Dogs

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN France.

MOST SUITED AS Historically a hunting dog, now more common as a family pet.

SIZE                                                                              
The shoulder-height is 45 - 58cm (17 1/2 - 22 1/2 in).       

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
These are high spirited and highly intelligent dogs that are sportive, companionable, loyal, pliable, active, careful, curious, and vigilant, and they are also eager to learn.

TRAINING
Giant Poodles are high spirited and highly intelligent, sportive, companionable, loyal, pliable, active, careful, curious, and vigilant, and they are also eager to learn.

SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
These are sociable animals by nature and they get on well with dogs and other pets. The company of children will be equally trouble free. They are usually vigilant but not unfriendly towards strangers.

EXERCISE
These dogs need fairly substantial levels of exercise. Play ball with them in the garden or take them for a long walk to keep them fit. They usually do well at activities such as fly ball, activity skill trials, and obedience. They are most intelligent, one of the smartest breeds in the world.