While there are some trendy dog mixes out there that are all the rage—I’m looking at you Puggle and Pomskie—if you’re looking for a family pet that’s obedient, easy to train, active, smart, and has a calming presence, consider adopting a miniature poodle. (Or, if you do opt for one from a breeder, please make sure everything is legal and legit.)
During a time when original dog breeds that have been around for generations tend to get overlooked in favor of a “hot new mixed breed”, miniature poodles tend to get overlooked; or have a reputation for being prissy and fancy—which isn’t quite true, although yes, some people do breed standard poodles to be award-winning showdogs with fancy fur-do’s.
However, miniature poodles breed in a variety of colors, and their adorable, wavy fur are one-of-a-kind. They really stand out!
Here are 5 reasons (of many!) why you should bring a miniature poodle into your home:
They’re hunters with an interesting history. Pet experts believe the breed originated over 400 years ago in Germany as duck-hunters; with Miniature poodles becoming popular in the USA within the last century. It’s actually the Standard Poodle that over time became affiliated with nobility in Germany and France. That’s why the standard poodle became more of an indoor competition “show dog” than outside, more rugged pooch.
Personality. The “Hollywood star” of dogs, miniature poodles just love being the center of attention. Don’t be surprised if they get extra playful when they see you because they know you shower them with kisses and playtime. They are friendly around strangers, great with kids (they have been described as kids themselves!) but also cautious due to their hunting instinct, and love when you gush over them, making them jumpy and extra mushy when praised. Some vets and pet experts praise them for their bark, which is not too loud or too soft--meaning they can be protective and fierce with their ‘voice’ when needed without being overwhelming. Despite their smaller size—Miniature poodles grow to approximately 11 to 15 inches; weighing 10 to 15 lbs on average—they carry themselves larger than they really are with confidence.
They have a cool look. An awesome physical trait of Miniature poodles is that they have so many unique looks. No two are identical and that can’t be said of all breeds. They usually have curly hair, some have cords of different lengths, longer on the ears. Their hair grows fast and knots and mats easily, so be sure to keep your Miniature poodle trimmed and clean. Their skin shades can make them look tan, black, brown, apricot, and even blue-ish, which is part of their appeal, they don’t just breed in pure white. They have very dark, big, round eyes with muscular legs and a toned, trim body.
Easy to train. Poodles are intelligent. According to Dog World, Miniature poodles learn new tricks with ease, especially if they’re praised often. It’s best to enroll them in obedience classes as soon as possible to prevent them from being too hyper or too jumpy.
Time commitment. They do need regular exercise and some outside TLC, and love retrieving. Fetch is probably their favorite game to play with humans, so stock up on smaller toys for them such as balls and frisbees. Remember—Miniature poodles are excellent swimmers, so consider setting up a mini pool in the yard for them to splash around the water, or bring them to a little pond where they can frolic. Don’t panic if you don’t have a backyard per se. They can indeed thrive in an apartment--just set up a section in your smaller home for them to run around during occasional feisty moments and make sure they maintain their daily walks.
