Miniature Poodle

Breed Rating

Breed Details

General

The Miniature Poodle is a dog breed of Poodle that originated from Germany. The breed is often used as a water retriever. The Miniature variety may have been used for truffle hunting. The dog is one of America's favorite dogs because of their intelligence and playfulness. Even though they are small, Miniature Poodles act very dignified.

This dog is an ideal apartment dog for their small size as they don't need much exercise. They are exceptionally very easy to train as they are highly intelligent dogs and are eager to please their owners. They make wonderful watchdogs for their protective nature although they are never aggressive.

Maintenance for the Miniature Poodle will be a bit challenging for their long coats and also because of several health issues that the breed has reportedly encountered in history. Given the proper nutrition, sufficient exercise and regular visits to the vet for checkups and shots, the dog should live for about 12-15 years on the average.

Color

Coat

This dog's coat is curly or corded. Their coat is not fur but actually a coat of hair that sheds very little to none making them hypoallergenic dogs. It is thick and can easily become matted. Brushing frequently along with a good clipping will help avoid matting.

Personality

Miniature Poodles are known for their adorable look but there are other characteristics that make it just as enjoyable and should be the reason why you will choose to own the dog. They have a lot of character and plenty of cheer. As a very intelligent dog, with that comes a very good amount of training ability. The dog can sometimes be temperamental and overly sensitive that they will either try to interact or sulk when their owner is playing or spending time with someone else other than him. They enjoy being the center of attention and most especially being their master's true companion. When they are shown, they will want to entertain, have fun and making their humans happy is a great way for them to do that. You will find that when he is able to make their owners happy, they are funny and adorable to be around. The Poodle can adjust pretty well to other dogs and children. Besides the fact that they enjoy being the center of attention, they will also enjoy playing with anyone that wants to play with them. Proper socialization at an early age should be provided for this dog to help them get along well with children and other dogs. In addition, the Miniature Poodles are also protective of their property and owner. Although not necessarily aggressive dogs, they are wonderful watchdogs that they will be vocal when trying to ward off those that come near them.

Care

These dogs require a professional groomer for maintenance. This is probably the challenge when owning the dog. The Miniature Poodle needs to be given bath as often as a weekly bath. They like being clean but they need help in doing so. Their coat needs clipping every other month or more frequently as desired. Although some Miniature Poodle's coat to grow much longer, it is not often a safe choice. The hair of the coat will become tangled especially when brushing is not done often which would become a problem later on. Tangled hair is not only a problematic situation for the groomer but will sure pull at the dog's skin and will make them uncomfortable. The dog's ears also need caring. Mites and ear hair are often times found inside them and requires removal. Hair in the ears should also be removed for hygiene and comfort purposes. The most traditional hair clipping for the Poodles are used to help reduce the weight of the dog's coat. They call it the 'Poodle clip'. This allows them to swim better and provides protection for their joints and the organs from having the overwork and the cold climate. Another type of clipping is the simple lamb clip where the coat is sheered the same length throughout the dog's body. This is easier to do and much easier for the owner of the dog to maintain everyday. The dog's teeth will need to be brushed often as well. The dog does not shed or sheds very little making them suitable for families with allergy issues. In fact, the Miniature Poodle's coat is not fur but is hair which is the same as a human's hair. Thus, you need to keep them warm by giving them a jacket or a sweater during the winter season to remain warm during a walk or whenever outdoors. Miniature Poodles are generally known to be a healthy breed but they are also known to suffer several health issues. This includes cancer, tracheal collapse, bone and joint diseases, obesity, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), deafness, allergies, diabetes, Premature Gray, Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA), epilepsy, and heart valve disease.

Training

The dog is highly intelligent as they have served as being some of the best and smartest dogs available and for that they have a long history of training. For best results, training should be done with positive, rewarding training as they enjoy pleasing their humans and are more than willing to do anything to showcase the love that they have. Simply put, they are highly trainable and this has played a significant role in their lives and history of the breed. As highly trained circus dogs, they are enjoyable as well as hard working dogs. While training, they would appear like they are enjoying the challenge and are very willing to learn what you teach and what makes you happy. They love every minute spent during training and enjoy being trained by you. The Miniature Poodle, as you will find, has many wonderful talents. This includes talents on tricks, retrieval, obedience and watchdog. For a miniature dog, they are very agile as well.

Activity

These are highly active dogs who are likely to demand at least some physical attention and activity from you. They enjoy playing with either their owners or with children. They will also like to have a companion dog that is their own size and age. Owners should have a careful watch on their diet and physical activity as many of the health conditions they are predisposed to face are brought about by poor diet and insufficient exercise. The Miniature Poodles will do the exercises or activities you have given them and will truly appreciate it if you do it with them; however, they are proud enough that they will not beg for it. These dogs are great swimmers and they would enjoy exercises in a pool or a body of water. They would do great for walks too although their legs are no very capable of keeping up with a bike or a long run next to their handler. Running off leash is another part of enjoying your Poodle. Offer them a fenced area where they could enjoy running and romping around freely. Playing catch with them or chasing them will also be beneficial for these dogs. These dogs will be in good temperament when given the opportunity to play with their family and get enough exercise.