Poodle Tips and Care

He has captivated you with his gaze and there is no turning back. Your new poodle dog is a ball of fur that requires all your attention. The poodle needs specific care to grow strong and healthy. Read the following practical tips carefully and good luck with your new life companion.

A bit of its history...

The poodle dog is one of the oldest known breeds; its origins date back to medieval Germany (hence the name "pudle," meaning puddle in German). It is a descendant of the French Barbet, a water dog highly valued for retrieving ducks and geese from the water.

They became popular in France in the 15th century, where they were common companions for kings and aristocrats. In Spain, they became essential for the upper classes in the 17th century; in fact, a white poodle dog appears in Goya's portrait of the Duchess of Alba.

What varieties of poodle dogs are there?

Poodle types according to their size:

- Giant Poodle Dog: can weigh around 22 kg

- Standard Poodle Dog: Usually the common size, about 12 kg

- Miniature Poodle Dog: its adult weight is between 4 and 7 kilos

- Toy Poodle Dog: between 2 and 4 kg

Poodle types according to their aesthetics:

With curly, abundant, fine, and woolly textured fur. Four color varieties are distinguished: white, black, cinnamon, and brown; some may even have a bicolor mix.

Why choose a poodle dog?

The toy poodle's behavior is calm; it has a cheerful and loyal character and is very obedient. In fact, it is considered the second-best dog in the world for training. It is excellent as a companion dog for families with children and elderly people. It is not an aggressive animal, nor does it have destructive behaviors; it is not capable of attacking humans or other animals.

At the same time, it is very protective of its territory, so it tends to bark when left alone at home or in the presence of strangers. Being of a nervous nature, it is advisable that its environment be calm so that it is not always tense and anxious.

As for life expectancy, the average is about 10-15 years, but we know of cases where the dog lived up to 26 years, a mini poodle from South Carolina, named "Uncle Chichi," died of cancer.

What care does a poodle dog need? Frequent health problems in poodle dogs

• Hair: The poodle dog does not shed excessively, but you do need to brush it frequently to prevent knots from forming. Regular brushing and grooming are recommended.

• Eyes: cataracts or retinal atrophy often appear, you will have to take your dog to the vet to check that everything is correct. In addition, like other breeds, it can suffer from hair oxidation around the eyes, we recommend that you keep the hair in that area very short, you will prevent it from happening.

• Skin: It has quite sensitive skin, try to use organic cosmetics so that it does not develop atopic dermatitis.

• Ears: Be careful when bathing it; try not to get its head wet and keep its ears clean and dry. To prevent water from entering, protect its ear canals with cotton balls; this will help avoid a possible problem of otitis, to which these dogs are quite prone.

• Teeth: Toy poodles are prone to developing tartar on their teeth. Frequent good brushing will prevent future problems, and if you get them used to it when they are young, it won't be difficult to do. There are cleaning rawhide sticks and specific dog toothpaste available on the market.

• Bones: Another common problem for poodles is elbow luxation or hip dysplasia. Maintain regular check-ups to avoid these disorders, which can be genetic.

• Veterinary check-ups: Poodles have characteristic breed diseases such as gastric torsion, cataracts, and skin conditions, so make sure to take them to the vet regularly.

• Training: Poodles are very smart and have a great capacity for learning. We recommend training them from a young age so they recognize commands, learn to stay home alone, recognize places and areas in their home to feel comfortable, and avoid unwanted behaviors.

Accessories for poodle dog care

However, all of this should not overly concern us or lead us to abandon the idea of owning a poodle. They are generally healthy and resilient dogs and should not have problems if properly cared for and educated.

A good quality bed: when your poodle dog arrives home, it will be very stressed by the situation. A new house, a new family, everything will feel strange. Make sure it has a comfortable bed where it feels at ease and can take refuge when it feels insecure. Additionally, dogs usually sleep an average of 14 hours a day, so it's best for them to be comfortable. Why not a fun teepee?

Collars and leashes appropriate for its weight: from a very young age, you must teach your poodle dog to walk with a leash and a collar or harness. It's better to teach it from a young age with a collar, as this will prevent it from pulling. Walk time for a puppy is very important for its learning, as it is the bond that most unites it to you, and it will discover smells and places that will help it recognize its home, which will be useful if it ever escapes or gets lost. Check out our blog: "What to do if my dog gets lost"

Toys: Dog toys will help in the development of their teeth, and, as with children, they will relieve them when they are growing. Make sure they always have plenty of toys on hand so they don't chew on other things like your furniture or your slippers.

Clothes: A hairless miniature poodle, or one freshly groomed at the salon, will need an extra coat on colder days. You can find a wide range of specific fashion for poodles, from sweaters to classic cut coats.

These are some of the tips we offer you from tQel to care for your poodle dog; however, if any problem arises, we recommend taking it to the vet.

 

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