Poodles are some of America's favorite dogs — and Miniature Poodles seem to be folks' favorite! Their name comes from the German word for “puddle” — they were originally bred as water retrievers. That traditional puffy styling was meant to keep their joints warmer while they were fetching their prey from the water. These days, Poodles are more likely to be companions than hunters, however.
Because they don't produce much dander and shed infrequently, Poodles have been crossbred to create more kinds of dogs that are less aggravating to allergy sufferers. These include the Cockapoo (Cocker Spaniel + Poodle), the Labradoodle (Labrador Retriever + Poodle), and the Whoodle (Wheaten Terrier + Poodle).
Originally from Central Europe and Germany, this small-sized breed can grow to between 10-15 pounds and lives an average of 10-18 years. The breed is recognized by the American Kennel Club and classified as a member of the Non-Sporting group.
| AKC Recognized | Y |
| Breed's original pastime | Companion |
| Origin | Yugoslavia |
| Breed group | Non-Sporting |
| Average lifespan | 12-14 years |
| Size | Large |
| Bark factor | Moderate |
| AKC Ranking | 80 |
| Family | Scenthound, pointer |
| Date of origin | 1500s |
| Original function | Water retrieving |
| Today's function | Companion |
| Average size of male | Height: 10-15 Weight: 12-18 |
| Average size of female | Height: 10-15 Weight: 12-18 |
| Other name | Barbone, caniche |
| Energy level | High energy |
| Exercise needs | Medium |
| Playfullness | Very playful |
| Affection level | Very affectionate |
| Friendliness toward other dogs | Very Friendly |
| Friendliness toward other pets | Friendly |
| Friendliness toward strangers | Very Friendly |
| Ease of training | Hard to train |
| Watchdog ability | High |
| Protection ability | Moderately protective |
| Grooming needs | High maintenance |
| Cold tolerance | Medium tolerance |
| Heat tolerance | Medium tolerance |
BEHAVIOR & TRAINING
WHAT IS A MINIATURE POODLE'S PERSONALITY LIKE?
Miniature Poodles are every bit as smart and obedient as their standard-sized cousins, but they tend to be livelier, friendlier, and more playful. They can be sensitive, and will often bond with one special member of their chosen family. They're great with kids and play well with other supervised dogs.
WHAT IS MINIATURE POODLE BEHAVIOR LIKE?
This is a very active breed. Poodles love to run, walk, or swim — preferably with you by their side. These dogs want to be on the go.
HOW EASY IS IT TO TRAIN A MINIATURE POODLE?
This breed is very amenable to training. Poodles are extremely intelligent and eager to please. Their smarts and amenability make them ideal candidates for social therapy, seeing eye, and service work. These dogs excel in obedience, agility, hunting, and tracking.
CARE & HEALTH
HOW MUCH DO MINIATURE POODLES SHED AND WHAT ARE THEIR GROOMING NEEDS?
A Miniature Poodle's hair doesn't shed much. If you bring a Poodle home, though, you're going to be very good friends with your dog groomer. This breed requires clipping at least every other month. You'll also spend a lot of time brushing her hair to prevent mats and tangles.
WHAT HEALTH PROBLEMS DO MINIATURE POODLES HAVE?
As a breed, Poodles are generally healthy. Some are prone to eye ailments, hip dysplasia, epilepsy, skin disease, blood clotting disorders, and thyroid or adrenal gland issues.
Miniature and Toy Poodles are also susceptible to orthopedic problems, including slipping kneecaps and circulation disorders.
