Miniature Poodle

Personality

Forget the pampered lapdog, the AKC says: the Poodle was bred as a water retriever and is extremely smart and very active. The breed standard describes a proud, elegant, intelligent dog. The AKC rates the Miniature 5 of 5 with young children and with strangers, 3 of 5 with other dogs, and 4 of 5 for barking, so expect a dog that has opinions and voices them.

Exercise

Poodles of every size need good exercise every day, according to the AKC. Most love to swim, and their urge to retrieve makes fetch a good workout for body and mind; they also enjoy jogs and long walks. The AKC rates the Mini 4 of 5 for energy and 5 of 5 for mental stimulation. VCA notes that the small body is vulnerable to cold, so a coat helps on cold walks.

Grooming

Unless you keep your Poodle in a short trim, you will need to brush it daily, all the way to the skin, the AKC says, or the coat mats near the roots and has to be shaved off. Most pet owners choose a shorter trim, either doing it themselves or visiting a groomer every four to six weeks for a bath, clip and nail trim. The AKC calls the relatively non-shedding coat a good choice for people with allergies.

Health: what to know

• Kneecaps. The AKC says luxating patellas (kneecaps that slip out of place) are more likely in Toy and Miniature Poodles than in Standards, and the Poodle Club of America asks for a vet’s patella evaluation at one year or older. VCA lists skipping or kicking a back leg out as typical signs.
• Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease. This hip condition, in which the blood supply to the top of the thigh bone is interrupted, is also more likely in Toy and Miniature Poodles, the AKC says, and the Poodle Club of America lists it as a breed concern. VCA describes a slowly worsening limp in a back leg in a young dog.
• Eyes. The AKC lists progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and cataracts among the problems diagnosed in all three Poodle sizes. The Poodle Club of America asks for a PRA-prcd DNA test and a yearly exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist. VCA notes that night blindness is usually the first sign of PRA.
• Hips and other inherited conditions. All three sizes have been diagnosed with hip dysplasia, epilepsy, von Willebrand’s disease and immune-mediated thyroid and adrenal disorders, the AKC says, and the Poodle Club of America asks for an OFA or PennHIP hip evaluation and lists Addison’s disease, Cushing’s disease and epilepsy among its concerns.

Training

Poodles are extremely intelligent and easy to train, says the AKC, and they excel at agility, obedience, tracking and even dock diving. Keep sessions fun and positive and be consistent about what you ask. VCA counts the Mini among the easiest dogs to train.

Is this breed right for you?