The small poodle is a bright four-legged friend who does not leave your side. With his charm and unintentional comedy, he will amaze and laugh at you. Whether at shows, in dog sports or as a therapy dog at school – the extraordinarily intelligent small poodle moves confidently and in a good mood on every floor.

ProfileSmall Poodle

Eager hunter and real water rat

The origin of the poodle could never be clarified exactly: It probably originally comes from France, where it is called “Caniche”. The breed was mainly used to hunt ducks. Duck is called “canard” in French. The French water dog is considered a direct ancestor, with whom it shares its passion for water of all kinds.

But poodles were not only popular with hunters: In the 17th century, the smart four-legged friends conquered the hearts of the nobility and became more and more companion dogs. Extremely docile and agile, they later also appeared in circus circus rings and thrilled the audience with all kinds of tricks. In 1936, the large and small poodles were recognized as dog breeds by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI). Today, there are two other representatives of their species: the miniature poodle and the toy poodle. The small poodle is the second largest poodle with a size of up to 45 centimeters.

The character of the small poodle

Always in a good mood, charming and very enterprising – this is how the small poodle shows itself in everyday life. With above-average intelligence and a loyal look, he quickly wraps his caregivers around his finger. In addition, he is reluctant to leave your side. He would love to play, go for a walk and be scratched all day. And he often demands this attention and nudges you with his nose, eagerly accompanying you on a walk, jog or slow cycling. As an ideal playmate for children, he is incredibly affectionate and yet has a mind of his own.

Education and keeping of the small poodle

The small poodle is a sporty dog and needs a lot of exercise: Extensive walks in nature are a must. But it is also made for dog sports such as agility or dog dancing. You can mentally challenge and promote the four-legged friend with little dog tricks.

A hunting instinct is still present, but it is usually not strong and can be well controlled with consistent training. Poodles like to retrieve and can rarely resist a bath in the cool water. If the small poodle is socialized early on – for example in a puppy school or on dog meadows – it quickly learns how to treat strangers and other poodles with respect. Thanks to its manageable size, the poodle is easy to take with you everywhere.

Caring for the small poodle

The care of the beautiful coat is quite complex: At least once a week you should brush and comb the hair thoroughly, because loose hair usually simply gets stuck in the fur. Regular shearing every six to eight weeks is necessary for this breed. The good news: The small poodle loses very little hair.

Special features of the small poodle

Poodles are prone to genetic eye diseases such as cataracts or PRA (progressive retinal atrophy), both of which can lead to complete vision loss. Responsible breeders exclude affected animals from breeding. Therefore, only contact breeders recommended by the VDH (Association for the German Canine Society).

Get to know other poodles and poodle mixes here:

• Cockapoo: As a cross between a cocker spaniel and a poodle, the Cockapoo (also: Cockerdoodle and Cockerpoo) ideally combines the best characteristics of both breeds.
• Schnoodle: The Schnoodle, a mix of Schnauzer and Poodle, is one of the most popular designer dogs. Which breed dominates is individual – so there is always a little “surprise package” in your Schnoodle.
• Goldendoodle: The good-natured Goldendoodle is one of the hybrid dog breeds. It is created from the cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle – hence the characteristic teddy look.
• Labradoodle: The kindness of the Labrador combined with the non-shedding fur of the intelligent poodle – a Labradoodle accompanies you with a little education as a wonderful family dog in everyday life.
• Maltipoo: The Maltipoo combines the kindness of the Maltese with the intelligence of the poodle. The mixture results in an attentive, cheerful and playful family dog that is easy to train and lead in everyday life.