The Poodle comes in 3 varieties, the Standard, the Miniature, and the Toy.  The Standard and Miniature Poodles are both in the AKC Non-Sporting Group (kind of a catch-all for dogs who do not fit into any other AKC group).  The Toy Poodle is a member of the Toy Group.  All varieties of the poodle were accepted into the AKC in 1887.

Poodles originated in Germany as a water retriever.  The name Poodle came from the German word pudel or pudelin, which means to splash in water.  The Poodle is also the national dog of France.  The oldest of the three varieties, the Standard, is most known for water retrieval.  The Miniature may have been bred to hunt truffles, while the Toy was used in circuses.  Today, the smaller varieties are mostly companion dogs, while the Standard is still used in retrieving and also as Guide Dogs for the Blind and other service area jobs.

Most people keep their poodles trimmed short, while few use the traditional “Poodle Cut.”  Seen mostly in dog shows, the traditional poodle cut consists of closely shorn areas of the body, while other areas are kept full and fluffed.  This helps the dog’s ability to swim while protecting vital organs and keeping joints warm.

Toy Poodles can be up to 10 inches in height and weigh 6-9 pounds.  Miniature Poodles may be 10-15 inches tall and weigh 15-17 pounds.  Standard Poodles are over 15 inches tall and weigh 45-70 pounds.  All have a general life expectancy of 10-15 years, with the smaller varieties typically living a little longer than the larger variety.

The Poodle is well known for its “hypoallergenic” coat as it does not shed very much.  This started the cross-breeding with Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers, with the goal being a hypoallergenic dog with the Labrador personality.  Thus began the Labradoodle and Goldendoodle, neither of which is recognized by the AKC.  Since then, “designer breeds” have exploded in popularity.

Poodle coats require regular grooming, which often means visits to the groomer several times a year.  Poodles also typically have a lot of hair inside their ear canals, which needs pulled or plucked on a regular basis to avoid ear infections.  Other health concerns common to poodles include Addison’s Disease, hypothyroidism, and gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV or Bloat, more common to the Standard than the smaller varieties).  Tracheal collapse is common in the smaller varieties.

Poodles are very intelligent and make good pets, but they are also an active breed.  Standards need room to run or other outlets for regular exercise.  The Miniature and Toy varieties are good apartment dogs but still would need daily walks and playtime.

For more information on the Poodle, visit www.akc.org .

Suburban Animal Clinic is located in West Columbus off I-70 near I-270.  Suburban Animal Clinic serves Galloway, Hilltop, West Side, Georgesville, West Jefferson, Grove City, Grandview, Upper Arlington (including OSU Campus area), Hilliard and Dublin.