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 | The Standard Poodle
The Standard Poodle is the large relative of the smaller, companion breeds of Poodle. It was originally used as a duck retriever – hence its French name, Caniche, meaning ‘Duck Dog’. As these dogs were used as retrievers of waterfowl, they were constantly in and out of water, making their coats very heavy. Clipping was eventually performed to reduce water resistance while swimming. Today’s clipping is actually based on historic grooming.
Poodles are good-natured, highly intelligent and very easy to train. They dislike being alone and absolutely thrive on companionship. They are generally very friendly towards strangers and make excellent pets for children. These dogs are not too demanding as far as exercise goes, but they do have a real passion for water. As well as making great companions and retrievers, they also make good guard dogs.
Appearance
The Standard Poodle is an elegant, medium to large-sized dog, with a well-proportioned and dignified head. Both dogs and bitches are around 15 inches (38cms) in height. Dogs weigh around 45 –70lbs (20 – 32kg) and bitches weigh in the region of 45 – 60lbs (20 - 27kg). The muzzle is solid, long and straight, the eyes are dark and the ears are wide and drooping. The tail is docked and the feet are small, compact and oval. The Poodles wiry, curly coat comes in many solid colours, ranging from cream to chocolate, white, blue, grey and black. MF
Grooming
Extensive grooming is required to keep the coat neat and tidy. Regular bathing and clipping is required approximately every six to eight weeks. The teeth are prone to tartar build-up, so they will also need regular attention. One of the best things about the Poodle is that it is perfect for allergy sufferers, as it sheds little to no hair.
Health problems
Poodles are unfortunately subject to many genetic diseases. They can also suffer from cataracts, skin conditions, hip displasia, running eyes, ear infections and bloat. However, Poodles are relatively long-lived and can live for twelve to fifteen years.
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