March 7, 2012
Posted in Pet Meds, Pet Supplies, Pet Training

Miniature poodles may be small, but the reasons to buy or adopt one of these pooches are practically unlimited. These curly-haired pooches stand less than 20 inches high at the shoulder, making them perfect apartment dogs and great for first-time dog owners.

Despite their physical size, there is truly nothing small about miniature poodles. Their intelligence is among the highest levels in all dog breeds, making them incredibly trainable. They also love learning new tricks. But it's not all business for these pooches. They are also playful, active and tend to be extremely loyal to one owner. They make good watch dogs, but may need to be trained not to bark excessively.

Because their curly hair will grow continuously, poodles of all sizes need regular grooming from a professional. You can keep your dog's coat healthy and mat-free between grooming sessions using pet shampoo like Oatmeal & Aloe Vera Shampoo and brushing it with pet products like the Resco Pro-Series Combo Brush. Poodles come in practically any color, and owners with white dogs may choose Be Bright White Shampoo to keep the coat radiant. Other supplies like Angels' Eyes for Dogs and Cats can restore a clean look around the eyes, since tears tend to stain white coats a rusty brown color.

While poodles are generally well-rounded in terms of temperament and behavior, though there are certain health conditions to look out for. Basal cell tumors and lymposarcoma are types of cancer that are particularly common in miniature poodles, so owners should look out for unusual lumps and changes in the skin, and consider giving the dog a supplement like Be Well for Dogs to boost its immune system and fight off free radicals.

Miniature poodles are also susceptible to tracheal collapse, because the cartilage rings that hold open their airways are fragile. You can support a healthy trachea by giving your pooch pet drugs like Dasuquin that have glucosamine for dogs. This supports the health of the lining of the airway.

In addition, because these dogs are so small, you might want to take extra steps to protect its joints from damage. Invest in dog steps to help your small canine climb up and down from your furniture with ease, since it will want to spend time up there with you. You should also be careful to measure its pet food, because these tiny dogs are easy to overfeed by accident. 

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2. Prepping your pooch for the groomer
3. Does my cat need help with grooming?
4. Keep your white dog sparkling like snow
5. Poodles: Not just for Parisians