SO YOU WANT TO OWN A POODLE

The basic areas to explore when planning to purchase a Poodle are:

The Breeder - Registered /reputable / recommended / will they mentor you?

Variety - Consider expense, size, your situation, family, holidays etc.

The Vet – your new best friend

Accommodation – safe, secure, clean, comfortable, weatherproof

Food – no fads, just basic good nutrition for physical fitness

Exercise – socialization at first, more physical exercise as puppy matures, then daily commitment.

Grooming routines – after puppy training, 5 minutes daily, ½ hour weekly and 6 weekly groomer visits (your new second best friend)

Training – early puppy training in particular involves a time commitment by you. Use your local Obedience Club (check the Dogs QLD website www.dogsqld.org.au).

Companionship – your Poodle is a friend, not an accessory.

History The Poodle's origins can be found mainly in Germany, France and Russia. The word Poodle derives from the German word ‘Pudel’ meaning to splash in water. Appearing in European art from the fifteenth century (1400's), Poodles became the national dog of France and a popular companion dog. Poodle Clubs were formed in the United Kingdom in 1876, in the USA in 1931 and in New South Wales in 1955.

Did you know Winston Churchill owned a Miniature Poodle called ‘Rufus’? Standard Poodles are the largest of the breed and were bred as water retrievers. The thick coat and the traditional trims reflect the practical requirements of retrieving in cold European waters.

Miniature and Toy Poodles were developed over the centuries as companions, circus and street performers, and for searching out truffles, the mushroom-like fungus used in gourmet cooking. In Australia Poodles performed in circuses on the gold fields in the nineteenth century. Poodles first appeared in a show catalogue at the Sydney Royal Easter Show of 1873. At first all Poodles were shown as ‘Standards’. The first classification of Miniature Poodle at a Sydney Royal Easter Show occurred in 1950. Toy Poodles are now extremely popular.

Finding your Poodle – Research the breed this can’t be stressed hard enough, poodles do think they are humans on 4 paws, they will own you not vice versa! They are a very intelligent breed and crave companionship. Research the breeder, find those that breed the size you want, get recommendation from someone who knows the breed, avoid cross breed dogs despite the stories you will hear, crossing poodles with other breeds only serves to create genetic time bombs, shorten life spans, often leading to early blindness, huge vet bills with heart and limb problems, poor temperaments and often other serious problems, definitely not what you want in a poodle.

A reputable poodle breeder will have good lines in their breeding, usually stick to one or two solid colours and can show you genetic test results, often they will have all their breeding stock to view and can show you previous litter information to give you a better idea of size, colour and look of pup. Their pups will be robust healthy pups, good size litters, and excellent temperament and give you a positive, passionate vibe for their dogs. They will also be supportive in your choices and offer after sales support and be professional with all dealings with you.

Suitability with children all dogs require responsible training and socialization to become good companions. Poodles of all sizes are suitable to be around children as long as supervised by a responsible adult. Children should also be provided with advice so they can learn about the needs of the dog and be aware of basic handling requirements. It is important children remain calm around dogs and young children may require additional supervision. Toy Poodles are small dogs and may require extra care to avoid injury from active, boisterous children. Standard Poodles are large dogs and young children cannot be expected to take responsibility for them.

Exercise requirements Can you commit? Adult Standard Poodles benefit from regular, moderately vigorous outside exercise and stimulation. However, puppy outings (after 12-weeks of age) should be primarily for experience and socialization, and care should be taken not to over exercise the pup. The smaller varieties of Poodles also benefit from regular outings, especially if living in an apartment or townhouse. Smaller Poodles can be satisfied with a mix of walks and active games in a good sized garden. Diet and exercise need to be in balance to avoid weight issues. Avoid rigorous exercise in hot weather and immediately after meals. Dogs should have access to fresh water.

Height, size and longevity The Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC) recognizes only three sizes. These are: Standard 38cm (15 inches) and over at the top of the shoulder, and usually over 55cm (22 inches) at the shoulder; Miniature 28cm (11 inches) and under 38cm (15 inches); Toy under 28cm (11 inches). ‘Pocket Poodle’, ‘Teacup Poodle’ or ‘Royal Standard Poodle’ are not recognized in Australia. Toy poodle’s average life span is 12 years; miniature poodles can live up to 16 years, Standards being a larger dog usually has a shorter lifespan but can live up to 15yrs.

Colour confusion Colours according to the ANKC a Poodle can be any solid colour including black, white, cream, brown, silver, blue, and apricot. Some of these solid colours will have shade variants especially Browns, silvers, and apricot , however they must be solid colour, and show no miss mark colour in their coats. Mixed colour or parti-colour Poodles cannot be shown on full register, but can compete in Obedience, Agility and Rally-O on the limited register. Silver and Blue poodles are born jet black with tiny wisps of grayish tinged hair in pads of feet, over the first few weeks fading of the black wool to sho

show patches of grey indicates a silver or blue, it takes up to 3 years for the poodle to complete the colour change. Blues have a blue tinge to skin and often look brownish in the sun or strong light silvers grow black new growth wool in their coat which as it grows longer slowly fades to silver or grey, they also have a different texture to their coat and often remain ‘softer’ to touch then other colours with less curl.

Coat maintenance All Poodles require daily attention and regular brushing, bathing and trimming. Regular clipping (e.g. 6-week cycles) and a short pet or sporting trim can help to reduce the amount of work required. The coat must never be allowed to mat or tangle and care must be taken to keep the eyes, ears (inside and out), mouth, feet and anal area clean. Diet and products used in coat can influence overall colour, coat strength and density. Bitches going through season or in pup will often drop coat and a colour change happens when new coat grows through. With Browns, and apricots strong sunlight will bleach the coat. The Poodle coat changes to a harsher, denser quality at around 10-12 months of ag (Coat Change). During this period matting must be avoided in pet Poodles with daily brushing and by keeping the coat short. Show Poodles require frequent bathing, brushing and trimming during coat change. The adult plush quality coat lends itself to easy trimming. The true Poodle coat does not shed like other dogs and is said to be non-allergenic. These qualities (and others) can be lost by careless breeding and by cross breeding.

Are you the ideal Poodle owner? The ideal Poodle owner is a caring, sensible person who takes the responsibilities of owning a dog seriously and is willing to commit to regular grooming sessions. The Poodle owner must have the capacity to provide quality lifelong care including accommodation, coat care, feeding, exercise, training, health care (when required) and companionship. Poodles thrive on human companionship and do not do well if deprived of this companionship for extended periods of time on a regular basis.

TO THE SHOW WE GO

You have been to a dog show, or watched a program on Television such as the comedy “Best in Show” and you would like to have a go. First and most importantly is to secure the right dog not only for your family but also for the show ring.

To enter and compete in any show in Australia you must be a member of a state registered Dog club, in Queensland this is the Canine control council trading as DOGS QLD, currently the main office and contact point is now located at King Avenue Durack home of the Dog Sports grounds Ph. 0732522661 or email info@dogsqueensland.org.au. This is the major competition venue where on most weekends dog shows will be on the agenda. The website has various information including calendar of events and lists breed clubs. This can be found at www.dogsqueensland.org.au and also on face book. Membership also offers monthly magazines as well as other member privileges and connection with others who share the same passion for your chosen breed and all things dog.

As a member OR NON member you can attend some shows and talk to various owners/breeders and gain a much more informed idea of what to expect. The Poodle Club of QLD Inc. has a website with links to various breeders, groomers and other information the web address is http://www.poodleclubofqueenslandinc.com/ To find a reputable breeder contact the club and discuss what size poodle you want and you will be directed to those breeders with puppies available, this may take a while but if you want a show quality pup sometimes it takes time in the selection process. Research everything poodle along the way! Once you have your pup you should welcome any help and advice your breeder can give you, and attend shows early on once puppy is over 12 weeks of age they can be entered in class for variety or in beginner sweepstake events and open shows. The following is a brief outline of the show entry system –

OPEN shows – for all pedigree dogs on full register with both specialty breed days being offered during the year, as well as full breed shows, open shows are to allow beginning judges to gain experience and also for new exhibitors and dogs to also learn all about the show scene in a more relaxed environment. NO POINTS are awarded in open shows only recognition of a dog wins as in First or runner up etc.

CHAMPION ALL BREEDS or specialty breed (one breed only) shows are more formal with qualified judges and each handler and dog being run out in the ring for points towards their champion qualification (100 points needed) or higher awards such as Grand champion (1000 points) or Supreme champion (1000 points + 3 best in show placings or 10 Best in Group placings all under different judges),

There are also sweepstake events at some shows with various classes being offered such as Baby puppy or Puppy, neuter, veteran, brace event (2 dogs same breed, same handler on one lead), there are other classes offered occasionally such as for non-champion dogs. These events are more for fun or experience for young dogs and attract NO POINTS.

Dogs and bitches compete separately in their classes, and then overall winner runs off against opposite sex for overall BEST of Breed. They MUST be entire unless competing in the neuter class.

Classes are:

Baby puppy dog 1 Baby Puppy bitch 1a (for canines 3 months and under 6 months) no points.

Minor Puppy dog2 Minor Puppy bitch 2a (6 months and under 9 months) points awarded.

Puppy dog 3 Puppy Bitch 3a (6 months and under 12 months) points awarded.

Junior dog 4 Junior Bitch 4a (9 months and under 18 months) points awarded.

Intermediate Dog5 Intermediate Bitch 5a (18 months and up to 36 months) points awarded.

State Bred dog9 state Bred bitch 9a (over 6 months must have QLD registration from birth).

Australian bred Dog 10 Australian Bred Bitch 10a (over 6 months and whelped in Australia).

Open dog 11 Open Bitch 11a over 6 months any breed recognized by Australian National kennel council.

Neuter 18 dogs and bitches over 6 months of age who while still on the main register have been desexed for some reason but still worthy of showing. Champion and grand champion titles only available.

Veteran dogs12 and bitches 12a over 7yrs of age who still show and they must be run to challenge level.

So looking at a show catalogue especially relevant to Poodles or any other breeds that have different varieties within the breed(corgi / shepherds / dauchunds and others) you will see the variety in their sections, so for poodles it will show all the Standard size, followed by all the miniature, then all the toys. These 3 varieties will then be subdivided into their classes first all the dogs, then all the bitches. When judged the best dog or bitch in the different classes are awarded a place and only those gaining Best in the class then go out to compete against all the other of their variety to determine best overall Dog and Best overall bitch then comes the CHALLENGE to see who is awarded overall BEST of BREED and Reserve of Breed. When all dogs in Group 7 which is the group poodles in Australia are judged in are finished being awarded the Group specials are judged with the Best of Breed from each category running off against each other to determine which breed is Best in Group, runner up in Group, and then the class judging for best Open/Australian Bred/Junior/ Intermediate/ Puppy/ Minor and Baby Puppy in group is held. If the canine that wins BIG (Best in Group) is out of the open class then this class is not shown or awarded, If RUIG (runner up in group) is out of puppy class then this class is also knocked out of contention. When all the individual groups are finished the Best in show judging or General specials commences with same format every BIG goes through to general specials, as well as all the RUIG and all the class group winners.

There are currently 7 groups of dog breeds being shown, Group 1 Toy breeds, Group 2 Terriers, Grp 3 Gundogs, Grp 4 Hounds, Grp 5 Working dogs, Grp 6 Utility, Grp 7 Non Sporting. A full list of all the breeds and their respective standards is available at http://ankc.org.au/Breed/Index

The above is a very brief synopsis of show information, but anyone seriously wanting to begin showing a dog there are multiple online sites abounding with information just ensure you look at Australian sites, also visit local shows and become familiar first before you outlay a fortune on a dog or show equipment, the dog will still remain a loved quality pet either in the show ring, at home or doing other available dog sports, poodles excel at agility, obedience, Rally O, Dances with dogs, tracking and live to please their humans.

Some of the trims you may see at a show –

Puppy

Trim under 12 mths English Saddle Scandinavian Continental or Lion clip much more fullness more popular on curves accentuated standards