Types of Poodles: Get to Know this French Dog

There are a few different types of Poodles out there, which may come as a surprise to some dog lovers who may have thought there were only one or two. For instance, there are varying sizes of poodles in addition to there being different mix breeds of poodles out there as well. Breeds and sizes of poodles such as the standard, miniature, and toy poodle, as well as the terrier poodle mix just to name a few. All types of poodles are incredibly adorable and lovable. They are surely a breed worth learning more about, especially if you're thinking if this is the right dog breed for you.

Standard Poodle 

The standard poodle is the largest of the poodle breeds, weighing in at an average of 60 pounds and 24 inches tall. They were the first breed of a poodle that appeared in Germany once upon a time back in the 15th century. Some historians say that the poodle's purpose at the time was to act as a water retriever, thought to be a relative of the French Barbet dog.

Their personality and temperament may surprise you, considering how cute and fluffy they make great guard dogs and will protect their family ferociously.

They are brave and alert, always on the lookout for potential danger like a guard dog.

The standard poodle is one of the top 10 most popular dogs in the United States according to some surveys taken.

Miniature Poodle

Per American standards for dog sizes, the miniature poodle is considered to be a mid-sized dog. Miniature poodles are just as spunky and full of personality as their standard cousins. The miniature poodle didn't start showing up as pets until after the standard size poodle. Where they were found, they would either be utilized as a working dog or just loved as a family pet.

Miniature poodles grow up to 15 inches tall on average and have a good dog life expectancy. They tend to live a long and healthy 10 to 12 years of life with their family. Originally the miniature poodle was bred for hunting purposes but is now loved as family pets as well as agile and athletic companions. 

Toy Poodle

Toy poodles are the smallest and most fawned over poodle breed for their obvious cuteness. Due to their tiny, pocketbook size, they are often called dog divas, but they actually have the opposite personality of a diva. They are actually very intelligent and loving, just like their larger poodle cousins. 

Toy poodles were specially bred back in the 18th century for the purpose of special hunting tasks. Surprisingly enough, poodle breeders of this time frame were able to figure out how to essentially scale down the standard poodle to this toy-sized dog. 

Terrier Poodle Mix

The terrier poodle mix is a great mix dog breed for someone who suffers from allergies to dog fur, as most breeds of terriers, as well as many poodles, tend to be hypoallergenic. They also tend to shed very minimally and don't grow to be very large dogs. 

As far as the personality or temperament of a terrier poodle mix, it’s hard to say from one dog to the next. When mixing two breeds the personality that may result is always a surprise. A terrier poodle mix might be the perfect dog for you if you would love a fun-loving dog who is hypoallergenic and tends to air on the side of being independent and protective. 

Poodle Grooming

Even thinking about grooming the large and fluffy coat of fur that poodles have. It may seem intimidating but it's definitely doable. First and most importantly to know about poodles’ coats is that it isn’t actually fur but is hair. Meaning, it's softer than the fur of most other dogs and will grow infinitely if left uncut. 

Poodles do shed at times, but thankfully for their tight curls that they grow as they get older, the loose hairs tend to get caught in the curls and not fall all over the place. Once your poodle is an adult, experts recommend having them professionally groomed at least every 3-6 weeks or so.

Conclusion

Poodles are one of the few breeds of dogs that come in such a variety of sizes that are each almost identical to the next. These unlikely hunting dogs have existed as man's best friend for centuries now, and still to this day. 

Their fur coat is a sight to see at times, and even more intimidating to think about caring for on a regular basis. Poodles of any size make a great pet and guard dog but do take a special level of care to keep groomed and maintained. 

Do poodles shed?

Poodles are often considered to be a hypoallergenic breed of dog, as they only shed in minimal amounts. They do have dander but tend to not trigger canine allergies as much as many other breeds do with people.

How much is a poodle?

If you want a purebred poodle you are going to be facing a higher bill than if you were to adopt a mixed breed of a poodle that you may find in a shelter. For a standard-sized Poodle, you could be paying anywhere in the range of $700-1,500. For a miniature or toy poodle, the price is a little higher. For these tiny dogs, people often pay between $1,000 and $2,000.

How big do toy poodles get?

The size that your poodle will grow depends on the size they were bred to be, as there are three sizes of poodle - standard, miniature, and toy. The standard Poodle typically grows to be 15 inches tall and 45-70 pounds. The miniature Poodle can range from 10-15 inches and 12 pounds. And finally, the toy Poodle only grows to be 10 inches tall and 5-7 pounds.

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