Poodles are easy to care for and should naturally become a member of the family. Because poodles are so easy to care and integrate so naturally into the family as an adoptive parent you should take care not to over indulge them with treats and goodies as they can easily become overweight.

Many poodles live a comparatively long life, with the smaller poodles reaching as much as 17 years of age, while the standards tend to live for 12 to 14 years.

Poodles find it hard to live outdoors and they are not good kennel dogs.

They like to be in the company of humans. As much as possible, this breed has to be around their family human and otherwise. For this reason socialization should begin early and include other people, pets and the grooming routine. These dogs are exceptional jumpers, so be careful with your yard fencing!

Poodles are very energetic and as a result they need to receive adequate physical activity and mental stimulation in order to keep them healthy and fit. As a poodle companion daily walks and play such as fetch and swimming should be part of your routine because poodles love to run and jump.

As an adoptive parent you should be able to provide a fenced-in area in where your Poodle can exercise or, as mentioned above be prepared to walk the Poodle regularly on a leash. The danger in letting your poodles roam is that it could be stolen or killed.

Poodles are not finicky eaters, unless made so by indulgent owners. They thrive on simple, prepared dog foods. We recommend a nutritious, organic brand if you are not preparing your own.

Poodles love to be pampered!

Poodles require regular clipping and grooming; a dexterous owner can readily learn how to groom his own dog or he can take the Poodle to a professional grooming shop.

Poodles, more than other breeds, do require a little more time and effort to keep them well groomed. They need to be brushed every few days to keep their coats free from tangles and matting, and a bath every couple of weeks is recommended. Depending on the style of clip you prefer, your poodle will need to be clipped every 4-6 weeks. You can learn to do this yourself or you can use a professional groomer. Also, their ears should be kept clean and dry which will prevent different forms of infection.

Your poodle’s hair could be one of the 10 different colors and range in texture from wavy to soft, wooly to coarse. Poodles are also unique in that the type of hair so they rarely shed.

* A note on Poodle “hair” and other breeds “fur.” There has been wide spread rumor that poodles have “hair” while other breeds have “fur;” this is a misnomer.

Scientific American writer Kate Wong, who interviewed mammalogist Nancy Simmons of the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, asked Simmons the question about the difference between hair and fur and Simmons responded, “There isn’t. Hair and fur are the same thing.” Read the article here…

Poodles have been elaborately groomed since the 1600s. Styles range from a puppy cut to the famous Continental Clip.

General Grooming

The poodle’s coat has two layers, a wiry outer hair and a dense, softer undercoat. * Note; There is disagreement as to whether there are really two distinct layers of hair. We have chosen to accept that there are two layers for ease of explaining the grooming process. The two layers easily become matted, and this can create an especially challenging situation when your poodle comes into contact with sticky substances like mud or tree sap. Most professional groomers strongly recommend daily brushing and combing, and a regular grooming routine. If you develop this as a routine early on it can be a pleasant break for you and your poodle.

Because grooming is such an essential and important part of proper poodle care, professional groomers will begin to familiarize puppies with the grooming process as early as six weeks of age. Today, for different reasons, many poodle parents and dog owners in general, are choosing not to use professional grooming services and opting for in-home grooming and hair care. If you’re planning the do-it-yourself approach, here are a few of the grooming essentials:

Brushes:

You’ll need to purchase two types. A “Slicker Brush” which has short, thin wire teeth that are used to remove dead hair, tangles, and debris from the undercoat. The second is a “Bristle Brush” which is equipped with longer wire teeth which penetrates the curly outer hairs.

Electric Clippers:

A good investment is a high quality clipper with a variety of blade sizes, which will help minimize pulling and ensure clipping efficiency and effectiveness. It’s also a good idea to start slowly and early on to let your poodle to get used to the sound of the clippers; this will make future grooming sessions pleasant and stress free.

Scissors:

Scissors are used for cutting out the heavier mating, as well as precisely trimming around the sensitive areas near the ears, eyes, and tail.

You’ll also need to use a gentle shampoo, one that is a tangle-free conditioner which will help minimize matting. And, unless you plan on becoming a professional groomer, keep your cutting style simple—a puppy or lamb cut are often the easiest for Poodle owners to do at home.

For more on types and styles of grooming see Pop Culture - Appearance & Grooming.