Standard Poodle
Health Problems
Poodles are prone to many of the same health problems as other large breeds such as bloat, hip dysplasia, and ear infections. Eye problems such as cataracts, runny eyes, and retinal atrophy are common as are Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Von Willebrands Disease, and skin conditions. There have also been some problems with Addisons disease and Epilepsy.
It is important to make sure that your breeder has the puppy’s parents OFA certified and that they are aware of any genetic problems with the dogs they own and those they have breed.
Standard Poodle Black
Grooming
The non-shedding quality of the Poodle’s coat means that it does require rather extensive grooming. It is best to brush your Poodle\’s coat every week to keep mats from forming, and after any outdoor adventures to remove any burs or twigs from the coat. These sessions can be very pleasant and a nice chance to bond with your dog and check him or her over for any cuts or abnormalities. Begin grooming your dog as soon as you adopt him or her in order to ensure that grooming does not become a feared or unpleasant experience. During these sessions you should also trim your dog\’s nails and brush his or her teeth. Have your vet or groomer show you the best way to do this. Being able to do it at home will save you around $10 per nail trim, $10-$15 per tooth brushing and will also allow you to keep up on your dog’s health maintenance more easily. If you allow your dog’s nails to grow they can cause pain and damage to your dog’s feet. If they make a clicking sound on bare floors, his or her nails are too long.
Not brushing your dog’s teeth not only causes bad breath but if left for years will cause plaque build-up that must be removed by your vet. This can be a several hundred dollar procedure and as in humans dental problems can lead to health problems including heart disease.
About every 4-6 weeks your dog will need to be taken to a groomer to have its coat cleaned and trimmed. New owners should be prepared to pay between $35 and $50 or more per grooming session. The price is determined by the size of the dog and the condition of the coat when it is brought in, as well as the area you live in. An ambitious owner could try to learn to groom their dog themselves, but it can be rather involved and hard to master.
The style is entirely up to you. For confirmation there are only a few acceptable styles, but for a pet, the possibilities are limitless. Traditionally the feet, base of tail, and face are all shaved down to the skin. Shorter cuts will be easier to maintain as they require less brushing and you can allow more time to pass between grooms, but may not be as appealing as a longer haired look. There is also a style called corded which creates a very unique look. It is rather like “dreadlocks” on people, but can be difficult to maintain.
Exercise
They should have a daily walk to burn off their excess energy and keep them calm and manageable in the house. A daily 30 minute to hour long walk daily should be enough, a session of fetch in the yard or park will also help.
Training
The Standard Poodle is highly intelligent and very trainable dog. It is highly recommended that you start taking your new Poodle puppy to training classes right away. There are Puppy kindergarten classes available to dogs as young as 8 weeks old. Getting started with training right away will ensure that you are able to teach your dogs the necessary skills to fit into your lifestyle happily and will also provide your pup the mental stimulation so important to this breed. As the saying goes in dog training, “you can’t teach nothing,” even if you are unaware of what you are teaching you dog it is certain he or she is learning something from you. Take this in hand right away and don’t let your dog learn bad behaviors. By actively choosing what you teach your Poodle you will avoid circumstances where your dog learns destructive behaviors before you even realize it. There are too many rejected dogs cast into shelters and rescues for reasons that might have been avoided. You will find training to be easy and rewarding with a Poodle by your side. Talk to your local Kennel Club or Humane Society to find out what groups in your area offer dog training classes.
