Just musing....Poodles

[Puffinsaresmall]

I'm not thinking of getting a poodle but was curious about something.

When I think of poodles I think of this www.petplanet.co.uk/petplanet/breeds/Poodle_Toy.htm

But I've seen a few recently that look like this www.dogbreedhealth.com/miniature-poodle/ (which I much prefer). Is this all down to the clipping? The face shape looks different to me.

[mangomadness]

Those are two different varieties of poodle, miniature and toy. There's a third, the standard.

[Puffinsaresmall]

Does that change the face shape do you know? I just picked those pictures as the first that came up on google that were representative.

[Lizcat]

It is down to the clipping picture one has had it's face shaved picture two has a more pet clip and IMO a pretty poor clip. All poodles are fab.

[multipoodles]

Always had and loved poodles, we've kept ours clipped in a variety of styles but always clean shaven. Love the personality, they are born clowns and do read your mind. You can have them clipped any way you wish, and this latest girl although always face, feet & tailed is less well polished than previous ones mainly due to my lack of time through illness, but I'm loving her curlier look. They don't shed but do require almost daily brushing & combing which they love, and a trip to the groomer at least 4 times a years, but preferably every 6-8 weeks. We've never had hair in the house, and couldn't cope with it to be honest.

I love my poodles, and we've had every size but standards are my first love, and this latest baby has my heart broke she is such a comedian. At nearly 17 months I know it will be at least another year if not two before she is truly sensible!!

[KTk9]

Poodle is almost the perfect family dog. As a trainer/behaviourist I get asked constantly what is a good dog for a family and most times I will suggest a poodle. Doesn't always go down too well, particularly with the chaps but it is really a versatile fun dog. Bright and quick to learn too.

It doesn't have to be clipped out in a fancy style either!

Personally I prefer border collies but trained a few poodles and cockerpoos!

[Puffinsaresmall]

Do they need lots of exercise?

[multipoodles]

Our poodles have never demanded much exercise even the big girlies, they adapt to what you give them. The like to use their brains and if they are bored they will amuse themselves, but you won't like what they get up too. We had one that would stand on the pedal of the bin, really gently so we won't hear then sneak rubbish out of it. Our will walk for miles then not ask out again for a day or two or happily go with you if you ask, they never ever had demanded more than we gave them and we vary walks every day, and some day none. When I come in from shopping this girl will take a shopping bag off me and carry it (mostly intact) to the kitchen, they are so much fun.

We've done agility, obedience and showing with ours and they've loved every minute of it. Oh I've come over all giddy, think I need another one!!

[Doodlekitty]

My mam has a mini poodle and he is fab! He practically trained himself the basics (although she did take him to classes). He's bonded very tightly with her and spends most of his time sat on or around her.
He was a bit mouthy as a puppy and is a destroyer of toys but he's great with her grand kids (current youngest 6 and she loves 'teaching' him new tricks)

He's goes to the groomers about every 8 weeks and gets a puppy cut despite being 2. It's very short but not the shaved look of the trad poodle

[AgathaFusty]

Ours doesn't have any shaved areas - he's a standard poodle - and looks more like the second photo, only much bigger.

They are fantastic dogs, really intelligent and as someone else mentioned, they need to be keep relatively amused. They don't need as much exercise as other large breeds, although are quite happy to walk for miles if that's what's on offer.

[wizzler]

I have a poodle puppy, almost 4 months old.

He has had his first cut and came back looking very smart with shaved face, paws and tail. I confess I miss his curly teddy bear look ( see photo).. Doodle.. if I asked for a puppy cut , would he come back less shaved ?Is it the name of a proper cut?

( DH takes him to be clipped, so has to have very precise instructions and is clearly not capable of a sensible dicsussion re likes and dislikes when he gets there)

[AgathaFusty]

I trim ours myself now, but when we used to take him elsewhere I used to ask them to trim his coat to 3/4" all over and 1/2" over his face, never shaved. We had to try a few trimmers to get someone who listened though - might be worth finding a photo and taking that in to show them?

Hope you're enjoying your pup - they're great dogs.

[Puffinsaresmall]

Wizzler - your photos are lovely, they are just the sort of poodle I like. Its the really long thin pointy faces that Im not keen on, but from others on the thread that seems to be due to the cut given?

[wizzler]

Thanks Puffins... yes,he is a bit pointy of face now he has been clipped... but still very cute all the same

[EdlessAllenPoe]

if you want a rescue poodle this is the place for standards not a bad place to start for a recommendation of a good breeder...avoid big glossy websites - even KC accredited breeders may be puppy farmers...

miniatures

personally i wouldn't recommend bigger poodles for beginners in dog owners as they can be buggerous, and not everyone is prepared for a dog that naughty! (think food off kitchen worktops, and a dog that leaps all four paws in the air to welcome you home!)

[AgathaFusty]

Puffin - it's completely due to the cut.

The cut's origins come from the dog being a water retriever - the shaved areas were for fast/easy movement through the water and the areas left with wool/fur were the areas over the major organs to keep them warm in cold water.

It is unfortunate that it has left the dog with a bit of a 'poncy' look, because the dogs themselves are nothing of the sort. They are very tough, very sturdy dogs. They are very energetic and intelligent (hence being used in circus acts years ago), but also surprisingly easy to train due to that intelligence - as long as they are trained firmly and compassionately.

[multipoodles]

For rescue poodles don't forget Poodles in Need, all sizes.. www.poodlesinneed.com/Pages/AVAILABLEDOGS.aspx

[EdlessAllenPoe]

absolutely :) you do also get poodles from time to time in generic rescues.

[Florin]

Poodles are wonderful. So many people (especially men) have said oh no not poodles and left the house besotted by them. They can just be trimmed all over rather than the traditional style and are just normal dogs. They are clever and always the comedians of the family. They are not sissy dogs and love running through fields and completely adore the water and going in for a swim (they were originally bred to carry messages between ships). We have a large miniature and a standard. The standard are large dogs and in excitement when young could pull a grown adult man over so you can't forget their strength and size. They seem so far very good with children however will find out properly when our ds is born next month!

[wizzler]

So sad to see some of those poodles in rescue.. first one looks like my Rafa

Just to echo what others have said.. Poodles are fab!. Rafa is such great fun; he is not a girly dog at all. My DC are fairly young, (7,5) so I wanted a dog that would not bowl them over, and he is the perfect size for us. He does trail mud in from the garden, and he does chew my slippers, but on the other hand he gives me the best welcome ever when I come home from work, and after a few short weeks he is absolutely a member of our family. I can't imagine being without him

sorry.. got a bit carried away there!