Pet Poodle Facts

Poodles make great pets, and are one of the smartest dog breeds that are kept as pets. Poodles are one of the most interesting breeds, due to their colorful history and the fact that there are three different sizes. Below are some poodle facts that might help you decide if this breed is for you:

The 3 sizes of poodles identified by the American Kennel Club are - the Standard Poodle, the Miniature Poodle and the Toy Poodle. The biggest among the breed is the Standard Poodle that stands over 15 inches at the top of theshoulders. Miniature Poodle is the middle size and stands 10 inches at the top of the shoulders. Toy Poodles are the smallest and stands under 10 inches and usually weighs around 6 to 8 pounds.

But there are even smaller than Toy Poodles, the Tiny Toy and Teacup Poodles. These two varieties are becoming popular pets although their size variation is not recognized by the AKC. The Tiny Toy only weighs about 4 to 6 pounds while the Teacup is the lightest that only weighs 2 to 4 pounds.

One Poodle fact that many are not aware of is that they are hypoallergenic and do not usually shed their furs, thus they make the best pets for people with allergies. Aside from that, poodles do not have that doggy odor, so they are very huggable.

Carvings of a breed of dog that resembles a poodle, which are one of the oldest known breeds of dogs, are found on Roman and Greek coins. Poodles became an AKC recognized breed in 1890, and became the most popular breed of dog in the United States by the 1960s.

Poodles were popular since the 1500's in Russia, France and Germany. The name poodle can be traced back to the German Pudel which is short for Pudel that means "splashing dog". This breed was very useful in Germany because they were used for hunting and are great water retrievers. They are so popular in France so much so that they are its national dog. Among the 3 recognized poodle sizes, the standard poodle is the oldest.

Poodles can have a variety of hair types. It can be coarse and wiry to soft and wavy. There are also a variety of hair cuts that a Poodle can be be given. I am sure you are familiar with the classic show clip, but there is also the pet clip, the puppy clip, the English saddle clip, and the continental clip. Some poodles also have their coat corded.

Poodles are very intelligent dogs. They are a versatile breed that can be trained easily to many activities such as hunting, as well as being easy to house break. Poodles love people and are a very active breed that needs lots of stimulation and exercise.

Poodles can live a long time if they are healthy and live well. Different breeds have different lifespans. For example, the Toy Poodle can live up to 17 years of age while you can expect up to 14 years with a Miniature Poodle. According to most Poodle facts, the largest breed of Poodle, the Standard, has a life expectancy of approximately 11 and a half years.