Poodle (Miniature) breed guide

Poodles are extremely intelligent and easily trained, agile and graceful as well as smart. AKC says they enjoy and excel in agility, obedience and tracking.

Most are excellent water retrievers and also compete in dock diving and retriever hunt tests.

Miniature Poodles live 10 to 18 years, a range AKC applies to all three sizes. Dedicated breeders routinely test breeding dogs for hip dysplasia, eye disorders, epilepsy, sebaceous adenitis, von Willebrand's disease and immune-mediated disorders.

Two orthopedic problems, Legg-Calve-Perthes and luxating patellas, are more likely in Toy Poodle and Miniature Poodles than in Standard Poodles.

Unless a Miniature stays in a short clip, you must learn to brush it daily to keep the coat from matting and brushing and combing completely to the skin is essential or the hair mats near the roots and must be shaved off. Most pet owners opt for the simpler Sporting clip over the show ring's elaborate Continental clip.

Poodles of any size are very active and need good exercise every day to suit a high energy level. Swimming is great exercise and the retrieving impulse means tossing a toy works well.

The Poodle is the national dog of France, which calls it the Caniche or duck dog, but AKC says there is no such breed as the French Poodle: the Poodle began as a duck hunter in Germany.

The Miniature and the Toy Poodle share the heritage of the Standard Poodle, which began development as a retrieving water dog more than 400 years ago.