Miniature Poodle Dog Breed

The AKC classifies the Poodle as a Non-Sporting Dog, and the Miniature Poodle variety is perfectly categorized this way. This decent guard dog is a great companion for first-time families, homes with kids and apartment dwellers too. While Miniature Poodle information and facts are somewhat the same as the varieties that bookend it, you should still understand the qualities and concerns listed below.

PROS

• Very smart
• Good guard dog
• Tend to love water
• Excellent companions
• Coats are hypoallergenic
• Gets along with other pets
• Can be superior in dog shows
• Moderate exercise requirements
• Obedience training is usually easy
• Are practically perfect for apartment living

CONS

• Can be a bit snooty
• Expensive to acquire
• Can be hard to housetrain
• Can be excessive barkers
• Significant grooming needs
• Typically requires a specialized diet
• May have frequent and pricey vet care
• Can quickly and easily develop separation anxiety

The Miniature Poodle is a small sized breed. The American Kennel Club categorizes these dogs as Poodles between 10 and 15 inches in height. You can expect an adult to weigh between 12 and 18 pounds. Their small size makes them ideal apartment pets.

These dogs are very social and well-mannered. They are great with kids and families and should have little issues with other pets provided that proper socialization takes place.

The Poodle is generally considered to be one of the higher maintenance breeds, if not the highest maintenance. The coat will require frequent brushing and trimming, and baths will be necessary to keep it healthy and clean. Exercise needs are moderate.

The Poodle is an ancient breed dating backing at least 2000 years. There is still debate as to when people began to breed these dogs to be smaller, eventually creating the sub-breed that we now know as the Miniature Poodle. The most widely accepted theory is that these dogs began to first be seen around the 1400's, when English or German truffle hunters found that smaller versions of the Poodle were better suited for the job of scenting and digging up truffles due to their smaller feet. It was not long before these dogs became popular amongst the French and English bourgeoisie, who enjoyed the breed for its elegance and intelligence. The Poodle gained acceptance to the Kennel Club in England in 1874 and the American Kennel Club in 1886.

The Poodle has a square frame and carries itself with confidence. It should move with a light, proud, and bouncy gait. Though these dogs may look frilly, they are of working class background and should be muscular and robust. The coat is curly, coarse and dense. The Poodle is known for its flashy hairstyles such as the English saddle, Continental, and sporting; these clips, however, are unnecessary if the dog is not being shown.

The Miniature Poodle has no variations as this distinctly described dog is itself a variety of the Poodle breed. (The other three varieties are the Standard, Moyen, and the Toy Poodle, and the Mini is between these latter two.) There may be large Miniature Poodles as well as small Miniature Poodles; the AKC, however, clearly defines a Miniature Poodle as being "15 inches or under…with a minimum height in excess of 10 inches." As such, there doesn't appear to be much wiggle room let alone reason to create sub-variations.

This breed is known to be very smart (some experts say the Poodle is the second smartest breed), proud, and eager to please. Therefore, these dogs should be rather easy to train. They are also very affectionate and crave attention; they will not be happy if left alone or excluded from the family. The Miniature Poodle is very active around the home and will implore you to play games like fetch - if these dogs are left to their own devices they will become bored and may begin to act out in undesirable ways. Though these dogs do get along well with other people and animals it is still crucial to socialize and train them from a young age; Miniature Poodles that do not receive this type of training may become paranoid or neurotic. A properly raised Miniature Poodle will be a bright and cheerful companion, fun for the whole family.

Poodles are considered to be a healthy breed; the most common cause of death for this breed is old age. There are, however, a few serious health issues that the breed is prone to, namely: Addison's disease, gastric dilatation volvulus (bloat), epilepsy, and hip dysplasia. Do not exercise the dog vigorously after meals. If kept healthy, miniature poodles have an expected lifespan of 14 - 15 years.