What were Miniature Poodles Bred for?

Miniature poodles came to light in the 18th century, in France and the AKC recognized this breed in 1887. The main purpose was to develop a cuddly companion dog. Promotion of this breed was done by French nobles, who kept them along as a symbol of royalty. Keep reading to know more about miniature poodles.

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Key Characteristics of Miniature Poodles

Some of the most important personality traits of miniature Poodles are discussed below.

Size

Miniature poodles come midway between Standard and Teacup Poodles in terms of size. A fully grown miniature poodle can get up to 11-15 inches tall and weigh around 15-17 pounds.

Appearance

By appearance miniature poodles seem to be very delicate and light-boned. These dogs have a round skull with a long muzzle, dangling ears, and dark almond-like eyes. They have a sleek loin, short legs, webbed feet, and docked tails.

The coat is sometimes curly, sometimes corded or ribbed. Unlike standard Poodles, miniature poodles only come in solid colors, like apricot, black, blue, brown, cream, and gray.  

Temperament

Miniature Poodles are loving, kindhearted, and intellectual. These dogs get along equally well with children and elders. They aren’t aggressive by nature, but they are prone to anxiety which can lead to destructive behavior. They are also extremely intelligent and learn things quickly but due to their stubborn confidence, they can be a bit hard to train.

As mini poodles are nervy by instinct, they might not behave well in front of guests, especially if they are strangers to them. Of course, this issue can be overcome by early socialization.

Exercise needs

Miniature Poodles have moderate exercise needs. AKC suggests 1 hour of daily exercise for mini-Poodles. It is also suggested to split up those 60 minutes into two 30 minutes or three 20 minutes sessions. Miniature Poodles love to play active games like fetching and running.

They love to dive in water because of their history as water retrievers. Hence, swimming can be an amazing physical activity for these pups.

Grooming needs

Grooming miniature Poodles require a lot of hard work. Their rough and curly hair are susceptible to matting. Brushing can become painful for them, if not done regularly. It is advisable to bathe your pooch with good quality shampoo and conditioner. This helps to keep the hair smooth and tangle-free.

Bathing once a month will be ample. It is also important to keep the hair length in check and get them trimmed when required.

Miniature poodles are also prone to the issue of tear strains under the eyes. It can be dealt with by cleaning using a wipe and tear stain remover. Trimming of hair in the ear canal is also one aspect of Mini Poodle’s grooming. Last but not the least, nail trimming should also be ensured to avoid any problems related to overgrown nails.

Diet

Being an owner, it’s your task to determine how much food your pup should be fed. This depends on the weight and activity of your pup. An average miniature poodle weigh around 15-17 pounds and will need 1 cup of high-quality dry kibble per day. This quantity should be a little less if your dog is less active.

Many options are available in the market and you need to consider the nutritional requirements of your poodle to make the right choice.

Health

Miniature Poodles are healthier than their teacup cousins but less healthy than Standard Poodles. As suggested by experts, Miniature Poodles are predisposed to several health concerns, like hip dysplasia, eye problems (including Glaucoma and Cataract), and musculoskeletal issues, including the luxating patella. They are also prone to Von Willebrand’s Disease and Legg-Calve-Perthes.

Miniature poodles can also suffer from dental issues. Accumulation of tartar can give birth to alarming tooth conditions like infection, tooth loss, and organ damage. It’s crucial to get your dog’s teeth clean either by yourself or by your vet. Furthermore, you should also ensure scheduled visits to the vet for keeping your dog’s health in check.  

Lifespan

Miniature poodles generally live longer lives (10-18 years) if you take good care of their health.

Who Should Get a Miniature Poodle?

Miniature poodles are loving and intelligent dogs, but they are stubborn as well. This means that you should be strong-minded and experienced (not a first-time owner) to own a miniature Poodle. Poodles are blessed with a hypoallergenic coat and won’t trigger your allergies.

The small size of this breed makes them suitable for you if you live in an apartment or cottage. Mini poodles require a lot of interaction with their pack as they are prone to separation anxiety. If you have a working family with hectic routines, you shouldn’t opt for them.

Interesting Facts about Miniature Poodles

Here are the top 5 interesting facts regarding mini poodles.

Their coat is not actually for fashion – The lion clip of Mini-poodles helps them in swimming. The shaved portion makes them more streamlined while pom-poms left on joints and vital organs protect against cold.

Their Fur keeps growing – Mini poodles’ fur is just like humans’ hair. They keep growing and don’t shed (if there is no health and age factor). That’s why you must get their fur trimmed timely.

They were circus performers – Miniature poodles originated in France and became the pride of circuses there. This was due to their intelligence and quick learning ability.

They are excellent service dogs – They are employed as assistance dogs and guide dogs for an individual with physical disabilities.

They are hyper-intelligent – It is quite an amazing quality of miniature poodles that they can closely observe humans and can sometimes even act like us.