped or corded. Colors include apricot, black, blue, cream, gray, silver, brown, café au lait or white.

PERSONALITY TRAITS: intelligent, highly trainable. He is affectionate with friends and family but can be aloof toward strangers.

WITH KIDS: very well

GROOMING: To keep the coat mat-free, it should be brushed daily and clipped regularly, at least four times a year. Special care should be taken to keep the poodle’s long, thickly feathered ears clean and free from infection.

ENERGY LEVEL: high

SPECIAL NEEDS: exercise, professional grooming, training

LIFESPAN: 10 to 13 years

CHAPTER 2

THE POODLE’S PAST

A strong, supple, canine swimmer paddles through the sparkling water of an ancient lake, retrieving a duck in his mouth. His muscled hindquarters ripple, his face projects an alert intelligence and as he scrambles to shore and shakes off the water, his thick coat of water-repellent curls seems to dry in an instant.

Where could this lake have been and when did this poodle live? The first curly-coated dog with a penchant for duck hunting might have come from Germany, or France, or Russia, or maybe even ancient Rome. Many people theorize about the poodle’s origins, but we do know one thing for sure: People have admired, worked with and bred poodle-like dogs for centuries all across Europe. Let’s look at some of the historical clues to how the poodle, in all three sizes — Standards, Toy and Miniature — and a rainbow of colors — blues, grays, silvers, browns, blacks, to name a few — became the intelligent, athletic and almost-human companion we know and love today.

Fluffed and coiffed, poodles have a look that says “Pamper me,oui?” The truth about the national dog of France is that beneath all that hair, there’s a ruggedly-built water retriever that’s extremely qualified to help others. In fact, poodles excel at dog-assisted therapy, bringing comfort and joy to the sick, injured and elderly.

WHICH CAME FIRST