When talking about the poodle, few people know that there are four different types of poodles according to their size. From the smallest to the largest, we find the Toy Poodle, the Dwarf or Miniature Poodle, the Medium Poodle and the Large Poodle or Royal Poodle. It is the latter that is the subject of this article and from which the others have arisen. The Great Poodle or Royal Poodle is a majestic, elegant and fine dog that for centuries has accompanied people of high social class, nobles and aristocrats. This is a dog originating from France which descends from the barbet dog.
Continue reading this PlanèteAnimal file to find out all the characteristics of the Standard Poodle or Royal Poodle, a dog that adapts to any home, but needs a good dose of daily walks or exercise. It is one of the best breeds in terms of education and it stands out for its great intelligence. It has a fairly long lifespan, but some common breed he alth issues need to be considered to be prevented.
Origin
- Europe
- France
FCI Nomenclature
- Group IX
Physical Characteristics
- Proportional
- Short ears
Size
- Large
Height
- 55-70
Adult Weight
- 10-25
Life expectancy
- 12-14
Recommended physical activity
- Average
Character
- Balanced
- Society
- Very loyal
- Smart
- Active
- Affectionate
- Docile
Ideal for
- Children
- Apartment
- House
- Elderly people
Recommended climate
- Temperate
Hair type
- Long
- Curly
- End
Origin of the Great Poodle
" The poodle, also called poodle, is a breed originating from the barbet, a water dog originating from France. The word poodle is thought to come from pudel, a German word meaning one who plays in water, while the term Poodle comes from canichons, which refers to duckling or little duck and is a word used to call smaller ones barbet dogs."
The Standard Poodle was originally used for hunting ducks or swans, but throughout its history it had different functions and was also used as a circus dog until he became the popular companion dog he is today. So from the 16th century it began to flourish for its beauty and intelligence and even featured in works of art by Goya and Albrecht Dürer, and by the time of Louis XVI it was common in the court of France.During the Franco-Prussian War, between 1870 and 1871, the breed began to spread, but it was mainly intended for millionaires and aristocrats. From the 19th century, designers began to create the British and Continental cuts. Unfortunately, for newborns, the custom of tail docking began, a practice that is now banned as cruel and unnecessary.
The Standard Poodle is the original breed that gave rise to the Medium Poodle, Miniature Poodle and Toy Poodle.
Characteristics of the Standard Poodle
The large poodle is a large dog that weighs between 16 and 22 kg and measures between 45 and 60 cm at the withers. Males are significantly larger than females, resulting in marked sexual dimorphism. This dog is well proportioned, elegant and harmonious.
The Poodle's limbs are long and sturdy, its head is thin and elongated, its muzzle is long, thin and straight.His ears are very long and drooping, they reach the cheeks and are close to the head. Her dark almond-shaped eyes give a tender gaze. His tail is high and up.
The most distinctive feature of the large poodle is undoubtedly its coat. The coat is always profuse and woolly, and can be curly and full of curls, thick and fine to the touch, or laid out in 20 cm cords, dense and harder to the touch.
Royal Poodle colors
The coat color of the Poodle is always uniform, that is, of a single shade, without spots or patterns such as mottling. The most common colors are black and white, but this breed accepts many other colors including gray, cream, apricot, and brown.
Character of the Great Poodle or Royal Poodle
The Standard Poodle is characterized primarily by its love, loy alty, intelligence and playfulness.He has a characteristic majestic halo that affects both his physical appearance and his behavior. Very loyal, he is very protective of his home and his family, not hesitating to alert by barking in case of danger or to attack if necessary.
He is an energetic and mischievous dog, especially when he is small. They are a breed that is always ready to play, loves to be around people, and is friendly and personable. It should be noted that the Standard Poodle is much calmer and quieter than smaller Poodles, especially Toy Poodles, which tend to be quite nervous. However, this is still a breed that requires more attention than others due to its more dependent nature.
Caring for a Standard Poodle
The most important care for this breed is the maintenance of its coat. Although the Poodle's coat does not shed, it should be washed monthly and brushed frequently.To get the characteristic style of poodles, with a mane on the head, ears, neck and paws, it is recommended to take them to a professional groomer, because at home you could hurt them unintentionally.
Large Poodles adapt well to any type of home and family. They are very energetic dogs, so they need frequent exercise and good daily walks. In addition, they are dogs that do not support loneliness well if they have not been properly educated to manage this type of situation. Finally, as with any other breed, the care of the Standard Poodle also includes regular cleaning of their eyes and especially their long ears to avoid infections.
With the right diet, exercise, care and regular visits to the vet, the poodle can live a very long time and has a life expectancy of up to 18 years.
Training the Great Poodle
The Royal Poodle puppy tends to be particularly mischievous and must be educated so that it learns not to cause too much trouble for you. Of course, even if it is a fairly sociable dog, it is important to socialize it well so that it knows how to behave with other animals, people and environments and, above all, that it can stay home alone with no problem. Although it is possible to leave this dog alone at home, we remind you that it is not advisable not to leave this breed or any other dog alone for too long hours.
Raising the Great Poodle is simple as it is considered one of the smartest dogs in the world. He therefore learns quickly and is hardly distracted during educational sessions. It is also a breed prone to learning as it needs to stimulate its mind, which also makes it suitable for beginners. It is for this reason that it has been used so often in circuses and has even featured in some movies.
However, training should be done in the same way as for other breeds, that is, with consistency, consistency and patience. Positive reinforcement is always the most effective technique, the least stressful and the one that gives better results. Likewise, even though this is an intelligent dog that loves to learn new things, it is recommended not to do sessions longer than 15 minutes to avoid stress, frustration or boredom.
If you have adopted a large adult poodle, it is also possible to educate him. In this case, it is advisable to start by gaining his trust, then socializing him and continuing with the rest. For more information, don't miss this article:
- How to raise a puppy?
Great Poodle He alth
The Standard Poodle is prone to hereditary eye diseases that can lead to blindness. This is why early screening and treatment at the veterinarian can preserve the Poodle's vision. These diseases are:
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy: Due to the progressive degeneration of photoreceptors, the rods begin to be affected, leading to an increase in night blindness. Subsequently, the cones are affected, resulting in total blindness in the poodle.
- Glaucoma: characterized by an increase in intraocular pressure due to a lack of drainage of the aqueous humor which ends in a progressive loss of nerve fibers in the optic nerve.
- Cataract: formation of a kind of veil on the surface of the lens which hinders vision.
- Entropion: When the lower eyelid folds inwards, the eyelashes and skin rub against the ocular surface, causing discomfort, irritation, ulcers and can lead to complete blindness.
In addition, the Standard Poodle, as a large breed, can be affected by hip dysplasia, which is a poor connection between the articular part of the hip (acetabulum) and the head of the femur, which leads to displacement of this bony head, inflammation and progressive weakening of the joint.It is a degenerative disease that usually results in osteoarthritis, discomfort or pain, lameness and muscular atrophy of the hind limbs.
Other common problems with Poodles are ear infections, so it is essential to prevent them by keeping the area clean. Among the dermatological problems that can be diagnosed with some frequency in poodles are sebaceous adenitis, fungal infections, allergies and pyoderma.
How to adopt a poodle?
If, after reading the information we bring you about this breed, you think you are a good candidate to adopt this type of dog and give it all the care it needs to be happy, the first thing to do is find out about places that offer dogs for adoption (like SPAs). Visit shelters, foster homes or breed associations, which can tell you if they currently have a dog of this breed or a dog crossed for adoption.If not, they will take your details and let you know if a dog is coming.