French Poodle – Everything you need to know

Elegant, confident, and astute, Poodle is an excellent puppy, as shown by the many best-of-show winners in this dog breed. However, under the blue ribbons, incredible hairdos, and regal appearance, you’ll discover an affectionate family dog with a long past and a range of skills. And if these are purebred puppies, you may find them in shelters or relief groups.

Poodles are one of the most intelligent dogs worldwide. They’re easy to train and adapt to almost every task you give them — and you’ll continue to provide them with tasks. If they aren’t physically and mentally exercised, bored Poodles may become aggressive. On the other hand, responsible parents can find a caring, insightful, trainable, and faithful family companion if they can fulfill their dog’s needs.

Even though today’s Poodles tend to reflect a life of recreation and luxury, make no mistake: these are working dogs. Though it does not seem so when looking at a show-ready Poodle, the breed was initially bred as a water retriever, a role that involved leaping into the water to catch waterfowl for hunters.

Poodle’s English word derives from the German word pudel, or pudelin means “to jump in the water.” Poodles are also known as Caniche in France, a term taken from the French word chien canard, which means duck dog. And the intricate coat shaping for which the breed is known once had a functional purpose: clipped areas lightened the dog’s coat and kept it from snagging on aquatic obstacles, while long fur around the joints and vital organs shielded the dog from the cold.

There are three types of Poodles, all known to be part of the same breed: Toy, Miniature, and Standard, in order of smallest to largest. The oldest of the three breeds is the Standard Poodle, though others still serve as water retrievers in the Poodle tradition.

Poodles are known for their playful yet dignified personalities and keen intellect, regardless of size. This Poodle is an “A” student when it comes to school, and she excels in performance sports like discipline, endurance, and chase studies. Poodle, despite his regal attitude, is not a snob. They are people-friendly dogs that enjoy spending time with their family and are still up for a fun game. They get bored when left alone for long periods.

French Poodle Basic Information

Name: French Poodle
Size: Standard, Miniature, Toy
Height: Over 15 inches (Standard)
Weight: Males: 45 to 80 pounds & Females: 40 to 60 pounds
Coat: Curly, Wiry and Dense
Lifespan: 10 to 18 years
Color: Blue, black, white, silver, brown, apricot, café-au-lait, and cream.
Energy: Medium to High
Origin: Germany
Hypoallergenic: Yes
Activities: Clever, Proud, show-winners, hunting waterfowl, sniffing truffles in the woods, duck hunting.
Barking Level: Low to Medium
Shedding Level: Infrequent
Litter Size: 6 to 7 puppies
Group: Non-Sporting group
Other Names: Poodle, Sleeve Puppy
Breed’s Original Pastime: fetch, water activities, friendly, agile

Different Types of French Poodle

One of the most popular dogs in the US is Poodles. They are affectionate, intelligent, enthusiastic, with a unique curly coat. They come in three different types, which are discussed below:

Standard Poodle

It is the largest in the breed. They are at least 15 inches, and they weigh about 45 to 80 pounds. They are pretty good guard dogs, as they stay alert and are protective about their owners.

Miniature Poodle

According to the American standard, a miniature Poodle is a medium-sized poodle. It is about 11 to 15 inches tall and weighs around 14 to 18 pounds. They are good pets for families.

Toy Poodle

This is a tiny poodle and the smallest of the breed. It weighs less than 10 pounds. They are about 8 to 10 inches tall.

French Poodle History

The Poodle is one of the popular breeds produced exclusively for waterfowl hunting. According to most scholars, the Poodle is said to have originated in Germany but evolved into its own breed in France.

Many people claim the breed is the result of crosses from several European water dogs, including Spain, Portugal, France, Germany, Hungary, and Russia. Some scholars believe that the North African Barbet, which was introduced to the Iberian Peninsula, is one of the Poodle’s ancestors. The breed then made its way to Gaul, bred for its hunting skills.

Poodles are also thought to have emerged from Asian herding dogs and migrated with the Germanic Goth and Ostrogoth peoples before becoming a German water breed. Another hypothesis is that the Poodle is descended from dogs taken out of the Asian steppes by invading North African Berbers and finally settled in Portugal with the Moors in the 8th century.
This is a very ancient breed, regardless of its ancestry. Poodle-like dogs are depicted on Egyptian and Roman artifacts and tombs dating back to the first centuries B.C. Dogs that mimic modern-day Poodles are shown carrying in game nets, herding wildlife, and collecting games from marshes in the sketches and sculptures.

While some claim that the Miniature and Toy Poodles appeared soon after the Standard, many agree that it wasn’t until the 1400s that breeders started producing tiny variants of the Poodle — first the Miniature Poodle, then the Toy Poodle — to satisfy the Parisian bourgeoisie. Small Poodles were bred together to create the Toy and Miniature types, rather than Poodles being bred to smaller breeds.

The Standard Poodle was used primarily for duck hunting, and the smaller Miniature Poodle was used to sniff out truffles in the forests. The tiny Toy Poodle’s primary role was to act as a friend to royalty and wealthy merchants. The nickname “sleeve puppies” came from wealthy Renaissance owners who wore their Toy Poodles in their big shirtsleeves.

Poodles outshined in another canine profession: circus dog, as Gypsies and traveling artists discovered. To add to their stage charm, they taught Poodles to perform tricks, wrap them in costumes, and sculpt their coats into fanciful designs. Wealthy customers noticed and began cutting, decorating, and even dying their own Poodles.

In 1874, the Kennel Club of England registered the first Poodle, and two years later, the first British club for Poodle enthusiasts was established. While it is unknown when Poodles first appeared in the United States, the American Kennel Club registered the first Poodle in 1886. The Poodle Club of America was founded in 1896, but it was dissolved soon after. In 1931, poodle fans revived the club.

Poodles were relatively scarce in the United States until after World War II. On the other hand, the Poodle had been the most popular breed globally by the mid-1950s, a position he held for more than 20 years.

French Poodle Breed Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Longer lifespan than many other dog breeds	Requires training to avoid bad habits
Does well with children	Require a significant amount of grooming
Doesn’t shed much and can be considered as a hypoallergenic breed	Need plenty of exercise and entertaining

French Poodle Highlights

Poodle’s intelligence and playful nature require obedience training to keep his mind active.
The Poodle coat requires plenty of maintenance to stay beautiful and healthy. Most dog owners take their pets to a professional groomer every 3 to 6 weeks. You can save money on grooming expenses if you do it yourself, but it takes effort and time.
Suppose your Poodle isn’t appropriately trained. In that case, he is likely to assume himself as the head of the family, which is prevalent mostly among the smaller varieties — Miniature and Poodles — who are more pampered and untrained. Teach him good canine manners, and make him understand that he isn’t the pack leader.
The Poodle’s weepy or teary eyes can stain the surrounding hair. To reduce stains, gently wipe down the face daily with a washcloth dipped in warm water.

French Poodle Personality

Poodles come in three sizes: Toy, Small, and Standard. They are different sizes of the same canine, not other breeds. The Toy Poodle can reach a height of 10 inches and weighs between six and nine pounds. The Miniature Poodle is a little dog that stands between 11 and 15 inches tall and weighs between 15 and 17 pounds. The Regular Poodle stands 15 inches and higher (usually 22 inches); males weigh 45 to 80 pounds, and females weigh 40 to 60 pounds.

Blue, black, white, green, silver, orange, café-au-lait, apricot, and cream are some of the shades available for the Poodle’s coat. The hair is curly, wiry, and thick, with a distinctive texture that can be cut, clipped, groomed, shaved, and manipulated into various fanciful forms.

That of an enthusiastic, intelligent, and elegant-looking dog, squarely built, well proportioned, moving eloquently, and confidently bearing himself. When properly clipped and groomed conventionally, the Poodle exudes a sense of distinction and integrity that is unique to him.

Friendliness Overview

Affectionate with Family	High
Kid-Friendly	High
Dog-Friendly	Medium to High
Stranger-Friendly	Medium to High

Adaptability Overview

Apartment Living	High
Good for New Owners	High
Sensitivity Level	Medium to High
Tolerates being Alone	Low
Tolerates Cold Weather	Medium
Tolerates Hot Weather	Medium to High

Trainability Overview

Easy to Train	High
Intelligence	High
Tendency to Nip, Chew, Bite	Medium to High
Prey Drive	Low to Medium
Barking and Howling Tendency	Low to Medium
Wandering Potential	Medium

French Poodle Physical Features

Eyes
Poodles’ eyes are very dark and oval-shaped. The eyes are positioned far apart from each other, which gives the image of an intelligent expression. However, the eyes are protruding, large, and light.

Ears
The ears hang closely from the head, positioned below the eye level. The ear is long, thickly feathered, and comprehensive. The ear, however, should not be of excessive length.

Skull
The skull is moderately round. The cheekbones and the muscles are flat.

Muzzle
The muzzle is long, straight, and delicate, with a bit of chiseling below the eyes.

Teeth
Poodle’s teeth are white, firm, which possess a scissor-like bite.

Neck
Poodles’ neck is finely proportioned, long enough, which lets the head be held high with dignity and strength. The channel arises from the strong shoulders.

Topline
The topline was neither too sloppy nor roached. The topline was an exception of a slight hollow just above the shoulder, from the shoulder blade’s highest point to the tail’s base.

Body

The chest of a poodle is moderately broad and has sprung ribs.
The loin is muscular, short, and broad.
The tail is set high and gives enough balance to the outline.

Forequarters
The forequarter is strong; the shoulders are smoothly muscled. The shoulder is finely laid backward approximately to the same length as the upper foreleg.

Hindquarters
Hindquarters are angled so that it gives a perfect balance to the forequarters. The hind legs are straight and parallel if seen from the rear. The region of the stifles is bent. The tibia and the femur are the same in length.

Coat

The coat is curly and of harsh texture.
The coat is also corded, which hangs tight and varies in length.

Clip

Poodles that are below 12 months are seen in the Puppy clip.
Poodles 12 months or over are seen in English Saddle or the Continental clip.
Poodles are seen in Sporting Clip in Brood Bitch and Stud Dog classes.

Puppy Clip
A puppy clip is a hairstyle that enables a show-quality dog under the age of 12 months to participate in conformation competitions. The puppy clip keeps the dog’s coat long but shaves its face, paws, throat, and tail base. With the puppy picture, groomers shape their coats and have more length options.

Continental Clip
According to groomers, the English saddle clip takes longer to groom than the Continental, mainly because the “historically accurate working-clothes” version is allowed in the conformation ring. The feet, face, throat, and base of the tail are all shaved in the Continental cut. At the tail’s tip, a pompom is permitted. The show dog’s hindquarters and legs are trimmed, with optional pompoms on the hips. There are bracelets or tufts of hair about the knees and pom-pom puffs on the lower region of the forelegs on the Continental clip’s back legs. The dog’s body fur is shaped but left in a complete coat style for the rest of his body.

English Saddle Clip
Groomers shave the ears, feet, throat, front thighs, and tail base for the English saddle clip. Puffs are styled and formed on the lower forelegs, and a pompom is styled at the tail’s tip. Except for an arced shaved field on both flanks and shaved bands on the back legs, the hindquarters are styled with a short covering of hair. The feet are shaved fully, while the rest of the body is left in a full coat but molded to look healthy.

Sporting Clip
For the “Sporting” clip, a Poodle’s face, paws, throat, and base of the tail must be shaved, leaving a scissored cap on top of the head and a pompom on the tail’s end. The rest of the body and legs are scissored or trimmed to follow the dog’s shape, leaving a small blanket of coat no longer than one inch long. The hair on the legs may be a little longer than the hair on the rest of the body. The topknot can be molded and left free in all of the four clip models, or it can be sealed with rubber bands in any of them.

Color
Poodles come in a range of solid colors. White, black, cream, silver, grey, and blue are among them, with black noses, lips, and eye rims. Poodles with brown noses, lips, and eye rims and those with the fading brown hue known as cafe au lait have liver-colored noses, lips, and eye rims. Apricot poodles may have black or brown nose, lips, and eye rims. Though the Poodle does not shed, his curly hair necessitates a lot of brushing and maintenance. If you like your dog to look like a walking mop, expect to take him to the groomer at least two months once.

Gait
With head and tail carried up, the Poodle walks with a springy, lively, and effortless gait.

French Poodle Temperament

Poodles are among the most knowledgeable dogs, and they are quick to learn. All sizes need some exercise, but the norm takes far more than his smaller cousins. Poodles adore their owners. Although the norm is ideal for infants’ engaged families, older children can love the miniature and toy variations. Poodles get along well with other pets in most cases. They perform well in obedience, agility, and other canine sports, and they flourish as service dogs. Standards will compete in hunt training with more traditional athletic breeds.

French Poodle Exercise Needs

Any pet’s physical and mental health depends on it getting enough exercise. It can increase the pet’s quality of life and even prolong its lifespan. A proper fitness regimen necessitates more than just going on a stroll now and then. It takes the initiative to create a workout routine and stick to it daily.

An adult poodle requires at least 30 to 60 minutes of exercise a day to stay well. A simple rule of thumb for puppies is to give them 5 minutes of exercise per month of age, for a maximum of 60 minutes per day.

Since a poodle is a high-energy breed, it burns a lot of calories during the day, but it also requires more workout time to achieve maximum benefits. Exercise helps preserve healthy muscle tone and supports joint stability and injury prevention. Exercise helps to increase blood supply. Regular exercise will also help you prevent diabetes and heart disease. It also assists in the elimination of fat levels.

Another advantage of exercise for poodles is that it aids digestion and stimulates daily urination, lowering UTI risk (urinary tract infection). Exercise improves the Poodle’s overall health in addition to its physical health. Exercising makes the Poodle relax by absorbing stored energy.

A calm poodle is more well-behaved and less violent or irritable. Daily activity is the secret to garnering mental wellbeing gains. There must be a workout routine in place such that the Poodle develops the habit of exercising at the appropriate times. They’ll look forward to working out until you’ve created a routine.

The Poodle’s sleeping style can be improved with exercise. It’s not only about the amount of time you sleep but also about your sleep consistency. The Poodle can get more deep sleep due to exercise, suitable for several bodily processes.

Exercising has a social advantage. If part of the workout schedule requires interaction with other dogs, the Poodle can learn how to get along with them. Poodle owners sometimes lament about their dogs’ lack of social skills. Exercise is one solution to this problem.

Exercise Needs Overview

Energy Level	Medium to High
Intensity	Medium
Exercise Needs	Medium to High
Playfulness	High

French Poodle Grooming

The Poodle is a non-shedding breed that is ideal for allergy sufferers. Many allergic people will hold a Poodle and have no issues.

Blue, black, white, grey, silver, orange, café-au-lait, apricot, and cream are among the coat’s many colors. The hair is curly, wiry, and thick, with a distinctive texture that can be cut, clipped, groomed, shaved, and manipulated into several fanciful forms. However, if the dog will perform in the show ring, you can’t go too nuts about the styling; the American Kennel Club only allows four different clip types for Poodles in conformation competitions.

Poodle grooming is not for the weaker heart. Poodles are a breed that needs a lot of care. To keep his coat in good shape, he needs brushing every three to six weeks, if not more often. Remember the cost of grooming and the upkeep of a Poodle if you’re thinking about having one. Brushing is needed regularly for poodles. Since Poodles do not shed like most dogs, loose hair gathers in their coats and mats easily until it is washed out regularly.

Weepy eyes stain the fur under the eyes of several Poodles. The more visible the tear stains are, the brighter your dog’s coat is. Wipe around the eyes and face with an alcohol-free pet wipe or a washcloth dampened with warm water every day to reduce staining.

To avoid complications, search your Poodle’s ears weekly for dirt, redness, or a foul odor that may signify an illness, and scrub them out weekly with a cotton ball dampened with a soft, pH-balanced ear cleaner. Ear infections are common in breeds with drop-down ears because the ear canal remains dark and wet. Hair also develops in the ear canal of the Poodle. This hair has to be plucked now and again.

Brush the Poodle’s teeth at least twice to three times a week to get rid of tartar and the bugs that live inside it. Brushing your teeth regularly is much easier if you wish to avoid gum disease and foul breath.

If your dog’s nails don’t break off naturally, trim them once or twice a month. They’re too long if you can hear them tapping on the cement. Short, perfectly clipped nails hold your Poodle’s paws in excellent shape and protect your knees from being scratched as he jumps up to greet you.

Check your skin, nose, lips, and eyes, as well as your feet, for sores, rashes, or symptoms of illness such as redness, tenderness, or inflammation. There should be no signs of redness or discharge in the pupils. Your weekly examination will allow you to detect possible health issues early.

Grooming Overview

Shedding Amount	Low
Drooling Potential	Low
Easy to Groom	Low

French Poodle Health

Although they are vulnerable to some health problems, Poodles are relatively safe, as are all breeds. While not all Poodles can contract any or all of these illnesses, it’s vital to be aware of them if you’re thinking about getting one. The poodles suffer from the following diseases if not properly taken care of:

Health Overview

General Health	Low to Medium
Potential for Weight Gain	Medium to High

Addison’s Disease: This hazardous disease, also known as hypoadrenocorticism, is triggered by the adrenal gland’s inadequate adrenal hormone development. Addison’s disease causes most dogs to vomit, have a low appetite, and be drowsy. Since these symptoms are ambiguous and may be mistaken for other illnesses, it’s possible to overlook this disorder until it’s too late. When a dog is depressed or where potassium levels rise to the point that they interfere with heart activity, causing extreme shock and death, more severe symptoms appear. If your veterinarian suspects Addison’s disease, he or she can run a battery of tests to validate the diagnosis.
Gastric Dilatation – Volvulus: Bloat is a life-threatening illness that affects big, deep-chested dogs such as Poodles, especially if they are given one large meal per day, eat quickly, consume large amounts of water after eating, and exercise aggressively after eating. When the stomach is distended with gas or air, it bends, causing bloat. Since the dog can’t belch or spit to get rid of the extra fluid in its gut, the regular flow of blood to the heart is delayed. The dog’s blood pressure drops, and he goes into shock. The dog will die if medical help is not provided right away. If the dog has a distended belly, heavy salivation, and retching without throwing up, it may be bloat. He may also be agitated, depressed, sluggish, and slow, with a fast heart rate. You must take your dog to the doctor as soon as possible.
Cushing’s Disease: When the body releases too much cortisol, this disease progresses. A pituitary or adrenal gland deficiency may cause it, or it can be caused by a dog producing so much cortisol due to other factors. Excessive drinking and urination are typical symptoms. Take the Poodle to the doctor if these two signs appear. Surgical and pharmaceutical therapies are available to deal with this condition.
Epilepsy: Idiopathic epilepsy is a frequent cause of seizures in all Poodles types. It is often inherited and can occur in both moderate and extreme seizures. Unusual actions, such as running desperately as if being chased, stumbling, or hiding, may signify a seizure. Seizures are alarming to see, but dogs with idiopathic epilepsy have a very positive long-term prognosis. Seizures may be caused by various things other than idiopathic epilepsy, including metabolic conditions, respiratory diseases of the brain, cancers, toxin poisoning, extreme head trauma, and more. As a result, if your Poodle is having seizures, you can take him to the doctor as soon as possible.
Hip Dysplasia: Dysplastic hips occur where the hip joint is poorly developed or the ligaments are weak enough to cause the thigh bone (femur) ball to slip partially out of the hip socket. Canine hip dysplasia is hereditary, but environmental conditions can play a role in its progression. Degeneration of the joint occurs over time, resulting in arthritis, discomfort, and even lameness. Canine hip dysplasia may be caused by body weight, heavy or extended exercise before puberty, a rapid growth rate, and high-calorie or enriched diets. Nutritional supplements, medicine, and, in some circumstances, surgery is all part of veterinary treatment.
Hypothyroidism: An underactive thyroid gland causes hypothyroidism. Epilepsy, hair loss, obesity, lethargy, hyperpigmentation, pyoderma, and various skin disorders are caused by it.
Legg – Perthes Disease: Another condition that affects the hip joint is osteoarthritis. This is a problem that involves a lot of toy breeds. The blood flow to the head of the femur (the large rear leg bone) is diminished while the Poodle has Legg-Perthes, and the head of the femur that attaches to the pelvis starts to disintegrate. When puppies are 4 to 6 months old, the first symptoms of Legg-Perthes, limping, and leg muscle atrophy emerge. The diseased femur can be broken off and no longer attached to the pelvis but can be corrected by surgery. The scar tissue from the surgery forms a fake joint, and the puppy is usually pain-free.
Patellar Luxation: The kneecap is known as the patella. The word “luxation” refers to an anatomical part’s dislocation (as a bone at a joint). Patellar luxation occurs as the knee joint (usually in the hind leg) moves in and out of alignment, causing discomfort. While this can be painful, many dogs with this disease live relatively normal lives.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy: PRA is a category of eye disorders characterized by the retina’s irreversible weakening. Affected dogs become night-blind early in disorder. They lose sight through the day as the illness progresses. As long as the surroundings remain the same, many disabled dogs respond well to their reduced or lost vision.
Optic Nerve Hypoplasia: This disease is a congenital disability of the optic nerve’s growth. In the infected eye, it causes blindness and irregular pupil response.
Sebaceous Adenitis: In Poodles, particularly Standards, SA is a severe problem. It is believed that half of all Standard Poodles are carriers or infected by the disease. This difficult-to-diagnose hereditary disorder is often misdiagnosed as hypothyroidism, asthma, or other illnesses. When a dog has SA, the skin’s sebaceous glands get inflamed and ultimately killed for unclear causes. These glands contain sebum, a fatty secretion that protects the skin from drying out. It’s typically found when the dog is between one and five. Affected dogs usually have rough, scaly skin on top of their heads, necks, and backs, as well as hair loss. Skin thickening, an irritating odor, and secondary skin infections may occur in severely infected dogs. Although the issue is mainly aesthetic, it can distress the dog. If SA is suspicious, the veterinarian will take a skin biopsy. Treatment services are many.
Von Willebrand’s Disease: This is a hereditary blood condition that inhibits the blood’s capacity to clot. Excessive bleeding following an operation or surgery is the primary symptom. Some signs and effects include nosebleeds, bleeding gums, and intestinal or bowel bleeding. There is still no solution, and the only remedy is a blood transfusion from normal dogs. New therapies, including medication, are being researched. The majority of dogs with von Willebrand’s disease can live normal lives. Your dog should be tested for the disease by a veterinarian. This disease should not be born in dogs.

National Breed Club Recommended Health Tests for French Poodle

Hip Evaluation (Miniature and Standard)
Patella Evaluation (Miniature and Toy)
PRA Optigen DNA Test (Miniature and Toy)
Ophthalmologist Evaluation (Miniature, Standard, and Toy)

French Poodle Diet and Nutrition

A selection of foods is used in a nutritionally balanced diet for your Poodle. Fish and poultry, as well as other meats, are examples of historically essential staples. Your Poodle can even consume some greens, good fats and oils, carbohydrates like starchy vegetables, fruits, and even grains like rice or oatmeal in addition to the protein. Creating the correct food ratios would encourage your Poodle to live to his total capacity.

In general, a balanced dog’s dietary profile should consist of roughly 50% to 60% protein, 20% carbohydrates, and 20% fats.

Complex carbs, vitamins, and fiber can be found in vegetables, fruits, and starches like brown rice, potatoes, and oatmeal. Wheat gluten and corn are typical allergens, so avoid them. Grapes, tomatoes, macadamia nuts, and avocados are poisonous to dogs. Fried carrots are more accessible for dogs to eat. Carbs make up roughly a quarter of your Toy’s diet, so 3 ounces of potatoes, 2 ounces of rice, or 1.5 ounces of oatmeal have approximately 60 calories per day, based on a daily calorie requirement of 250.

Animal protein should account for at least half of your Poodle’s diet, if not more. You can offer poultry, fish, lamb, and eggs. A 6-pound poodle needs about 250 calories per day, with animal protein accounting for at least 150 calories. Three ounces of turkey breast, six ounces of chicken breast, and three ounces of salmon have about 150 calories, with the bulk protein.

Fats are essential in the diet since they include fat-soluble vitamins and essential fatty acids. Certain fats are beneficial as they combat inflammation, enhance immunity, and increase brain and skin function. Your toy poodle’s diet should include certain fats, and you should supplement with healthy oils like wild salmon oil, flax oil, coconut oil, and safflower oil. In general, strive for a 15 percent fat diet, which includes these beneficial oils.

French Poodle Required Living Conditions

Poodles are well adapted to apartment living. They are also perfect for the new owners. They can tolerate cold weather but are much more adapted to hot weather. They cannot handle being alone and are very sensitive.

Did You Know?

Poodles are well-known for their intelligence and exceptional learning ability
Poodles possess incredible swimming abilities
The Poodle’s coat is adapted to water and will cord if it is left to grow naturally.