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Poodle Miniature

General
Other Names
Dog Group Kennel Club		Utility
Breed Classification		The Miniature Poodle belongs to the Utility group and is used as a companion and seen in the show-ring.
Cost of Ownership
Average Food Cost		< £4 per week
Feeding Requirements		It is best to feed the poodle dry food as this breed is prone to tartar build up on their teeth.
		Try Royal Canin Breed Specific Dog Food
Other Expenses		Puppies will cost around £550. Whilst feeding is not expensive, it must be remembered, that this breed will need visits to a professional groomer every six weeks, thereby incurring more expense.
Average Puppy Price		£500-800
Lifespan		> 15 years A minature poodle can live between 14 and 17 years.
Average Litter Size		4 The average litter will be 4 puppies.
General Physical Description		This is a noble looking dog with a slender muzzle and long neck The coat is profuse and curly and is often styled They move with a graceful and prancing gait
Height Min Max Bitch 28cm (11") 38cm (15") Dog 28cm (11") 38cm (15") Weight Min Max Bitch 12kg (26lbs) 14kg (31lbs) Dog 12kg (26lbs) 14kg (31lbs)
Size Category		Small
Weight Height Range		The Miniature Poodle is 28 to 38 cms and weighs 12 to 14kgs.
Ailments		All poodles are prone to eye problems such as cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy. The miniatures are prone to patellar subluxation. Epilepsy is another disease that plagues all the poodle varieties.
Common Ailments		Achondroplasia, missing teeth, rod/cone degeneration, sensitivity to rabies vaccine
Susceptibility To Illness		Low
Other
History		The Miniature Poodle was developed from the Standard Poodle by people who wanted a smaller version of the larger poodle which was easier to care for and more economical to feed. This size of poodle was known to exist at least 500 years ago. They became well known in circuses due to the fact that they are easy to train, extremely intelligent and eager to please. They were so popular during the 1950’s and 1960’s that some genetic problems began to occur. This seems to have been sorted out by more selective breeding being carried out.
Intelligence		The Poodle is an extremely intelligent and eager to please dog, thus he is inordinately easy to train. Poodles are unusually sensitive to vocal intonation, probably one of the reasons they are so easy to train. Many pet owners, using gentle and consistent training methods, have seen their poodles excel in obedience trials, flyball and agility.
Show Characteristics		The Poodle standard asks for a moderately rounded skull with a slight but definite stop. The cheeks are flat and the muzzle is long and fine with slight chiseling under the eyes. The muzzle should show the strength of the retriever but still have an aristocratic outline. The teeth should be set in a scissor bite. Oval, wide set eyes must be dark and full of intelligence. The ears are set low on the skull and hang close to the head. The earflap is long, rather wide and well feathered. A proud dog with a haughty head carriage, the poodle needs a long, strong neck, with a smooth deep throat. Muscular shoulders slope back from their point of angulation at the upper foreleg. Well-sprung ribs support a deep and moderately wide chest. The back is short and slightly hollow, fitting with a short, well muscled loin area. A gaily carried tail, set high, is docked to be in proportion with the body. The forelegs are straight from the shoulder and should be parallel, with strong pasterns (ankles.) The hindquarters must be very muscular with well bent stifles and hocks well let down. Facing forward, the small feet should be oval, with well arched, close toes. The pads should be thick and hard. Both the head and tail should be held high. A distinctiv
Country Of Origin		France/Germany
Famous Examples
Records Held
Characteristics
Energy		High
Overall Exercise		40 - 60 minutes per day. This is a fairly active breed that likes to get out on walks and particularly enjoys games. It is a good idea to enroll a poodle in some sort of activity so that the mind is stimulated along with the body. Poodles can do well in obedience, agility and most dog sports.
Distress Caused if Left Alone
Personal Protection		Medium
Suitability As Guard Dog		Medium
Risk of Sheep Worrying		Medium
Tendency to Bark		High
Ease of Transportation		High
Level of Aggression		Low
Compatibility With Other Animals		High
Suitable For Children		Medium
General Character And Temperament		Getting along with the kids, the cat and the guinea pig is no problem for the poodle. Lively and affectionate, they make wonderful companion dogs, They enjoy a busy life and love to be included in all family pursuits. Miniatures adapt to life in more confined quarters as long as they get adequate exercise. They can be good guard dogs, announcing visitors but never being aggressive. Poodles are unusually sensitive to vocal intonation, probably one of the reasons they are so easy to train. Many pet owners, using gentle and consistent training methods, have seen their poodles excel in obedience trials, flyball and agility.
Grooming
Coat Length		Medium/Long
Grooming Requirement		> Once a week
Trimming
Requires Professional Groomer		True
Grooming		Poodles do not shed and are often tolerated by allergic people. Their coats do take a great deal of care though, generally requiring professional grooming, as well as regular combing and brushing at home. The poodle should be taken to a groomer about every six weeks for a clip of your choice. The poodle’s ears need frequent cleaning or they will become infected and, especially in the smaller poodles, daily teeth brushing is recommended or tartar will build up rapidly and lead to gingivitis.
Colour		They can be seen in blue, grey, silver, brown, apricot and cream.
Shedding		None
Suffers From Allergies		True
Tendency to Cause Allergies

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