Oodles of Poodles!

 

Oodles of Poodles!

The Standard Poodle, the national dog of France, is a “Gun Dog”. They come in Standard, Miniature, and Toy sizes. Their history begins in Germany as duck hunters. Their coat supports them against the environment’s natural elements and assists in swimming. The Standard Poodle is an active and intelligent dog. So what happens when we mix these dogs with other breeds?

When breeding dogs it’s important to maximize the animals’ welfare and well-being, which minimizes the chances of developing different diseases or conditions.

There are many “designer” Poodle mixes. But let’s be clear, it’s simply a mixed-breed dog. Don’t get caught up in the marketing hype.

If we mix a Poodle with a Lab, we get a Labradoodle. Old English Sheepdog and Poodle? Sheepadoodle. A Westie and Poodle? The Westiepoo! How bout an Australian Shepherd and Poodle? The Aussiedoodle! The list goes on and on.

When we consider the genetics and breeding history of our dogs we gain a deeper understanding of their potential expressions. While all dogs within a group are not the same, there are consistent breed-typical findings.

Some complications of the Poodle include:

Poodles and their mixes can develop generalized anxiety and stranger danger. We can aid our dog’s confidence levels by maximizing the imprinting and socialization windows of development. In the following years of life, we can continue to promote safe positive experiences for our dogs in the world.

Poodles and their mixes can also be hypersensitized to the touch. This is problematic given the Poodle’s coat requires ongoing maintenance. Conflict with other breed coat patterns further worsens this in some cases.

Due to their predisposition to touch sensitivity, it’s recommended you start the conditioning process early, getting your dog used to being handled (especially around the paws) and to the grooming tools, including clippers and sounds of the vacuum. It’s also important to remember, that if you are grooming your dog yourself, you can spread it out over a few days! If you are working with a groomer, look for one who’s certified as “Fear Free”.

Fear Free Groomer Certification Program: https://fearfreepets.com/fear-free-groomer-certification.../

Poodle mixes, like many dogs, don’t do well with isolation. Bred to work by our side for generations, they are now stuck inside for hours at a time. This can lead to problematic behaviors.

The Poodles’ history of retrieving, possessing, and parading around with their prized duck is strong and present in some genetic lines. These working line dogs are more likely to display resource guarding behaviors. Training during puppyhood can minimize these unwanted behaviors by practicing exchanging items and developing a strong “drop it” or “leave it” signal.

The Poodles’ coat is fluffy, to say the least! While this is super cute, it makes interpreting body language much more difficult. This can lead dogs to increase their intensity to communicate their feelings more quickly. This can include snapping, particularly toward children who are not complying with the request for space. Understanding and promoting respect for dogs and their communication is key!

Free Body Language Course (Bravo Dog Training): https://www.bravodog.ca/bodylanguagecourse

As with every dog, some potential medical diseases or conditions can arise. Common medical problems Include:

• Luxating Patella (Dislocated kneecaps)
• PRA (inherited eye disease leading to blindness)
• Epilepsy
• Gastric Dilation Volvulus (Stomach distension)
• Hip dysplasia (hip socket problem)
• IVDD - Intervertebral Disc Disease (degenerative disease)
• Others include Cardiomyopathy, Cushing’s syndrome, Addison’s disease, hypothyroidism, cataracts, and more.

While this list has some serious conditions, we can promote the practice of proper puppy breeding and support the breeders who screen for these diseases within their litter. Do not purchase from backyard breeders. These cute fluffy pups are an easy sell to the unknowing Pawrent!

There are other things we can do to maximize your dog’s welfare and well-being such as ensuring natural species-typical needs are being met.

Have any questions or want to learn more about a topic? Comment or write me a message!

https://trainwithben.ca/

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Work Cited:

Poodle dog breed information. American Kennel Club. (n.d.). https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/poodle-standard/

Understanding and supporting Doodle Mixes with Victoria Cooper: Facebook. (n.d.-a). https://www.facebook.com/andrew.../videos/427435613244150...