Poodles
Modified: 30-11--0001 00:00:00
The Poodle is a gun dog noted for its ability in the water and bird hunting skills. Poodles come in three sizes:
Standard (over 15 inches at the shoulder - most are in the 22-27" range);
Miniature (over 10 inches and not over 15 inches);
Toy ( 10 inches and under.)
The original Poodles were water dogs used for retrieving,the texture and pattern of their coats to this day reflect the purposes for which they were bred. Miniatures and Toys have been bred down from the larger Poodles and they exhibit the same general characteristics. The Poodle is an active, intelligent, ruggedly-built dog which is at the same time elegant and refined. Well-bred Poodles in all three varieties now have steady, calm nerves, hardy constitutions and they can be easily trained. A Poodle is a "person" and he expects to be treated as one. Each one is a character and for that reason they make wonderful companions.
A Poodle should be(and will make himself) a member of the family. Prospective owners of Poodles should be equipped to provide a fenced-in area in which the Poodle can exercise or be prepared to walk the Poodle regularly on a leash. Poodles require regular clipping and grooming as they do not shed.
The best place to buy a Poodle is from a Poodle breeder. A reputable breeder tries to produce the ideal Poodle as described in the Standard of the Poodle; he wants to produce a sound, healthy dog, excellent in conformation and temperament, one which will be both an ideal show dog and an ideal companion. He has spent much time and effort in study, breeding and selection; his breeding program is based on accumulated knowledge of which dogs to use to produce the best Poodles. Not all puppies in a litter will satisfy his definition of a show prospect. Maybe in a litter only one or two puppies will be retained for showing; the others he will classify as "pet puppies."
The differences will be so small that only an expert judge will be able to make the distinction; the eyes may be a bit too light, the tail a bit gay or the hocks a bit straight. All Poodles in the litter will display essentially the same characteristics, the same quality of construction, personality and health. For a pet price a prospective buyer can purchase a well-bred, professionally raised Poodle, backed by the integrity of the breeder, accompanied by helpful advice, instructions and the enduring interest of the breeder in the welfare of the dog which he is selling. Puppy Mills and pet shops, those who exploit the popularity of the Poodle in order to make a fast buck, buy their dogs in litters, usually by mail, as early as they can be weaned. They are not concerned with temperament, hereditary faults or quality; they are simply interested in so many puppies that they can sell for so many dollars. They do not bother about medical care.
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