Poodle. S. Meyer Clark

can be carried easily wherever their owners want to take them. Hotels usually accept them with no trouble; trains, ships and airplanes allow them to travel right along with the passengers rather than in cargo areas. In addition, they can be trained to eliminate indoors, thus diminishing the need to walk them outdoors daily. People who live in severe climates and those who live in big cities where walking alone outdoors at night can be unsafe can own a Toy Poodle without worry. As for exercise, games and activities indoors can supply Toy Poodles with adequate exercise and stimulation. They also make ideal companions for elderly people with limited ambulatory ability.

       Poodles welcome children as playmates, provided the children are well behaved and understand that Poodles deserve considerate, special treatment.

       Lovely lady...lovely Poodle. Poodles have been favorites of ladies for generations. While ladies usually favored Toy Poodles, Miniature Poodles also became popular because they are more adaptable and sporting than the Toys.

      Finally, tiny Toy Poodles make ideal partners for people who enjoy active lifestyles yet want to include their dogs in everything they do. A client of mine, for example, has a tiny apricot Poodle that rides around in a canvas bag that she carries over her shoulder. If you were to meet her in the market, you’d never know that hidden in that bag is her best friend, Toby. Apparently, Toby enjoys the gentle swaying of the bag as his owner walks along, so he snuggles into his soft blanket and naps throughout the entire shopping trip.

OWNER SUITABILITY

      First and foremost, the new Poodle owner must consider the grooming requirements of Poodles, regardless of size. This is a life-long need and one that cannot be ignored. Some owners choose to groom their Poodles themselves and purchase the necessary tools to keep their dogs neat and tidy at all times. Others use professional groomers to keep their dogs looking their best. Either way, the Poodle must be fully groomed about every six to eight weeks, along with daily brushing and weekly bathing. The time and costs that this will entail must be considered before purchasing the dog.

       Poodles are more fun to collect than postage stamps or coins! What could make your household more exciting than oodles of Poodles?

      Some Poodle owners elect to combine the two grooming methods. They have their dogs professionally groomed every eight weeks and, in between grooming, they do a lot to maintain that elegant appearance. They learn to trim toenails, clean ears, brush properly and bathe regularly. By taking care of the routine grooming between professional appointments, the owner assures that the coat will not become knotted or matted (the groomer will charge dearly to remove mats from the coat).

      An ideal Poodle owner should be a person who enjoys the intelligence and versatility of the breed. Poodles do not make good “couch potatoes.” Regardless of size, they are active dogs that need to keep busy and be challenged and stimulated on a daily basis.

      They also do not fare well with owners who don’t spend time with them. The Poodle who has to stay home alone for hours on end and then remains alone even after the owner has finished his work day will not be a happy dog. Poodles have large egos and need to be active parts of their owners’ lives, whether that life includes hiking in the park or strolling along the seashore, or anything in between. Accompanying their owners when visiting friends is another favorite pastime of Poodles, and they make great house guests!

       Although larger than the ultraportable Toy, the Miniature Poodle is willing and able to accompany his owner most anywhere.

      One of the Poodle’s favorite activities can be attending obedience classes or entering obedience trials. In every country where obedience trials are conducted, Poodles rank high on the lists of winners because of their intelligence and willingness to please.

      Finally, the Poodle owner should be a person who loves life, enjoys laughter and looks forward to greeting each new day as much as his Poodle does.

       Poodle owners should be people who appreciate the finer qualities of their dogs. A sense of humor and an exuberant love of life are among the traits that owner and Poodle should share.

       Poodle puppies are affectionate and outgoing charmers—one cuddle and you’ll be hooked!

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

      A Poodle should be as tall from the ground to the top of his withers (shoulders) as he is long from the tip of his chest to his rump. The topline (the line of the backbone from shoulder to hip) should be parallel to the ground. His tail should be carried gaily and sport a full pompon at the tip. Poodle feet are shaved clean, as is the face (with the exception of pet males, who may wear mustaches). Poodle ears are long, full and always free of mats and foreign matter. The top of the Poodle skull is covered by a pompon known as a topknot. This topknot adds height to the dog and a distinctive frame around the bright eyes and long muzzle.

       COAT AND GROOMING

      The Poodle’s coat consists of two types of hair. The outer coat should be thick, wiry and curly. The undercoat must be soft and woolly to provide warmth. Puppies, however, are exceptions. Poodle puppy coats are soft and fine with little or no curl, but often with a slight wave. As the dog matures into adulthood, the coat develops a thick, curly quality. The best way to judge a puppy’s potential adult coat is to look at the parents. If they carry good coats, their puppies will likely possess them too.

      Ever since the first hunters trimmed their retrieving dogs to prevent drowning, the Poodle hairstyle has been a favorite topic of conversation among dog people. Initially, Poodles sported either a Continental clip or an English Saddle clip. Now, hundreds of years later, these are still popular; they are required clips for show dogs.

       Poodles have the most abundant and adaptable coats in the dog world—perhaps in the whole animal world. They do not shed as do most other dogs, but their coats require regular brushing and trimming.

      Puppies under one year of age are shown in a simple trim known as a Puppy clip. Only the face, throat, feet and base of tail are clipped. The tail displays the characteristic pompom at its end. The body coat is lightly trimmed to give it a neat unbroken line for a pleasant appearance.

      The Continental clip has full hair around the chest and rib cage, with shaved hindquarters and legs. Large pompons are sculpted over each hip above the area of the kidneys (optional) and around the ankles for protection from the cold.

      The English Saddle clip permits a short mantle of hair over the hindquarters and full coat from the waist to the topknot and ears. The ankle and knee joints are also protected with pompons.

      All Poodles are given a topknot of hair over the skull that is brushed out and groomed to stand erect in a rounded pompon. Adult dogs must be shown in either the English Saddle or Continental clip; the only exception being competitors in Stud Dog and Brood Bitch classes, for which a Sporting clip is