Dogs

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN France.

MOST SUITED AS Family pet.

SIZE
The minimum shoulder height for the Toy Poodle is 25cm (9 1/2in) and should not be more than 28cm (11in). The shoulder height for the Miniature Poodle is 28 - 35cm (11 - 13 1/2in).

COAT
The coat consists of fine, woolly but frizzy hair. Acceptable colours are monotone white, black, apricot, brown, and grey. Poodles that form corded coats after a time are very exceptional.

CARE REQUIRED
Show dogs have to be clipped out according to the breed style. This requires considerable skill and knowledge and is best left to a profession­al specialist salon. Keeping a dog in this condition requires not only considerable time but also costs a great deal of money. The Poodle is regarded as one of the most difficult breed standard patterns to achieve if not the most difficult. The competition is usually considerable in the show ring. Poodles that are kept as pets are usually closely trimmed, leaving longer hair on the head, the ears, and the legs. The grooming requirements for these house hold pets is considerably easier than with show dogs. They do not shed hair. Check the teeth for tartar and clean the ears regularly. Poodles can be washed quite often.

CHARACTER
Toy Poodles are lively, playful dogs that are intelligent, keen to learn, but sensitive, and they bond closely with their owner and family.

TRAINING
Miniature and Toy Poodles are very intelligent dogs, which if handled properly, quickly learn what is required of them. The best results are achieved with a gentle but consistent approach.

SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
These are generally trouble free dogs in terms of getting along with other dogs, and pets. They announce visitors but that is all.

EXERCISE
Although these Poodles can happily live in a flat, they do need to get sufficient exercise.