Many people have misconceptions about Poodles -- that they look and act like "sissy" dogs. That is one of the biggest myths in dogdom. First, ignore the silly show-ring clips. Poodles can be clipped to look like normal dogs. Look at the Miniature Poodle in the photo -- that's my dog, Buffy. It takes me 15 minutes every 6 weeks to run over her coat with a handheld clipper and turn her into a shorthaired, normal-looking dog who is a snap to brush. (Poodles also have the advantage of being the lightest-shedding, most hypoallergenic of all coated breeds.) Second, Miniature Poodles are miniature athletes. They excel in advanced obedience competition, where retrieving and jumping skills are required, and in agility (obstacle course) competitions, where they fly over and under and through the obstacles with a strength and grace that is breathtaking to watch. I do need to mention the two different builds, though. The correct build for the breed is "square", which means their legs are long enough that their height is approximately equal to their length.

These Miniature Poodles are both elegant and athletic, moving with a light, springy gait. Other Miniature Poodles are built lower to the ground, with short legs and a long back -- these dogs have inherited a physical deformity called chondrodysplasia. They don't have the same elegance or agility as square Miniature Poodles and they are more susceptible to disk disease. But whatever the build, a good Miniature Poodle is one of the smartest and most trainable of all breeds. He is a "thinking" dog who pays rapt attention to his owner, learns quickly, and responds eagerly to positive training methods. Indeed, Miniature Poodles NEED some sort of mental stimulation in order to be happy, even if it's just challenging games such as hide 'n seek, or fetching a variety of named toys. This intelligent breed cannot simply sit in the backyard and be ignored. Most Miniature Poodles make great watchdogs -- they will bark sharply at the door and they tend to be reserved (though polite and non-aggressive) with strangers.

But there are also individuals like my dog Buffy, "who never met a stranger." With other dogs and cats, Miniature Poodles are peaceful and accepting. However, this breed is by no means perfect. Besides the regular clipping, they do need daily exercise, as they are lively dogs. And they do need a lot of daily companionship. They suffer from loneliness and separation anxiety if left alone too much. Poodles also learn "patterns" so quickly that they tend to anticipate everything you're going to do next, which can be disconcerting. Homes For Sale On Pittsburgh Ave Erie PaThey expect their routines to always be the same, and they can get flustered if you change things.Yorkie Puppies For Sale 300 Dollars Or Less Poodles are "soft" and sensitive dogs, sometimes hypersensitive. Are Aluminum Blinds Better Than Vinyl

If you touch them unexpectedly or startle them with a sudden loud sound, they tend to flinch. The most sensitive individuals are not good with small children. Similarly, Miniature Poodles can get emotionally upset if there's too much activity or conflict or roughhousing in your household -- they prefer peace and harmony. You do have to watch your lines: some Miniature Poodle lines are too high-strung and nervous, and this is where you'll find those neurotic Poodles that people scoff at. But much also depends on socialization and training -- i.e., when brought out to experience the world and treated like an intelligent, capable fellow, he is likely to live up to these expectations. Is conveniently-sized, light and graceful, athletic and agile Has a short curly coat that is virtually non-shedding (the best coated breed for allergy sufferers) Comes in a variety of colors Is lively and playful Is one of the brightest and most attentive of all breeds, such a skilled reader of body language and expression, that he often appears telepathic

Is easy to train and housebreak Is usually polite with strangers and sociable with other animals A Miniature Poodle may be right for you. A careful search to avoid the high-strung lines Timidity or skittishness when not socialized enough Emotional sensitivity to stress, tension, and loud voices Clipping the curly coat every six weeks A Miniature Poodle may not be right for you. But you can avoid or minimize some negative traits by choosing the RIGHT breeder and the RIGHT puppy or choosing an ADULT dog from your animal shelter or rescue group – a dog who has already proven that he doesn't have negative traits training your dog to respect you avoiding health problems by following my daily care program in 11 Things You Must Do Right To Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy If I was considering a Miniature Poodle, I would be most concerned about... To learn more about training Miniature Poodles to be calm and well-behaved, consider my dog training book,

It's a unique Vocabulary and Respect Training Program that will make your Miniature Poodle the smartest, most well-behaved companion you've ever had. Teaches your dog to listen to you, to pay attention to you, and to do whatever you ask him to do. My dog buying guide, , will teach you everything you need to know about finding a healthy Miniature Poodle puppy. Health problems have become so widespread in dogs today that this book is required reading for ANYONE who is thinking of getting a purebred, crossbred, or mixed breed dog. If you'd like to consult with me personally about whether the Miniature Poodle might be a good dog breed for your family, I offer a Dog Breed Consulting Service. Once you have your Miniature Poodle home, you need to KEEP him healthy -- or if he's having any current health problems, you need to get him back on the road to good health. My dog health care book, is the book you need. Raise your dog the right way and you will be helping him live a longer, healthier life while avoiding health problems and unnecessary veterinary expenses.