Poodles: Top Dog Breed for Intelligence and Companionship

Poodles are known to melt the hearts of dog lovers. As Poodle breeders will tell you, this elegant animal is both beautiful and intelligent. They are exceptionally skilled at dog events including agility, obedience, tracking and even herding. They are extremely people-oriented dogs and are eager to please. The standard Poodle in particular tends to be good with children. They are adaptable, easy to train and love to go for walks and play. These qualities make for a great family pet. In this article, we'll discuss the different varieties available and how to care for your furry friend.

You can have a white, red, apricot, silver, brown or black Poodle, and they can appear in part-color or multi-colors. They have dense, curly, non-shedding fur that requires regular grooming. Most owners choose simple cuts and they are perhaps the most easily recognizable dogs in the world thanks to their distinct clips. In the puppy clip, the face, throat, base of the tail and feet are shaved. The coat may be shaped with scissors for neatness. Although this clip appears simpler than the other clips, the length of the hair makes it as difficult to maintain as the adult clips. In the continental clip, the face, throat, feet and part of the tail are shaved. The upper half of the front legs is shaved, leaving "pompoms" around the ankles. The hindquarters are shaved except for pompoms on the lower leg. The continental clip is the most popular show clip today. The English saddle clip is similar to the continental. The hindquarters are not shaved except a small curved area on each flank, the feet, and bands just below the stifle and above the hock, leaving three pompoms.

Poodles are a bundle of energy, so make sure that you have the time available to take him or her for regular walks. Without enough physical activity and mental stimulation, this dog group can sometimes get into mischief! To avoid any puppy mishaps, it's best to keep your dog occupied with toys and lots of attention. If you don't have much time and energy, then a Poodle is not your best choice for a pet.

With proper care and nutrition, many Poodle puppies live well into their teens. The most common serious health issues of the standard breed are Addison's disease, gastric dilatation volvulus, thyroid issues, epilepsy, juvenile renal disease, hip dysplasia and cancer. The most common issue is ear infections. Ear infections are a problem in all Poodle varieties but can be minimized by proper ear care. A veterinarian should be consulted as soon as possible if the dog shows signs of an infection.

Poodles do require a great deal of maintenance and attention, so be sure that you have adequate time to dedicate to the proper care of your pet. However, it's time well spent. Your Poodle will be a fun and loving addition to your family.

You are going to need supplies to help keep your dog looking and feeling great. Vitamins, shampoos and pet care products are all essential items for owning a poodle. You will also need to house train the dog to ensure that it does not soil your carpet or floors. All you need is at the Dog Breeds Compendium Web Site.

You must also see the brilliant YouTube video "A Poodle in a Car".