Miniature Poodle Care

The Miniature Poodle is sometimes called "15 pounds of love and happiness"--and millions of owners everywhere will likely agree. Though a lot of those owners shower their little dogs with a lot of TLC, Miniature Poodle care doesn't actually require a huge amount of work. Below you'll find plenty of details on raising a Miniature Poodle: puppies' care and development, diet and nutrition, exercise needs, and more. To both new and experienced Mini Poodle owners: you've come to the right page. Keep reading for more!

Mini Poodles, just like all breeds, get huge benefits from daily exercise. And as intelligent little dogs, Mini Poodles will do best if they participate in activities that work out their brains in addition to their bodies. That's not to say that typical walks with your Mini Poodle aren't useful too--quite the contrary! When many people hear the words "miniature poodle," they envision a little white dog trotting along on its leash as it walks with its owner--for good reason. Walking, along with other participatory activities, is both beneficial and popular among dogs of this breed.

But just how much exercise does your Mini Poodle need? Though the amount will depend on the dog's age and overall activity level, the typical adult Mini Poodle will need 45-60 minutes of exercise per day. You can start exercising your Mini Poodle puppy at three months of age by taking it on short (15-minute) walks once per day, then increase the walks' duration and frequency as the puppy grows. (Between 3-12 months of age, a good rule of thumb is five minutes of exercise for each month of the puppy's age; six months old = 30 minutes of exercise, nine months old = 45 minutes, and so on.)

Some things to consider when exercising your Mini Poodle: first, don't exercise a puppy too hard. This breed is prone to joint problems like hip dysplasia and luxating patella, and those issues often originate from a Mini Poodle puppy doing too much jumping and running. And regardless of its age, when walking a Mini Poodle be mindful of your own walking speed. A medium-fast walk to humans is a high-speed trot to these dogs, so try not to walk too fast, as it'll tire your Mini Poodle out very quickly. And it's best to avoid exercising a Mini Poodle in extreme cold, as these little dogs get chilled easily. If you live in a cold region, it's recommended that you have the Poodle wear a doggy coat when outdoors.

Safeguards aside, it's important to exercise your Mini Poodle every single day. Under-exercising a Poodle can lead to all sorts of behavioral problems: irritability, attention-seeking, even aggression and destructiveness. So consistent physical activity is good for the dog's sanity as well as your own! Here are a few exercise ideas:

• Walking: Two 20-minute walks per day is a good target
• Fetch: Can be played indoors or out
• Canine Sports: Mini Poodles excel in obedience and agility trials
• Hide-and-Seek: Give the dog a treat when it finds you
• Dog Park: Mini Poodles will benefit from the company of other dogs

When indoors, it's good to give your Mini Poodle access to one or more balls or chew-toys that will allow the dog to release any pent-up energy. It's also recommended that you establish a consistent daily exercise schedule for your Mini Poodle, such as walks after breakfast and dinner and a play period in the afternoon.

Miniature Poodle shedding is extremely low, and drooling is basically a non-issue as well.

Mini Poodles are considered one of the most hypoallergenic of all breeds--they're great for allergy sufferers, in other words. Though these dogs are not completely non-shedding, the amount of shed hairs is extremely low. This lack of shed hair, though, creates another problem: frequent matting. The shed hairs, instead of falling out, get trapped within the coat, which will cause it to mat very easily. Owners will need to brush their Mini Poodles' coats often and have them clipped every 4-6 weeks to keep the coats in good shape.

And a Mini Poodle almost never drools--maybe a bit in anticipation of food, but practically none otherwise. If your Mini Poodle is drooling excessively, it may be a sign of a medical issue, in which case a trip to the veterinarian's office is necessary.

As with any breed, diet and nutrition is vital to Miniature Poodles' health and happiness. Also like most breeds, Miniature Poodle food will need to contain plenty of nutrients, including animal proteins and carbohydrates for energy and omega fatty acids for healthy coats and skin. A few owners believe a raw diet consisting of fresh meat, eggs, and fruits/veggies is best for these dogs; most owners, though, find this raw diet too expensive and inconvenient, so the most popular choice is premium dry food. The dry food will need to be high-quality because it'll contain the necessary proteins, carbs, and fats that cheap dog food simply doesn't have.

But how much of this premium food should you feed your Mini Poodle? And how often? Adult Mini Poodles--and this amount may vary depending on a dog's age and activity level--will need about ¾ cup of premium dry food per day, divided into two meals. Puppies, again depending on their age, need a bit less: about ½ cup per day, divided into three meals until the pup is six months old. It's recommended that you feed a young Mini Poodle puppy food until it's about ten months old, then you can transition to adult formula by mixing the two types. It's also a good idea to establish a consistent daily feeding schedule for your Mini Poodle so the dog gets used to eating at the same time every day. For more details on feeding a Miniature Poodle, see the following chart:

* -- Around this time, begin mixing in a bit of adult food with the puppy food. Slowly increase the adult amount in each meal over a week's time, until the adolescent is eating all adult formula.

Though the above-listed portions may seem small, they're ample enough for Mini Poodles. It's best to stick to these portions, because Mini Poodles can become obese if overfed. A fat Mini Poodle will have joint, digestive, and breathing problems (not to mention a shortened lifespan). You can help control your Poodle's weight in several ways: have a regular feeding schedule, give the dog plenty of exercise, and no "free-feeding." Free-feeding is leaving food in the dog's bowl all the time, allowing it to eat whenever it wants, which veterinarians say is a completely unhealthy practice. Put your Mini Poodle's bowl down only at mealtimes, then pick it up 15-20 minutes after the dog begins eating.

If you're worried your Mini Poodle is overweight, give the dog this simple Ribs Test: run a hand along its side, and if you can easily feel ribs, it's diet time. Decrease the dog's food intake by one-fourth, and add an extra walk or play period to its daily exercise schedule.

Though opinions differ over what's the best dog food for Miniature Poodles, the most popular and sensible choice is premium dry food. Some believe a "raw" diet of meat, eggs, and fresh fruits and vegetables is best for these little dogs--but many owners find such a diet too inconvenient and expensive, and choose premium dry food for their Mini Poodles instead.

These dogs should not be kept outside in extreme temperatures, as they are liable to overheating.