Soon after I started dating Gene in 1974, I bought my sweet little white Poodle, Muffin. Sadly, when we married the apartment we lived in for 2 years did not allow pets. So Muffin became my parent's dog. She was spoiled rotten by them. Even though I didn't live long with her full time, Muffin always knew she was mine. My mother said when they started talking about me coming home for a visit that she would run to the door barking every time she heard a car, anticipating my arrival. Muffin had a pillow in a chair that slept on, except when I came to visit. She had slept with me before I was married and when I came to visit she slept with me again.
Poodles are just fun little dogs. A poodle is highly intelligent and can make decisions, almost like humans. Poodles have a sweet , playful, high energy personality and they are very responsive. Both Toy and Miniature Poodles can be quite jumpy and excitable. Miniature poodles are not as high strung as the Toy variety. The miniature Poodle is very is energetic and spirited. A poodle tests your ability to be firm when training.
Poodles have the typical puppy problems of chewing, jumping and such but because of their intelligence these problems are quickly solved with proper handling. You train a Poodle with praise, not punishment.
I have a memory of a lady in Belton when I was growing up that had white poodles and she kept them dyed different colors. My Dad never allowed us to dye Muffin's coat. He thought it was enough the we kept her toenails polished. :) She loved being groomed and strutted around like a princess when she came home from the groomers smelling all nice, with little bows in her hair.
I can honestly say that poodles make great pets. One funny story is when we had gone to the lake just a few days after Muffin had been groomed and I was so proud for everyone to see what a beautiful little girl she was. But she was a dog. There had been horses in the park. Need I say more? She was given a bath in the lake and wrapped in a towel and rode home on my Mom's lap who complained all the way about the smell of horse of manure. Of course, she was immediately bathed when we reached home!! Knowing my mother's appreciation for cleanliness makes this story even funnier.
Breed standard for poodles:
SIZE
The Miniature Poodle is 11 to 15 inches tall. The Toy Poodle is 10 inches or less from the withers (shoulder).
HEAD
The skull is moderately rounded with a slight but definite stop. The muzzle is long, staight and fine, with slight chiseling under the eyes. The oval-shaped, dark eyes are set far enough apart and positioned to ceate an alert expression. Ears hang close to the head, set at or slightly below eye level.
BODY
The chest is deep and moderately wide with well-sprung ribs. The neck is well-porportioned, strong and long enough to allow the head to be carried high and with dignity. The topline is level from the highest point of the bhouldre blade to the base of the tail.
COLORS
The Poodle's coat color may be any solid color, including white, black, brown, cream, sliver, cafe-au-lait, blue gray or apricot.
COAT
The coat is profuse, harsh and composed of thick, close curls.
(Copied in part from AKC Poodle Breed Standard)
Please go to the Tab Muffin and BoKitty and see their beautiful little family.