Toy poodle
The poodle is a direct descendant of Barbet, a breed of African origin that came to the Iberian Peninsula to breed with Portuguese water dogs. Subsequently, the two breeds would be separated, thanks to the efforts of the breeders who wanted to develop a dog to hunt waterfowl. However, in their origins they shared many features. As for its name, the French word “poodle” is considered to come from “cane”, the female of the duck. Thus, the term refers to the action of these animals in the water, as if they were ducks.
- Thanks to their sociable personality.
- Extremely faithful and positive.
- The poodles went from being dog hunters to pets.
- And the breed was even considered the national dog breed of France in the fifteenth century.
- From there.
- Breeders tried to obtain a uniform color layer for the breed.
- Avoiding stains and other undesirable patterns.
The fame of these animals was such that the Poodle Club was founded in Paris in 1922. A few years later, in 1936, the IFC established the official breed standard, but for the toy-sized poodle, this recognition would not come. until many years later, it took until 1984 to be recognized. Poods are also known by different names in other countries, such as Poodle in Spain and Pudel in Germany.
Toy poodles are small dogs, whose height should not exceed 28 centimeters to the cross, and whose weight should be around 2 and 2.5 kg, being really very small; therefore, you should be aware of possible signs of dwarfism, which appear pathologically. Its body is symmetrical, with strong and well-developed legs that end in small oval feet. The tail is very inserted and traditionally remains intact in the poodles of wavy hair, but not in the poodles of curly hair, in which they were cut until only a third of the original tail remains.
The head of the toy poodle has symmetrical lines, an elongated and narrow shape, with marked cheekbones and expressive eyes in the form of dark almond. Enlarged ears and insertion. According to the fur, there are two types of Toy Poodle: those of curly hair, thick, uniform and thick hair; or wavy hair, which have thinner, smoother and woolly hair, also very abundant. The color of the fur can be brown, black, gray, orange, reddish or white, but always in a single uniform color.
Toy poodles are, like other poodles, active, obedient and intelligent dogs, allowing them to be an easy breed to train and educate. In fact, it is considered one of the smartest dogs in the world according to Stanley Coren. Unlike other breeds of dogs, the poodle requires few repetitions to understand an order, exercise or situation, and is capable of a practically perfect development. We also talk about a particularly sociable breed, so it does not tolerate the absence of its guardians. In fact, excessive and frequent loneliness can lead this dog to exhibit undesirable behaviors, such as destructiveness, stress or vocalization.
It is an ideal dog for families with children, because for its personality and energy, it is the ideal companion for the little ones of the house. It is also able to socialize very well with other pets and the elderly, as long as you socialize positively with everyone in your sensitive period as a puppy. When properly maintained, the toy poodle adapts well to large and small spaces.
Due to the characteristics of their coats, toy or miniature poodles should be brushed daily to avoid knots, accumulation of dirt and excess hair throughout the house. As for the bathroom, it is advisable to give only a monthly bath. Keep in mind that for proper brushing it is important to follow certain rules and choose the most suitable brush, taking into account your pet’s hair. Don’t forget the hygiene of eyes, ears, teeth and cut nails, which are also part of the basic care.
Another important aspect is physical and mental stimulation, because we are talking about a dog that is very physically active and with the mind awake, which requires guardians who can contribute more enrichment than other breeds. It is important to offer between 3 and 4 walks daily, in addition to practicing some physical exercise or canine sport. You should also teach obedience, dog skills or play intelligence games to develop your cognitive skills. Enriching the atmosphere at home will also help in this regard.
Finally, remember the importance of feeding, which will affect the quality of the fur and the health of the animal. You can find out about the best dog food on the market or even go to the vet to find the one that best suits your toy poodle. In addition, you can also ask the specialist to help you prepare raw homemade or homemade recipes, such as the BARF diet.
The education of the toy poodle should begin quickly, when it is still a puppy. The most important step will be the period of socialization, which begins in the third week and ends around 3 months of life, when the little one must learn to relate to all kinds of people (people, dogs, cats …), as well as know other environments. Of course, for this, it’s important that you’ve received all the vaccines. If the dog is not properly socialized, it may develop behavioral problems in the future, such as fear or aggression. If it is not possible to socialize with your parents or siblings, consult a dog educator to attend dog classes.
Always in your puppy’s stage, you should teach him to urinate in the newspaper, control the bite and start playing games and activities to stimulate his mind. That said, always in a positive way, as if it were a game.
Then, when the puppy has all the vaccinations a day, you have to teach him to walk, urinate in the street, start basic education exercises, and obedience orders, including sitting, lying down, shutting up, and coming to you. . They are essential for your safety and for good communication with the tutor.
Poodles have certain diseases associated with the genetics of the breed, so most of the diseases we will mention are hereditary. Some of them affect vision, such as entropion, cataract, glaucoma, or progressive retinal atrophy. They may also suffer from hypothyroidism, which affects thyroid hormones, epilepsy and ear infections. To avoid these ear infections, it is recommended to clean your ears following a number of guidelines, such as using appropriate products and leaving your ears completely dry after cleaning. They may also develop diseases that affect skin health, such as fungi, allergies, or pyodermites. Finally, it is worth mentioning in the context of the joints the possible presence of hip dysplasia, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease or patellar dislocation.
To prevent and/or detect some of the above health problems, it is important to visit the veterinarian every 6 to 12 months, as regular specialized follow-up will help you quickly detect any abnormalities. You should also strictly follow the vaccination schedule or the puppy’s deworming program.