Archive for March, 2010

The Art Of Poodle Grooming

Poodles have long been a loyal companion to humans. They were originally bred to be a hunting dog and the breed has evolved from there. There are three sizes in the Poodle family including the standard sized Poodle, the Miniature Poodle and the Toy Poodle.
Poodles are known to be energetic, loving and very trainable dogs. The Toy Poodle can be a little temperamental and older children are better around this breed.

Whatever size poodle is desired, one thing that will remain consistent is the fact that poodle grooming will be part of the routine with your dog. Poodles need to be groomed as they have very dense fur, they don’t shed and the fur needs to be trimmed.

Tips And Tricks

Many find that is just easier to take their dog for poodle grooming at a local pet grooming location. This is a great choice, but one that can become costly. Poodle grooming can be done at home, and often is a great time to truly bond with your pet.

Poodle grooming is a centuries old tradition. Originally these dogs were groomed to help them in retrieving water fowl from the water. Because of their dense coats, poodles would often struggle when swimming. Hunters began trimming the fur off of their hind quarters, but leaving tufts of fur around their joints to keep them warm. This is a traditional style for poodle grooming and can be seen in poodles that are being shown in dog shows.

A poodle can also be shaved, which is a much easier way to maintain their coats, and can be a simple way to learn poodle grooming. In the summer this can be the best choice for your poodle as their fur is heavy and can make the days much hotter for them.

The correct equipment is required for poodle grooming. Since the Poodle has such dense fur, it is important to have a good dog shampoo and conditioner to be able to comb through the fur. Clippers are also important for poodle grooming and can be purchased at most pet stores.

When learning poodle grooming you may want to take a class. Many pet stores offer classes on grooming as well as obedience training. You can also ask your veterinarian for any advice on where to learn poodle grooming.

Fortunately, while you are learning how to groom your dog, they won’t realize any mistakes that you have made and once you’ve perfected the art of poodle grooming, it can not only save you money but build trust between you and your pet.

The poodle is one of the best known dogs around, and the breed has always been popular. Commonly seen in circuses, dog shows, and in the home, the poodle is very friendly and versatile, meaning that it can be trained to do just about anything! If you are looking for a dog that can fit nicely into your lifestyle, the poodle is the way to go not only are they easily trained, but they come in three distinct sizes, making it easy to choose the one that works best for you and your family.

Historical Frills

Historically, the poodle was a popular dog among aristocracy and higher classes. Though it is now known that the dogs originated in France, there has always been some dispute at this fact by those who claim that they might have also originated in Germany or Russia. Today, the poodle is the national dog of France. Also known as Caniche or Barbone (both of these mean “duck dog”), it was most likely the Germans who gave the dog the name Pudel, which means “to splash in water.”

Before becoming popular among the rich, the poodle was used as a hunting dog to retrieve birds. Throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, poodles were frequently seen in the circus. However, both of these roles have little to do with what they are well known for today. In modern times, these dogs are very popular show dogs and are well known for their performances in dog shows. They were first brought to the United States at the end of the nineteenth century, and their popularity soared after World War II.

A Crazy Cut

One of the features that has always been the most distinguishing about the poodle is the funny haircut that seems to be a tradition. Though the poodle cut once made sense because it allowed the dog to move more easily through the water, it soon became a widespread phenomenon. Today, it is not seen as frequently as before; however, poodles still tend to have unique hair dos.

One of the things that is most convenient about this dog breed is that they come in three different sizes: toy, standard, and miniature. The miniature has traditionally been more popular than the others. Size-wise, the standard dog grows to be anywhere over 15 inches and weights about 45-70 pounds. The miniature, as the next smallest size, tends to fall into the height range between 11 and 15 inches, and it usually weight between 15 and 17 pounds. Lastly, the smallest toy version of this dog is usually no taller than 10 inches, and weighs only about 6-9 pounds.

A Tradition Of Excellence

The poodle’s status as a popular dog today, but also as a dog with a history of being a revered hunting dog, a crazy circus dog, and a posh show dog, allow modern day owners to feel confident when deciding to own one for themselves. With size choices making it easy to pick a dog that will best fit your life style, there is no reason why you shouldn’t consider picking up one of these excellent dogs today.