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Description: Well proportioned and squarely built, the Miniature Poodle was bred down from the Standard Poodle. They are an intelligent breed with a sporty disposition and are very easy to train. Miniature Poodles are delightful, good natured, and lively dogs. The Poodle makes an excellent family pet who will adapt to any situation and will try anything an owner wants. Miniature Poodles are very trainable and efficient to the owner who wants an obedient dog. They are affectionate with their family, a little wary with strangers, but still accepting of them. They love to be around family and friends, and should not be left alone for long periods of time. Miniature Poodles are slightly more sensitive than the Standard Poodle, but still get along well with other animals and children. They have had clownish cuts in the past, in which the owners were allowed to carve any design they wanted into the fur. Today the breed has the standard poodle cut, but if they aren't being shown they can simply be trimmed down. They are in between the sizes of the Standard Poodle and the Toy Poodle. They are thought to be extremely intelligent and very obedient. They come in any solid color, and have very curly, thick fur. Poodles have natural drop ears and a puff of fur on top of the head. Spirited and lively, the Poodle is an energetic and happy breed.

Other Names: Barbone, Caniche (from chien canard, meaning "duck dog"), Pudle

Type: Companion Dog

Height: 11 - 15 inches.
Weight: 15 -17 lbs.

Colors: They come in all solid colors.
Coat: Very profuse, curly and dense with a good harsh texture.

Temperament: Miniature Poodles are intelligent, lively, quick to mimic and learn. They are highly intelligent and very obedient. Miniature Poodles love to be around humans and are not good for kenneling. They are good with other pets and children, but wary with strangers, although they do warm up to them. They are friendly and affectionate, and are slightly more sensitive than their Standard siblings. Minis have a spring in their step and are well-mannered dogs.
With Children: Yes, if children are older.
With Pets: Yes, they get along with other pets.

Watch-dog: Very High. They are a very alert breed.
Guard-dog: Medium - Low. They are wary with strangers but usually warm up to them.

Care and Exercise: Frequent trimming, brushing and shampooing of the coat. Ears must be kept very clean. Nails trimmed short and teeth brushed weekly. Miniature Poodles enjoy outdoor exercise but will take indoor play. They makes a great jogging partner, and are a good size for a person looking for a lower-maintenance, yet not too small breed.
Training: Miniature Poodles are intelligent dogs who learn quickly if handled properly. Gentle and consistent training are the best method. They learn very quickly.
Learning Rate: Very High. Miniature Poodles are very intelligent dogs. Obedience - Very High. Problem Solving - Very High.

Activity: Medium.
Special Needs: Attention, grooming, protection from predators or rough play, socialization, some exercise and training.
Living Environment: An apartment is adequate as long as some form of exercise is given. An owner of a Miniature Poodle should want an intelligent, happy, energetic dog. The best owner for this breed would be any family or individual living in an apartment or suburban home.

Health Issues: Mini Poodles are generally a healthy breed. Due to their popularity and size, however, some Miniature Poodles have inherited disorders. Some health concerns include stifle problems, PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy), junior cataracts, skin problems, Addison's disease, Cushing's disease, hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, Legg-Perthes disease, luxating patellas, von Willebrand's disease, epilepsy and bloat. Bloat is a health issue common to most dogs, being the largest killer of dogs second to cancer. Bloat is also referred to as gastric torsion or twisted stomach.

Life Span: 14 - 16 years.
Litter Size: 3 - 8 puppies.

Country of Origin: France
History: Miniature Poodles are believed to have originated in either Germany or Russia where the standard poodle was used foremost as a water retriever. The word poodle comes from the German pudelin for the splash made by an oar hitting water. Another name for the Poodle is Chien Canard, which means "duck dog". They share common ancestors with the Irish Water Spaniel, and were originally used as a gundog and retriever. Their original purpose hardly goes in line with what they are used for today: shows. Poodles have become the iconic breed of dog shows to most people. France is where the Miniature was bred down in size. The Miniature and the Standard have both been found in seventeenth century paintings, and are known to have been popular with European aristocracy. Louis XVI owned a Poodle, as well as Queen Anne of England. In the 18th and 19th centuries the breed performed in numerous circuses, and known as a circus breed. In one circus a Poodle named "Domini" was thought to be able to tell time and play dominos. Poodles were also used to seek out truffles, an edible fungus. The Miniature Poodle made its way to America in the late 19th century, but was not a popular breed until after World War II. After which, however, the Miniature became one of the most popular dog breeds during the 1950s and 60s. The breed was accepted by the AKC in 1887. They are still the most popular Poodle. Originally the "Poodle cut" haircut was for a specific and legitimate reason: it was kept long around the joints and organs for when the dog went splashing into cold water, and kept short on the rest of the body for speed and agility. Later, however, the coat turned into a ridiculously silly ornament on the dog's body. At one time people clipped their dogs to have a coat of arms in the fur, beards, moustaches and anything the owner wanted. Today the breed does not have such a silly cut as before, but still quite different from the rest.

First Registered by the AKC: 1887
AKC Group: Non-Sporting Group
Class: Non-Sporting
Registries: AKC, ANKC, CKC, FCI (Group 9), KC(GB), UKC