All About The Miniature Poodle Breed Standard
Could that dog in the shelter be a Miniature Poodle? Recognizing a Poodle type dog is a lot more than just looking at what clip their coat is in. Most Miniature Poodles in shelters or breed rescues are not in the fancy show clips. But there are still ways to recognize a Miniature Poodle.
The Humane League of the United States estimates that twenty-five percent of all abandoned animals are purebreds. So, the odds of that shelter dog being a purebred Miniature Poodle are pretty high.
No Miniature Poodle will fulfill every requirement of the breed standard. If you are not sure what the Miniature Poodle breed standard is, even the one for Standard Poodles (the big guys) will suffice. They are identical except for size. A Miniature Poodle is between eleven and fifteen inches tall at the shoulder. They should ideally weigh from fifteen to seventeen pounds, but the shelter dog will most likely be less or more than that.
Any Poodle information for Standard Poodles tends to also apply to Miniature Poodles, only on a smaller scale. Their breed standards are identical (again, except for size). They should be lean, athletic dogs under remarkably puffy coats. Their expression should be happy and lively. Their trot should be lively and bouncy, with their heads and tails naturally held high. Many show Poodles have their tails half docked – a practice which is thankfully dying out.
The breed standard is usually based on looking at a Poodle in profile. In profile, a Miniature Poodle should stand square, have a level topline (spine) and a profile that looks somewhat chiseled and not heavily jowled. The preferred eye color for the show ring is a dark brown, but much lighter eye colors happen often in pet Miniature Poodles. The ears are floppy, with rounded ends and seem to hug the head. They may or may not have dewclaws.
The Miniature Poodle does not naturally grow the outrageous coats seen in the show ring. Their coats do need to be clipped every six to eight weeks or else they take on an evil life of their own. Many owners of pet Miniature Poodles choose the puppy clip, which mimics how the coat looked as a two month old puppy.
Their coats are actually hair and not fur, which makes Poodle types great for those with dog allergies. The coat never seems to stop growing, and grooming demands for Miniature Poodles are high. You will have to go to the groomer at least ten times a year in order to keep the miniature Poodle’s coat under control (and sanitary).
They don’t seem to care whatever clip they are given. Miniature Poodles are long lived (some have reached twenty) and is one of the more healthy breeds of smaller dogs available.
Similar Posts:
- Poodle 101: The Miniature Poodle
- Poodle Information 101: The Standard Poodle
- 8 Fun Poodle Facts
- Poodles: The Rock Stars Of The Dog World
- Award Winning Poodle Breeders
More Related Stuff:
Londons Times Funny Dogs Cartoons - Canine Blind Date Shar-pie and Poodle - Coffee Gift Baskets - Coffee Gift BasketCanine Blind Date Shar-pie and Poodle Coffee Gift Basket is measuring 9x9x4. Contains 15oz mug, BONUS free set of 4 coasters, biscotti and 5 blends o... Read More >
Petz Dogz 2Petz Dogz 2 Wii
Car Truck SUV Beagle Trio with Bone Dog Print Seat Covers 2 Charcoal Grey Universal Vehicle Bucket SeatcoversOne pair of universal style seat covers that will fit standard high back buckets or standard low back bucket seats with the adjustible head rests if y... Read More >
Dachshund Sculptural Louis Comfort Tiffany-Style Lamp: Unique Dachshund Lover Home Decor Lamp by The Ashton-Drake GalleriesAdorable Dachshund Sculptural Lamp Lights Up Your Life with Loyalty! Unique Louis Comfort Tiffany-Style Table Lamp! - Your faithful friend is always t... Read More >
Canine Hardware Treat Tote, Assorted ColorsMade of durable Pack Cloth with a Rip Stop liner, the versatile Treat Tote has a specially designed clip that slips into a pocket or belt for easy carrying. Great for an afternoon at the park or training sessions anywhere.
DOSCH 3D: AnimalsDosch 3D offers 1000s of completely textured 3D-models and scenes for all popular 3D-applications. Users can select from well over 100 different produ... Read More >
Laurel Burch Canine Family Sole Mates Socks BlackLaurel Burch Canine Family Socks Black. They are black and blue base multi-colored socks featuring the original copyrighted artwork of Laurel Burch. These Laurel Burch socks are made of 70% cotton, 20% nylon and 10% spandex. They are adult size 9-11.
Hasbro i-Dog Robotic Music Loving Canine - WhiteMove over, man's best friend, the iDog's here! Nourished exclusively on music (although, like all of us, it appreciates a little positive attention), ... Read More >
Canine Lullabies: Heartbeat Music Therapy, Vols. 1-2Canine Lullabies Combo CD Vol. 2 is just as amazing as Vol. 1, only now it includes all 18 songs from the Musical Therapy Combo CD: London Bridge, Roc... Read More >
