The breed of dogs Poodle, in which the Toy poodle or poodleIt is very old and has always been highly valued. Due to its complacent nature, it has remained a faithful companion and extremely useful in hunting as a retriever. There are three sizes of this breed, being that of the Pygmy Poodle the intermediate one.
Its particular accessory appearance has earned him incredible popularity among the nobility and more recently, among stars of the show. It is one of the favorite pets for circus shows due to its obedience, compact size, adaptability and extraordinary intelligence.
Origin and history of the Toy Poodle
The Poodle or Poodle has well-defined origins, the experts are clear that at first the Poodle and the Barbet were the same breed and that as humans evolved so did their pets in the work they did. Dogs had specific herding and hunting functions and the Poodle was no exception
One of the most obvious mixtures is the league between the Poodle and the Spaniel, thus achieving a particular softness in the breed's coat. Between the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries the nobility showed a special predilection for this breed and that's when the mixes started to make it smaller. Therefore, it is in this period that the toy poodle appears.
However, its characteristic cut responds more to a basic need than to mere appearance. While the Poodle worked as a retriever, it often had to swim to retrieve some prey for its owner, but its thick coat caused it to drown. For this reason, they began to eliminate unnecessary hair, thus being the beginning of the traditional Poodle cut.
The popularity that the Poodle achieved in Europe was such that there is numerous documentation on this dog and its presence in multiple works of art. It became the favorite pet of the elite and the nobility, but this did not happen only because of their nice appearance, but also because of their obedience, intelligence, fidelity and expressive affection towards their owners.
The Poodle breed takes a leap from the mainland to the UK and immediately wins top dog shows. Its qualities as a companion dog do not go unnoticed either., and thus becomes the favorite pet of the elderly. Their sensitive sense of smell was a very useful feature when using Toy Poodle dogs as part of the breed used in the crosses necessary to obtain the truffle dog.
In the XNUMXth century prior to World War I, the Poodle was colonizing North American soil, becoming the most popular breed in the American Kennel Club. His advantage in obedience competitions is so overwhelming that some countries prohibit his participation in these tests. Currently, the three characteristic sizes are duly recognized and standardized of the Poodle by both the AKC and the FCI.
Physical characteristics of the poodle
The toy poodle must measure exactly the same from the ground to the withers as from the sternum to the rump. The length of the body usually exceeds the height of the withers. The line of the column is parallel to the ground. Its tail is raised and implanted at the height of the kidney. The body complexion should be square.
The size of the Toy Poodle is between 25 and 35 cm of the height at the withers and a weight of 12 kg. The coat can be of different shades such as: white, black, gray, brown, red and apricot. However, the most conservative consider that there are only three colors: black, white and dark brown.
The color of the eyes is usually dark or black like the nose, the lips and the edge of the eyelids, except for those of apricot and brown fur color that have dark amber eyes. They also have the line of the eyelids, their lips and the nose of liver color.
The body of the Poodle is graceful and shapely, with a small head. The eyes are located at the level of the naso-frontal depression and their shape is slightly oblique. The ears are drooping and round-tipped and broad at the base. The muzzle is long and has a scissor bite.
Temperament
The Poodle breed varies in its personality according to size, for example: the Toy Poodle has an expressive and cheerful character. His intelligent look is extremely lively and expressive. It is highly complacent with its owners for whom it feels absolute devotion.
This breed of dog likes to attract attention and does not miss an opportunity to stand out. As an alarm dog and even a guardian, it is extremely suitable, as his protective instinct and unique bravery lead him to risk his life if necessary to protect his human family.
Care
Initially the health of the Poodle must be taken care of since this is very important, following the weaning recommendations, taking care of the diet and taking it to the vet when necessary. They should have their vaccinations up to date and avoid parasites and mites.
The next aspect that Poodle owners occupy is the coat. Because it tangles easily, it should be brushed two to three times a week. He will take a bath preferably when he starts to smell bad and it is recommended that a professional do the hairdressing services.
With regard to physical activity, it is necessary that they take a walk daily for at least one hour. Exercise is important for this breed, both to maintain it at its ideal weight and emotional balance. They are companion dogs, so being alone for a long time does not do them well. If they are not accompanied, they can develop imbalances such as sadness and anxiety that will manifest itself with destructive behavior.
Health and disease
Many breeds of dogs suffer from various diseases of a hereditary nature, this is common among many living beings including humans. The ideal is to be truthfully informed about the health of the parents, since in this way some conditions can be prevented through early diagnosis, either with veterinary treatments or specific care.
It is necessary to find out about any type of bone disease, such as hip dysplasia, cases of epilepsy or vision problems, the latter usually occurs in poodles especially when they are older. Among the eye diseases that they may suffer are: glaucoma, cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, corneal dystrophy, entropion, tear duct abnormality and night blindness, which is also necessary be attentive to the health of the skin and take care of the diet to avoid gastric torsion.