Standard Poodle Puppy Dog Care Information

Photo of an attractive
Standard Poodle puppy dog

Standard Poodle Health Information:

Like any breed of dog, the Poodle is subject to a variety of health concerns. Your best bet is, when deciding to choose a new Poodle puppy, check around with several breeders and ask about the various health issues that can affect these beautiful little dogs. A reputable breeder should be well-versed in the health concerns and should be able to give you more details, as well as showing you the sire and dam of your potential puppy. Some of the health problems that can affect Standard Poodles include:

Progressive retinal atrophy
Epilepsy
Hypothyroidism
Hip dysplasia
Von-Willebrand's Disease
Addison's Disease
Sebaceous Adenitis

Standard Poodle Exercise Information:

A high-spirited and active dog, the Poodle is one who likes to stay busy. While he does not require a home in the country, he is still perfectly at home in those surroundings and, if confined to city life, will undoubtedly drag his owner out for numerous walks or trips to the dog park on a daily basis. Due to their intelligence and activity levels, they are ideal animals for obedience events and canine obstacle courses.

Standard Poodle Grooming Needs:

The Princess of Primp, the Poodle is perhaps one of the most elaborately clipped dogs in the world. Whether clipped or unclipped, they possess a curly coat that will grow in tight ringlets if left unattended. Of course, most people will tell you half the fun of having a poodle is the coiffed appearance of this pampered pooch. What few realize, however, is that there is more than one way to powder-puff your Poodle:

The Puppy Clip: If under a year in age, the Poodle is often shown in what is known as the "puppy clip." In this clip, the face, throat, feet, and the base of the Poodle's tail are shaved and the rest of the coat is left long, save for a pompon on the end of the dog's tail.

The English Saddle: Clipping the face, throat, forelegs, feet and base of the tail, the Poodle is left with puffs of hair on the forelegs and a pompon on his tail. A short blanketing of hair is left over the hindquarters, save for a curved shaved area on each flank and two bands shaved into each hind leg. The rest of the coat may be left long.

The Continental: When clipping a Poodle in a "Continental" style, the face, throat, feet, and the base of the Poodle's tail are shaved, as are the hindquarters. Optional pompons may be left on the hips, but the legs are always shaved with puffs on the front legs and bracelets on the hind and the dog sports a pompon on the end of his tail, as well.

Sporting: The Poodle that is clipped in a "Sporting" style has his face, throat, feet and the base of his tail shaved, but the top of his head is scissor-cut into a simple cap. The remainder of the body is either clipped or scissor-cut to a length of no more than an inch, following the lines of the dog's body. As always, the Poodle's tail sports a pompon at the end.