Hey Poodle, Know Your Breed

Tracy Britt, Certified Master Dog Trainer

Thinking about buying a poodle? Well first you must decide what size you want.

Poodle, Doodle, Micro-noodle?

Unlike Starbucks drinks which come in fancy word sizes like, Venti and Trenta— these intelligent dogs are bred in Standard, Toy and Miniature sizes. Call me when someone comes up with Micro-doodle because I’ll definitely want one at that point. Regardless of the size you choose you can be sure they’ll all have the same AKC standards and basic breed temperament.
Poodles first thought to be originated in France, were actually a product of Germany. Fun little fact is that the Poodle is the National dog of France. I mean, why wouldn’t it be, really. It fits.

Originally bred to be water retrievers, their jobs were to bring back duck and birds back to their masters, and a lot of waterfowl hunters still use them for retrieving, today. As a house pet though, you can expect the poodle to be an alert, elegant, energetic athlete who moves with a light, springy gait. Known as one of the most trainable breeds, they are known as “thinking dogs” who pay close attention to their owner.

So far Poodles sound perfect right? Fit for all families and situations? Not so fast. These beauties, while smart and loyal can also be super sensitive and demand a lot of attention and can suffer from loneliness and separation anxiety if left alone too much. They prefer a peaceful, tranquil household and could react poorly to a home with a lot of conflict or roughhousing. Shy around strangers, and quick to alert, you must know how to navigate this breed. Due to their protective instinct, yet sensitive nature, some poodles can get nippy and bite quite quickly given the right circumstances. Owners need to know how to handle that delicate balance to ensure their companion never feels compelled to react in such a way.

Education is paramount with adding any new fur members to your home. Know your breed. Make sure it fits and compliments your lifestyle. Your pet will be forever grateful for it.