The Miniature Poodle is one of the different sizes of Poodles that exist, being the second smallest and derived from the original Poodle, the Standard or Giant Poodle. It is an age-old breed that comes from France and was used to hunt aquatic animals and to defend territory and livestock. They were very popular with roy alty and the upper class from the 16th to the 19th century, when they began to spread to other places as new sizes came into being.
Miniature Poodles are dogs with an exceptional character, very affectionate, happy and intelligent, who love to play and love the company of their guardians. Education is easy, because they are very alert and very intelligent. Although they are very resistant, strong and he althy, they are predisposed to certain eye and dermatological problems that can be solved with specific treatment.
Read on to learn more about the Poodle or Miniature Poodle, its origin, characteristics, character, care, upbringing and where to adopt one!
Origin
- Europe
- France
FCI Nomenclature
- Group IX
Physical Characteristics
- End
- Muscular
- Proportional
- Short ears
Size
- Little
Height
- 15-35
Life expectancy
- 12-14
Recommended physical activity
- Average
Character
- Balanced
- Shy
- Society
- Very loyal
- Smart
- Active
- Affectionate
- Docile
Ideal for
- Children
- Apartment
- House
- Walking
- The hunt
- Shepherd
- The guard
Hair type
- Medium
- Curly
- End
Origin of the Toy Poodle
The poodle comes from the barbet dog, originally from France. These dogs were used as herdsmen and for hunting, especially for hunting aquatic animals such as swans or ducks. Throughout its history, the poodle has also been used as a circus dog.
From the 16th century, the rise and creation of the poodle dog really began after crossings with spaniels or M altese, two breeds that captivated the court of France for many years thanks to their great beauty and intelligence. The interest in these dogs was such that they were even represented in works of art by Albrecht Dürer or Goya.
The breed spread in the 19th century during the Franco-Prussian War.Stylists began to experiment and create the Continental and British cut styles. In recent centuries, especially in France, Germany and Russia, the smaller ones have been crossed to obtain a smaller poodle, the miniature poodle.
Toy Poodle Features
Toy Poodles are small dogs, but larger than the smallest variety of poodle, the toy. They have a height between 28 and 35 cm at the withers and a weight that must be adjusted to the height.
The main characteristics of Miniature Poodles are:
- Proportionate head, with a long, thin muzzle.
- Large almond eyes, dark in color.
- Long drooping ears.
- Sturdy legs of medium length.
- Tail raised to medium height.
The coat of Miniature Poodles is the same as other sizes. It can be in the form of tufts of polls made up of wicks that can measure up to 20 cm or curls of curly hair, fine and woolly to the touch.
Colours of the Miniature Poodle
The most common coat colors in Miniature Poodles are:
- Black
- White
- Brown and its shades
- Gray
- Fawn
Character of Miniature Poodle
The personality of the Miniature Poodle does not differ too much from that of other Poodles, they are loyal, intelligent, affectionate and lively dogs. They love the company of their tutor, who won't hesitate to follow you around the house. They are also playful, observant and cheerful dogs and very good guardians.
They love activity, so they are ideal for all families who bring them from everywhere with them. For this reason, they hate loneliness and they can be slightly wary of strangers.
Caring for a Miniature Poodle
To properly care for a Miniature Poodle, care must be taken to provide it with affection, stimulation and daily activity. They are lively and cheerful dogs that cannot sit still and calm for long periods of time. It might be a good idea to enroll him in an activity that helps keep his mind active or take him for a long walk and play with him every day.
The care of his hair cannot be neglected and it must be brushed frequently. It will be necessary to make him take a bath when he is dirty or when it is necessary to apply a shampoo to him treating a dermatological affection.
Hygiene of the ear canal and teeth is also important to prevent oral, dental and ear diseases and infections. Veterinary examinations are important for the prevention and early diagnosis of he alth problems. In the context of prevention, it is important that you follow its vaccination and deworming schedule carefully because this is what will reduce the risk of infection and the severity of infectious and parasitic diseases that can affect this species.
The diet must be adapted according to the specific characteristics of our poodle, but it must always be complete and intended for the canine species.
Miniature Poodle Education
Poodles are very obedient and intelligent dogs, so they have an innate ability to learn tricks and tricks. In addition, they like to have their minds constantly stimulated and they are not easily distracted dogs.
Education should be based on a type of conditioning called positive reinforcement, which seeks fast and effective teaching without being traumatic for the dog. In education, special attention should also be paid to good socialization during the first weeks of life and to the control and management of separation anxiety.
Toy Poodle He alth
Miniature poodles have a good life expectancy of around 16 years. It is a very strong and he althy breed but it can have a certain predisposition to the following eye and dermatological diseases:
- Glaucoma: disease characterized by an increase in pressure inside the eye due to a lack of drainage of the aqueous humor, a liquid that bathes the inside of the eye which gradually destroys the fibers of the optic nerve, which sends light signals to the brain to allow seeing.
- Entropion: Occurs when the lower eyelid is directed towards the eye, causing the skin and lower eyelashes to rub against the surface of the eye, causing irritation, discomfort, ulcers and can even cause blindness.
- Cataracts: occurs when a disorder appears in the lens.
- Otitis: The ear and ear canal characteristics of Miniature Poodles predispose them to inflammation of the ear canal, which creates a warm, moist environment that promotes microbial growth and causes symptoms such as pain, itching, head shaking, bad smell, redness and discharge.
- Sebaceous adenitis: a skin disease in which the glands that produce fat, the sebaceous glands, become inflamed and destroyed. This fat, or sebum, has antimicrobial properties and lubricates and moisturizes the skin, so reducing this secretion leads to scaling, hair loss, hyperkeratosis and follicular clogging.
Other dermatological problems they may suffer from are fungal infections such as ringworm, Malassezia or sporotrichosis, pyoderma or allergic problems.
Where to adopt a Miniature Poodle?
Toy Poodles, like the other sizes, are already widespread all over the world and it can't be too hard to get one up for adoption. If you think you can take good care of a Miniature Poodle, the adoption process should start by asking shelters near you if they have one up for adoption.
Pictures of Miniature Poodle
