Poodle
A light apricot Standard Poodle in a pet clip.
Other names	Pudle (Old English) Caniche
Country of origin	France and Germany
Traits

For the political insult see poodle (insult). This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. A poodle in Politics is an Insult used to describe a Politician that obediently or passively follows the lead of others

The Poodle is a breed of dog. Dog breeds are groups of closely related and visibly similar domestic Dogs with characteristic traits that are selected and maintained by humans bred from a known foundation The dog ( Canis lupus familiaris) is a domesticated Subspecies of the gray wolf, a Mammal of the Canidae family of the order Toy, miniature, and standard; poodles are distinguished by adult shoulder height. Toy dog traditionally refers to a very small Dog or a grouping of small and very small breeds of dog Poodles come in many colors including black, blue, white, red, apricot, silver, and brown. Red is any of a number of similar Colors evoked by light consisting predominantly of the longest wavelengths of Light discernible by the human eye in the wavelength They also appear in parti-color, or multi-colors. While the multi-color poodles cannot be shown in the American Kennel Club (AKC), Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) or any Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) conformation ring, they can be shown in the United Kennel Club (UKC) show ring and in all performance rings. The American Kennel Club (or AKC) is a registry of Purebred Dog pedigrees in the United States. The Canadian Kennel Club (or CKC) is the primary registry body for Purebred Dog Pedigrees in Canada. Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI ( English, World Canine Organisation) is an international Kennel Club based in Thuin, Belgium In a conformation show, judges familiar with specific Dog breeds evaluate individual Dogs for how well they conform to published Breed standards The United Kennel Club (or UKC) is the second oldest all-breed registry of Purebred Dog Pedigrees in the United States and

The FCI lists the country of origin as France, but the breed's true origin is unknown and subject to dispute. This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Some experts believe poodles may have originated in Russia or Iberia; Germany is also frequently cited, including by the AKC, because the breed's name has German origins^[1]. Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending The Iberian Peninsula, or Iberia, is located in the extreme southwest of Europe, and includes modern day Spain, Portugal, Andorra Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. However, it is commonly agreed that the French are responsible for developing the modern breed into its current three sizes: standard, miniature, and toy. Poodles are one of the oldest breeds of dog^[2] and have been popular all through Europe for several hundred years, and poodle-like dogs are found depicted on Roman sculptures. ^[3]

Poodles are retrievers, or gun dogs, and can still be seen in that role. Gun dogs or gundogs, also called bird dogs, are types of Dogs developed to assist Hunters in finding and retrieving game usually The show clips evolved from working clips, which originally provided warmth to major joints when the dogs were immersed in cold water. The rest of the body is shaved for less drag in the water. Poodles are skilled at most other dog events including agility, obedience, tracking, and even herding. Dog agility is a Dog sport in which a handler directs a Dog through an Obstacle course in a An obedience trial is a Dog sport in which a Dog must perfectly execute a predefined set of tasks when directed to do so by his handler A Tracking trial is an event to encourage Dogs to make use of their strongest facility the ability to follow a scent trail Border Collie sheepdog trialjpg|thumb|right|300px|A Border Collie at the sheepdog trials at Rural Hill Farm in Huntersville North Carolina

They are elegant in the show ring, having taken top honors in many shows. The poodle coat is dense and generally does not shed. As a result, coats in show condition require extensive care and grooming. Most pet poodle owners keep their poodles in much simpler cuts that are easier to care for and require less grooming. Poodles vary in size, so they can accommodate any household size

The name poodle comes from the German word Pudel, which is short for Pudelhund, which means "splashing dog". This reflects the breed's use as a water dog (the word Pudel is related to the English word puddle). Water dog s once called Water Spaniels, are a type of Gun dog and count among their number some of the oldest dog breeds

Characteristics

Appearance

The Miniature poodle, which is of intermediate size between Standard and Toy.

Unlike many breeds, poodles come in a variety of sizes, distinguished by shoulder height. The exact height cutoffs between the varieties vary slightly from country to country, but in the US, UK and Canada there are 3 sizes of poodle: standard, miniature, and toy.

In FCI countries there is a fourth size variety not listed in the chart. The FCI recognizes the "medium" poodle with a height over 35 cm up to 45 cm, and the standard poodle is 45 to 60 cm.

However, there is no "royal standard" or "teacup" or "tiny teacup" poodle other than for marketing purposes.

Most poodles are proportionally long-legged dogs. They have dense, curly, non-shedding hair (not fur) that grows year-round and requires regular grooming. Most are solid-colored, and many registries only allow solid colors in conformation shows. "Parti" (short for parti-colored) poodles have large patches of colors. "Phantom" poodles have the color pattern of a black-and-tan dog, although not necessarily black and tan. Solid-colored poodles may either "hold" their color (i. e. , stay more or less the same color throughout their lives) or "fade" or "clear" to a lighter shade. Usually, the ears and the thicker guard hairs hold more of the original color than other fur.

The tail is usually docked in the US, less often in Europe. Docking is the Amputation of portions of an animal's Tail or Ears While docking and bobbing are more commonly used to refer to removal of the These days, tails, when docked, are left much longer than in times past. "Bunny like tails" (very short-docked tails) are now rarely seen except among puppy millers. Puppy mills, sometimes known as puppy farms, are large-scale Dog breeding facilities that operate under substandard breeding conditions causing the development of

Coat

A cream Standard Poodle in a continental clip

Poodles have hair instead of fur causing them to be non-shedding and hypoallergenic. Texture ranges from coarse and wooly, to soft and wavy. Poodle show clips require many hours of brushing and care per week, about 10 hours/week for a standard poodle. Poodles are usually clipped down as soon as their show career is over and put into a lower-maintenance cut. Pet clips are much less elaborate than show and require much less maintenance.

Show clips

Many breed registries allow only certain clips for poodles shown in conformation. In American Kennel Club (AKC) shows, adults must be shown in the "continental" or "English saddle" clips. Dogs under 12 months old may be shown with a "puppy clip". A handful of registries, such as the United Kennel Club, allow simpler clips.

Puppy clip

In the puppy clip, the face, throat, belly, and base of the tail and feet are shaved. The coat may be shaped with scissors for neatness. Although this clip appears simpler than the other clips, the length of the hair makes it as difficult (maybe more so) to maintain as the adult clips.

Continental clip

In the continental clip the face, throat, feet and part of the tail are shaved. The upper half of the front legs is shaved, leaving "pompoms" around the ankles. The hindquarters are shaved except for pompoms on the lower leg (from the hock to the base of the foot) and optional round areas (sometimes called "rosettes") over the hips. The hock, or gambrel, is the Tarsal joint of a Digitigrade Quadruped, such as a Horse, Cat, or Dog. The continental clip is the most popular show clip today.

English Saddle clip

A corded Standard Poodle

The English saddle clip is similar to the continental, except for the hindquarters. The hindquarters are not shaved except a small curved area on each flank (just behind the body), the feet, and bands just below the stifle (knee) and above the hock, leaving three pompoms. This clip is now rarely seen in Standard Poodles.

Pet clips

Pet clips can be as simple or elaborate as the owner wants. The hair under the tail should always be kept short to keep feces from getting matted in the fur. Most owners also keep the feet and face clipped short to keep dirt from matting between toes and food from matting around the dog's muzzle. Beyond the sanitary requirements, the desired clip depends on the owner's preference. Some owners maintain a longer clip in winter than summer, which they brush often to remove tangles and prevent matting. When mats occur, owners cut or shave off the matted areas, attempt to achieve symmetry in overall appearance, and wait for the fur to grow back.

Corded coat

In most cases, whether a poodle is in a pet or show clip, fur is completely brushed out. Poodle fur can also be "corded" with rope-like mats similar to those of a Komondor. The Komondor (lat Canis familiaris pastorialis villosus hungaricus is a Livestock guardian dog breed originally Though once as common as the curly poodle, corded poodles are now very rare. Corded coats are difficult to keep clean and take a long time to dry after a bath. Any poodle with a normal coat can be corded when their adult coat is in. Corded poodles may be shown in AKC, FCI, CKC and UKC shows. ^[1][4][5][6]

Temperament

Poodles are intelligent, alert, and active. Historically, their aptitude has made them ideal for performing in circuses across the globe for centuries. Otherwise notable is this breed's keen sense for instinctual behavior. In particular, marking and hunting drives are more readily observable than in most other breeds. Territorial marking is Behavior used by Animals to identify their territory. Even Toys will point birds. Classified as highly energetic, poodles can also get bored fairly easily and have been known to get creative about finding mischief.

Poodles are extremely people-oriented dogs and, therefore, are eager to please. They are excellent watchdogs, but unlike some working breeds, don't usually become "one-person" dogs when they are part of a family. Standard Poodles in particular tend to be good with children. Poodles are adaptable and easy to train. Like most dogs, they appreciate daily exercise, such as a walk or a play session. Most are fairly agile and athletic.

Toy Poodles are also entertaining little animals. They will play ball and love to fetch. Play time is very important, but you must be sure that they get plenty of rest following long play periods and fresh water available at all times.

Potty training can be difficult in many dogs, but the poodle is one of the easiest to train. Whether going outside or being trained on a pad, they learn very quickly where to relieve themselves. However, they are animals that need time to understand what you want from them. It may take a while, but poodles are very smart and learn quicker than most dogs.

Health

With proper care and nutrition, many enjoy life well into their teens. This Toy Poodle just turned 16, and with arthritis medication still has a very active life. Arthritis (from Greek arthro-, joint + -itis, inflammation plural arthritides is a group of conditions involving damage to the Joints of the body

The most common serious health issues of standard poodles (listed in order of the number of reported cases in the Poodle Health Registry (as of August 20, 2007) are Addison's disease, gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV = bloat/torsion), thyroid issues (hyperthyroid and hypothyroid), tracheal collapse, epilepsy, sebaceous adenitis, juvenile renal disease, hip dysplasia, and cancer. Addison's disease (also known as chronic Adrenal insufficiency, '''hypocortisolism''' or '''hypocorticism) is a rare Endocrine disorder Bloat is a medical condition in which the Stomach becomes overstretched by excessive Gas content The thyroid is one of the largest Endocrine glands in the body Tracheal collapse is a condition characterized by incomplete formation or weakening of the Cartilagenous rings of the trachea resulting in flattening of the trachea Adenitis is a general term for an Inflammation of a gland or Lymph node. Standard poodles are also susceptible to some health issues usually too minor to report to the poodle health registry. The most common of these minor issues are probably ear infections. Ear infections are a problem in all poodle varieties. Ear problems can be minimized by proper ear care. A veterinarian should be consulted if the dog shows signs of an ear infection, lest a minor issue turn into a major issue. A veterinarian ( American English) or a Veterinary surgeon ( British English) often shortened to vet, is a Physician

Addison's Disease

Addison's disease is (as of August 20, 2007) the illness most commonly reported to the Poodle Health Registry. Addison's disease (also known as chronic Adrenal insufficiency, '''hypocortisolism''' or '''hypocorticism) is a rare Endocrine disorder The number of reported cases of Addison's disease is nearly twice as high as the next most common problem (GDV). Addison's disease is characterized by insufficient production of glucocorticoid and/or mineralocortoid in the adrenal cortex. Addison's is often undiagnosed because early symptoms are vague and easily mistaken for other conditions. Standard poodles with unexplained lethargy, frequent gastric disturbances, or an inability to tolerate stress should be tested for Addison's. Addison's can cause fatal sodium/potassium imbalances, but, if caught early and treated with lifelong medication, most dogs can live a relatively normal life.

Gastric dilatation volvulus

Standard poodle owners should take special note of the high incidence of GDV (Gastric dilatation volvulus) in this breed. Bloat is a medical condition in which the Stomach becomes overstretched by excessive Gas content Excess gas trapped in the dog's stomach causes "bloat. " Twisting of the stomach (volvulus or "torsion") causes or is caused by excess gas. Symptoms include restlessness, inability to get comfortable, pacing, or retching without being able to bring up anything. The dog's abdomen may be visibly swollen but dogs can bloat or torsion without visible swelling. GDV is a dire emergency condition. If you suspect a dog is bloating, you should not wait to see if he improves. A dog with GDV requires immediate veterinary care. The dog's survival usually depends on whether the owner can get him to the vet in time. It is a good idea for a standard poodle owner to know the route to the nearest 24-hour emergency clinic, so time is not wasted looking for directions.

Longevity and causes of death

Standard Poodles in UK, Denmark and USA/Canada surveys had a median lifespan of 11. 5 to 12 years. ^[7] In a UK survey, the most common causes of death were cancer (30%), old age (18%), GDV (bloat/torsion, 6%), and cardiac disease (5%). ^[8]

Miniature and Toy Poodles in UK surveys had median lifespans of 14 to 14. 5 years. ^[7] In Miniature Poodles, the leading cause of death was old age (39%). ^[8] In Toy Poodles, the leading causes of death were old age (25%) and kidney failure (20%). ^[8]

Some toy poodles can live up to 17 years or even longer if it has a healthy life and is not over weight.

Common illnesses

• Addison's disease (hypoadrenocorticism)^[9]
• Cataracts^[9][10]
• Congenital heart disease
• Chronic active hepatitis^[9]
• Cushing's syndrome (hyperadrenocorticism)^[10][9]
• Distichiasis
• Entropion
• Epilepsy^[11]
• Glaucoma^[10]
• Intervertebral disc degeneration
• Lacrimal duct atresia
• Legg-Calvé-Perthes syndrome
• Progressive retinal atrophy
• Patellar luxation (Toy and Miniature)^[10]
• Trichiasis
• Urolithiasis. Addison's disease (also known as chronic Adrenal insufficiency, '''hypocortisolism''' or '''hypocorticism) is a rare Endocrine disorder A cataract is a clouding that develops in the crystalline lens of the Eye or in its envelope varying in degree from slight to complete opacity A congenital heart defect (CHD is a defect in the structure of the Heart and Great vessels of a Newborn. Hepatitis (plural hepatitides) implies injury to the Liver characterized by the presence of Inflammatory cells in the tissue of A distichia is an Eyelash that arises from an abnormal spot on the Eyelid of a dog Entropion is a Medical condition in which the Eyelids fold inward Epilepsy can occur in animals other than humans (see main article Epilepsy) Glaucoma is a group of diseases of the Optic nerve involving loss of retinal ganglion cells in a characteristic pattern of optic neuropathy. Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA is a group of genetic diseases seen in certain breeds of Dogs and more rarely cats Luxating patella (or trick knee, subluxation of patella, or floating patella) is a condition in which the Patella, or kneecap dislocates or Trichiasis is a medical term for ingrown Eyelashes This can be caused by Infection, Inflammation, Autoimmune conditions and trauma Bladder stones or uroliths are a common occurrence in animals especially in domestic animals such as Dogs and Cats The stones form in the Urinary
• Hip dysplasia (Standard)^[11]
• Hypothyroidism^[11]
• Gastric torsion
• Mitral Valve Disease^[12]
• Osteosarcoma
• Patent ductus arteriosus
• Sebaceous adenitis
• gastric dilatation-volvulus
• Von Willebrand's disease

Poodle hybrids

Main article: Poodle hybrid

Hybrid poodle mixes include the Labrador ("Labradoodle"), golden retrievers ("goldendoodles") or the smaller mixes such as Cockapoos or Maltipoos. Hypothyroidism is the disease state in humans and animals caused by insufficient production of Thyroid hormone by the Thyroid gland. Bloat is a medical condition in which the Stomach becomes overstretched by excessive Gas content Osteosarcoma is the most common type of malignant Bone cancer, accounting for 35% of primary bone malignancies Patent ductus arteriosus ( PDA) is a Congenital Heart defect wherein a child's Ductus arteriosus fails to close after birth. Von Willebrand disease (vWD is the most common hereditary Coagulation abnormality described in humans although it can also be acquired as a result of other medical conditions A Poodle hybrid is a cross between a Poodle and another Dog breed, and is a mixed breed or crossbreed

Though a desirable cross-breeding goal, a hybrid between a shedding breed and a poodle (which doesn't shed),does not reliably produce a non-shedding dog; most of the offspring will shed. Because they often do not shed as much as the shedding parent they will usually require regular grooming and haircuts.

Poodle crosses are considered mixed breed dogs by all mainstream dog registries, such as the American Kennel Club (AKC), and are not eligible for registration, even if both parents are registered.

Famous poodles

Charley, with John Steinbeck

• Aero, Mao Asada's pet
• Algonquin from Elvira, Mistress of the Dark
• Atma and Butz, Schopenhauer's pets. Personal life Mao Asada was born in Nagoya Aichi, Japan. She attended Nagoya International Cassandra Peterson (born September 17, 1951) is an American actress best known for her on-screen Horror host Persona
• Basket, Basket II, and Basket III, successive pets of Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas
• Bela, "Weird Al" Yankovic's poodle who sat on his head for the Cover of his 2003 album Poodle Hat
• Boy, pet of Prince Rupert of the Rhine (1619-1682) and killed at the Battle of Marston Moor. Gertrude Stein ( February 3, 1874 &ndash July 27, 1946) was an American Writer who spent most of her life in France Alice B Toklas ( April 30, 1877 – March 7, 1967) was the life partner of writer Gertrude Stein. Alfred Matthew "Weird Al" Yankovic (ˈjæŋkəvɪk born October 23 1959 is a Grammy Award winning American singer Musician, actor satirist Poodle Hat is the eleventh Album by "Weird Al" Yankovic. Rupert Count Palatine of the Rhine Duke of Bavaria (German Ruprecht Pfalzgraf bei Rhein Herzog von Bayern) commonly called Prince Rupert of the Rhine, (17 The Battle of Marston Moor was fought on July 2 1644 during the First English Civil War of 1642&ndash1646 ^[13]
• Charley, pet of Nobel Prize author John Steinbeck, a black (referred to as "blue" in the book) Standard Poodle played Charley in the TV miniseries "Travels with Charley: In Search of America", based on Steinbeck's 1961 book of the same name. John Steinbeck III (February 27 1902—December 20 1968 was one of the best-known and most widely read American writers of the 20th century Travels with Charley In Search of America is a travelogue by American author John Steinbeck.
• Cleo, from Clifford the Big Red Dog
• Derek, pet of Patrick Swayze ^[14][15]
• Diswilliam and others, pets of Mary Tyler Moore ^[16][17]
• Dusty Springfield, Joss Stone's pet
• Georgette from Disney's "Oliver and Company. Clifford The Big Red Dog is an enduring American Children's book series first published in 1962 Patrick Wayne Swayze (born August 18, 1952) is a three- time Golden Globe nominated American Dancer, Actor, and Mary Tyler Moore (born December 29, 1936) is an Academy Award -nominated and seven-time Emmy Award -winning American actress Joss Stone (born Jocelyn Eve Stoker on 11 April 1987 is an English soul and R&B Singer-songwriter and actress. Oliver & Company is a 1988 Animated feature Film in which a homeless kitten named Oliver joins a gang of dogs to survive on the 1980s New "
• Gigi and Cash, pets of Christian Serratos
• Josephine, prized pet of author Jacqueline Susann; inspiration for her 1963 novel, "Every Night, Josephine". Christian Serratos (born September 21, 1990 in Pasadena California) is an American actress Jacqueline Susann ( August 20, 1918, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania &ndash September 21, 1974, New York City
• Mephistopheles, incarnated in a poodle as described by Goethe in Faust. ˈjoːhan ˈvɔlfgaŋ fɔn ˈgøːtə (in English generally ˈgɝːtə 28 August 1749 22 March 1832 was a German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe 's Faust is a tragic play. It was published in two parts de Faust der Tragödie erster Teil (translated
• Roly, poodle who featured in BBC's EastEnders for 8 years. Roly was a fictional Dog in the BBC Soap opera EastEnders. Roly was an apricot coloured Standard Poodle EastEnders is a most popular and award-winning Television Soap opera, first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC1 on 19 February 1985
• Rufus, pet of Winston Churchill ^[18]
• Teddy, famous dog of radio talk show host Michael Savage (commentator)Pictures of Teddy
• Wellington, famous dog from The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, by Mark Haddon
• Yankee Poodle from Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew

References

1. ^ ^{a b} http://www.akc.org/breeds/poodle/history.cfm AKC: Poodle history. Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, KG, OM, CH, TD, FRS, PC, PC (Can ( 30 November 1874 Michael Alan Weiner (born March 31 1942 in New York City) better known by his The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time is a 2003 Novel by British writer Mark Haddon. Yankee Poodle (real name Rova Barkitt) is a Fictional character in the DC Comics universe, an anthropomorphic Poodle Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew! is a DC Comics Comic book about a team of Funny animal Superheroes called the Zoo Crew Retrieved March 22, 2008
2. ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/bluepeter/content/articles/2005/12/01/poodles_feature.shtml BBC: Poodle factsheet. Retrieved March 22, 2008
3. ^
4. ^ http://www.dogdomain.com/fcistandards/fci-172.htm Fédération Cynologique Internationale: Poodle Breed Standard. Retrieved May 12, 2007
5. ^ http://www.ckc.ca/en/Default.aspx?tabid=99&BreedCode=POS Canadian Kennel Club: Standard Poodle Breed Standard. Retrieved May 12, 2007
6. ^ http://mail.ukcdogs.com/UKCweb.nsf/80de88211ee3f2dc8525703f004ccb1e/77cc12b9230c0541852570490044c05a?OpenDocument United Kennel Club: Standard Poodle Breed Standard. Retrieved May 12, 2007
7. ^ ^{a b} http://users.pullman.com/lostriver/breeddata.htm Dog Longevity Web Site. Compiled by K. M. Cassidy. Retrieved June 28, 2007
8. ^ ^{a b c} http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/570 Kennel Club/British Small Animal Veterinary Association Scientific Committee. 2004. Purebred Dog Health Survey. Retrieved June 28, 2007
9. ^ ^{a b c d} http://www.poodleclubofamerica.org/health.htm Poodle Club of America: Health Issues in Poodles. Retrieved May 5, 2007
10. ^ ^{a b c d} http://www.upei.ca/cidd/breeds/poodle2.htm Canine Inherited Disorders Database: Poodle. Retrieved May 5, 2007
11. ^ ^{a b c} http://www.canadasguidetodogs.com/poodlestd.htm#health Standard Poodle, Canada's Guide to Dogs, Retrieved May 5, 2007
12. ^ Poodle Health Problems
13. ^ http://www.poodlehistory.org/PARMY.HTM Poodle History Project: Military Dogs. Retrieved May 12, 2007
14. ^ http://www.dogs4sale.com.au/Which_Dog_with_who.htm#p
15. ^ http://www.poodlehistory.org/PCOMPAN.HTM
16. ^ http://www.dogs4sale.com.au/Which_Dog_with_who.htm#p
17. ^ http://www.poodlehistory.org/PCOMPAN.HTM
18. ^ [1] retrieved July 31, 2005

External links

General information about poodles

• UK Free Poodle Information and Advice
• Poodle Club of America
• Poodle Club of Canada
• Poodle Club of Las Vegas
• Poodle History.org
• Poodle Health Registry
• Useful Info For Poodle Owners
• The Corded Poodle
• Poodle breed standard at the official American Kennel Club website

Health information

• Poodle Health Registry
• Poodle Club of America

Poodle pedigree databases (most complete for standard poodles)

• Poodle Health Registry
• Poodle Pedigree.com

To register a poodle health problem

• Poodle Health Registry