History

Looking at the life of a miniature poodle today, the jewelry, the bright-colored coats and the luxury they live in, one may be shocked that these pooches used to accompany hunters many years ago. They were developed in Germany but developed into their own distinct breed in the country of France.

They were developed especially for waterfowl hunting. They are believed to be a hybrid of different water dogs from Europe. They are believed to be a result of crosses between Spanish, Russian, Hungarian, Portuguese, French and German water dogs.

There are also different theories that link its ancestry to different parts of the world like Africa and Asia. One thing however clear is that the Miniature Poodle is a very old breed. There are illustrations of this breed on Egyptian and Roman artifacts and tombs. Many believe Miniature Poodles came hundreds of years later after the Standard Poodles.

Temperament

They are intelligent, loyal, loving and mischievous. Poodle enthusiasts describe them as having an air of distinction. Miniature Poodles have a daffy streak and love to play.

They can however often get leery with strangers. They are shy and if not socialized with new people and animals at an early age, will grow up a little laid back.

The Miniature Poodle is very protective of his family and is quick to bark whenever strangers approach your home. They are highly trainable and have high energy.

Environment

Miniature Poodles require an environment of care and discipline. If they are spoilt and untrained, they’ll believe they are the alpha dog of the family and can get away with anything.

They can be raised in apartment homes because of their small stature. You don’t need to build high fences fearing a Miniature Poodle might wander off. They love to be with their family so they don’t have the tendency of wandering off.

Exercise

Early socialization is critical to their development. Without this, they will get scared easily and be aggressive at strangers. Take your Miniature Poodle for walks of about an hour.

Play games of fetch with them, they love tasks that challenge them mentally. They were working dogs historically, so it is no wonder that they want something to occupy their bodies and minds.

Grooming

The Miniature Poodle is a safe choice for people with allergies. They are a non-shedding breed and they have been found to give allergic people no reaction at all. Their coat comes in several colors. Their colors include blue, black, white, gray, silver, brown, cream, etc.

They are high maintenance dogs. Their beautiful coat can be trimmed, clipped, curled and generally manipulated into different lovely shapes.  They require grooming every three to six weeks to keep their coat in good condition.

They need to be bathed every three to six weeks. You can invite a professional groomer to help beautify your poodle but they’ll still need to be brushed daily.

Poodles have weepy eyes and you will need to wipe the hair under their eyes often to get rid of this stain. Make sure you check their ear often to spot any developing infection for quick treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Miniature Poodle