The Poodle - An Intelligent Breed

The Poodle - An Intelligent Breed

The Poodle is considered to be the wisest of all breeds of dog. Opinion also exists that the Poodle is a fop because it spends too much time in decorating itself and also because a lot of time has to be spent in grooming and maintaining it. While it is true that a Poodle's owner has to spend a lot of time on its grooming to keep the Poodle clean and beautiful, the Poodle hardly gives its owner any trouble in any other matter.

Poodle lovers agree that no other dog is so responsive and interesting as the Poodle. The dog is extremely intelligent and has exceptional powers of reasoning. There is also something human about its charm and its devotion to its human companions. It learns fast, and poodle owners never tire of related stories about its extraordinary talents and achievements.

A peculiar feature of the Poodle is its long coat, which grows fast. If it isn't regularly brushed and groomed, it twists itself and the new hair clings to this rope-like formation. Thus a uncared-for Poodle has hair twisted in the form of ropes hanging all over its body. If these cords are not cut off or if they don't tear off by themselves, they drag along the ground and cause great distress and discomfort to the Poodle.

Good Show Dog

The Poodle has distinguished itself as a show dog. Well-trained Poodles are known to walk over the tight rope and stand on their heads. It is an excellent dog at performing tricks. Its mental sharpness and agility puts it in a class of its own.

Corded Poodles were immensely popular at dog shows due to the extraordinary appearance of their coats; they attracted a lot of attention. However, dog fanciers are no longer attracted by them, due to which these Poodles have become fewer in number.

Moreover, it is very difficult to keep a Corded Poodle as a pet at home because of its coat. To ensure that the cords are in a firm condition and to prevent them from breaking, the coat of the Poodle should be regularly oiled. The Poodle's coat cannot be brushed; so there is only one way of keeping the dog clean--giving it a regular bath.

Bathing a corded Poodle, however, is a daunting task. The coat takes a long time to dry, and if the dog is not placed in the warm immediately after a bath, it could catch cold, which could lead to further complication. As a result, the coat of Corded Poodles is dirty and smells foul.

General Appearance of a Poodle

The Poodle has a fine, long, and straight head. Its skull is not broad and is slightly raised at the back. Its muzzle is strong and long, and the cheeks are not full. Its teeth are strong, white, and level. The gums and the lips are black. The eyes of a Poodle are almond shaped, dark, and full of life and intelligence. Its nose is sharp and black. Its ears, long and wide, hang close to its face.

The Poodle has a strong, well-proportioned neck, enabling it to carry itself with pride and dignity. Its feet are small, well-shaped with arched toes and thick, hard pads. The fore-legs are set straight from its shoulders and have a strong skeletal and muscular structure. The hind-legs are well-bent and muscular, with its hocks let down.

The Poodle's tail is held high and is never carried back or curled. Its profuse coat has a hard texture. In case of Corded Poodles, it hangs in even, tight cords. If the Poodle is non-corded, the coat is of even length, thick and strong. The hairs are curly and close together, with no knot or cord.