Medium Size Poodle
At a maximum of 45cm in height and up to 10kg in weight, clever Medium Poodles are just the right size for many dog lovers, since they can always be involved as loyal everyday companions.
Poodles come in four different sizes, with the Medium Poodle the second-largest following the Standard or King Poodle. Weighing up to 4 and 6kg respectively, Toy and Miniature Poodles are smaller than the “Medium Poodle”. The classic poodle breed standard is shared by all four sizes, along with curly poodle fur. For so-called curly poodles, the fur is of a fine, woolly texture and highly frizzy, hardly yielding when the hand applies pressure. In contrast, the fur of corded poodles is at least 20cm long. The magnificent coat is highly voluminous for both varieties and comes in seven colours: black, brown, silver, white, reddish fawn, black-tan and black-and-white checked, also known as harlequin.
Appealing all-rounders for centuries
All four poodle sizes descend from the water dogs used for hunting and have roots tracing back to the Middle Ages, although their exact origin remains unknown. However, the word “poodle” bears testament to the affinity to water, since it comes from the old German word for “puddle”. This deployment for hunting in water is the origin for the basic concept of the typical poodle fleece, which originally had an entirely pragmatic use, with the longer coat protecting the poodle’s brow, chest and shoulders. Hunters sheared the fleece on the remaining parts of the body so that the poodles could swim better. The ancestors of the present-day Medium Poodle were somewhat heavier at around 10 to 20kg. It’s unclear where exactly they come from – be it Russia, France or Italy. The only certainty is that they won over more and more dog lovers over the course of the centuries with their charm and intelligence.
In the 17th century, however, hunters suddenly switched their preference from long to short-haired poodles, although long-haired poodles conquered new terrain in the form of the European nobility with their intelligence and aesthetic appeal. Often well styled, poodles were welcome in many ladies’ parlours, marking an evolution from hunting to society dog. Since poodles are clever as well as attractive, many were part of the circus at the start of the 20th century. British and French breeding endeavours also led to significant developments in the poodle breed at this time, meaning that these cute dogs became even better known. Recognised by the FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale) in 1936, Standard and Medium Poodles are the oldest size variant of the breed. Although a great deal of poodle history has taken place in Germany, France has been considered the breed’s country of origin ever since.
Up until the 1960s, three sizes of poodles (Toy Poodles weren’t recognised until the 1990s) gradually advanced to fashion dog status and were frequently found on the streets of Europe. However, this huge enthusiasm came to an abrupt end, with poodles soon considered to be bourgeois little fashion doggies. It’s a shame, because many critics look at coiffed, fluffy poodles and clearly overlook the breed’s excellent character, exceptional intelligence and not least the many different poodle grooming possibilities. The American John Sutor demonstrated how versatile poodles are by participating in the world’s toughest dog sledging race, the Iditarod, through Alaska with six poodles in 1976. He was one of the few who reached the final destination. Hence, perhaps the breed itself isn’t old-fashioned, but rather the opinion many animal lovers have of it.
Characterful dogs with charm and intelligence
The classic “lion’s fleece” with a crown and pom-poms on the legs and some owners who consider the poodle to be more an extravagant accessory than a constant companion have harmed the image of the breed. However, anyone who spends a bit of time with a Medium Poodle will see the clichés vanish faster than ice melts on a sunny day. Medium Poodles are friendly, cheerful and love outdoor activities. In addition, they like to form a close connection to their family and are one of the cleverest dog breeds. Medium Poodles generally get on well with other dogs both big and small, but when it comes to humans, they are indifferent to strangers. The bigger the poodle, the calmer and more considerate it will be – at least according to many poodle lovers. The Medium Poodle represents a happy medium, being somewhat livelier than level-headed Standard Poodles but calmer than Toy and Miniature Poodles. The exception proves the rule. Due to their size, Medium Poodles have the further advantage of being able to go everywhere without any problems and can even make popular companions for sporting activities. In order to learn about the character of your dream puppy during the acquisition phase, it’s recommended to get acquainted with its parents too. The hunting instinct is rarely prevalent with Medium Poodles.
Grooming curly-haired poodles
Poodles have a big advantage in terms of their fur, since they do not moult. Strictly speaking, however, this isn’t entirely correct. Loose poodle hairs don’t fall out but rather get stuck in the curly fur, making it necessary to regularly brush your Medium Poodle in order to get rid of dead hair. It’s best to fit in a grooming session at least once a week, using a wide-tooth metal comb and brush. By doing so, you will part your poodle’s coat in order to work through the thick fur in sections. The shoulders, stomach and thighs are especially prone to felting, so you should be particularly thorough with these areas and plan more regular grooming sessions if necessary and depending on the length of the fur. Poodles also need regular trimming. This absolutely doesn’t have to be the eye-catching lion cut with pom-poms on the legs and a clean-shaven muzzle; whatever you like and makes your poodle feel at ease is permitted. If you have undergone instruction from a professional, you can take charge of the regular trimming process yourself using high-quality clippers. You should ideally check your four-legged companion’s lop ears on a daily basis, because the combination of a humid climate and the abundant coat can easily bring on parasitic infections and inflammation.
Scrumptious diet high in meat content
Like all dogs, Medium Poodles also require a diet with a high in meat content, regardless of whether it comes in the form of dry or wet food. Ensure that meat is at the top of the ingredients list and that there is very little or ideally no grain content at all. Puppies should become accustomed to a fixed feeding spot where they can eat undisturbed. Up until the age of six months, your puppy should ideally receive three to four portions of food per day, whereas as two daily meals are sufficient for older Medium Poodles. It’s also important to include tasty treats and canine snacks in daily calorie intake calculations to prevent your Medium Poodle from gaining weight. In order to care for your dog’s teeth, you can give it a few pieces of raw beef – never pork! – occasionally to encourage proper chewing. Natural chews such as dried cattle ears also bolster dental care. Some dog owners also get their puppies accustomed to regularly having their teeth cleaned with special dog toothpaste – a very effective method if carried out regularly. Make sure your Medium Poodle always has drinking water freely available.
Responsible Medium Poodle breeding is the best preventive healthcare
The fact that the poodle lost its total fashion dog status around 50 years ago has actually benefited the breed, since it meant that no health-endangering extremes or illicit breeders emerged. Nevertheless, there are still some things to look out for with Medium Poodles. For instance, they are prone to hereditary ocular diseases like PRA (progressive retinal atrophy) and cataracts, although for this there also exists a non-hereditary version. Good breeders exclude affected animals from the breeding process, especially since PRA can now be identified by a genetic test before it erupts. Prevention is very important, because both diseases can lead to complete loss of vision. Furthermore, Medium Poodles have a tendency to develop luxating patella, where the kneecap is shifted out of position and the affected dog conspicuously tries to protect its leg. Make sure you care for the ears regularly, since your Medium Poodle’s lop ears do tend to get inflamed. Healthy Medium Poodles make long-term companions, potentially living to the age of 17.
Obedient Medium Poodles
When it comes to Medium Poodles, you’re sharing your home with one of the most intelligent dogs there is. However, they don’t just captivate with their intelligence, but are also highly cooperative and love to learn at their owner’s side, making them excellent dogs for beginners. With the Medium Poodle, you can both enjoy mastering new tasks and have fun together practicing little tricks of which you can both be proud. You just need to be patient and consistent. With puppies, start with short, playful training sessions that make learning fun and don’t over-challenge their still short attention span.
Activity for talented Medium Poodles
Medium Poodles are companions for (almost) every situation. They have medium exercise requirements, meaning that they enjoy both long walks as well as rainy afternoons at home. The main thing is being involved! They can also accompany you on horse rides or bike tours if you slowly lead them around the tracks and don’t go too fast or too far. Mental training is just as important as physical training. Medium Poodles love to practise tricks and do intelligent dog sports like dog dancing. Some Medium Poodles are even well-suited to be trained as rescue dogs. What is for certain is that there won’t be any dull moments with a clever Medium Poodle!
Is a Medium Poodle the dog of your dreams?
Medium Poodles are easy-going companions for families with or without children or for singletons young and old who like to spend time with their pet. They don’t like to stay on their own for a long time, since they love being close to the pack. Since Medium Poodles don’t moult, they are often recommended to allergy sufferers. However, living with a poodle isn’t completely straightforward for them. Family members who suffer from allergies should take their doctor’s advice and further observe if they suffer allergic reactions in the breeder’s home. Before a Medium Poodle enters your home, you should also plan what to do when you go on holiday or should you fall ill. As Medium Poodles love their family’s company and can also be taken everywhere, holidaying with your pet might be an option for you. You should carry out advance research into possible travel destinations and dog-friendly hotels. Regardless of whether this Medium Poodle is your first dog or not, a good dog school is always of benefit when it comes to socialising and training your new family member. You should ideally look for a dog school that appeals to you before your puppy arrives.
You should consider your future obligations in terms of both time and finances before the newcomer arrives. Along with the initial purchase price, basic equipment includes bowls, collar, harness, lead, dog bed and blankets, comb, brush, a mild dog shampoo, insurance for travelling in the car, toys and tick tweezers. The ongoing costs feature liability insurance for dogs, as well as the dog taxes applicable in your region and of course, high-quality food. The breeder will probably give you some of the dog’s usual food at the beginning. You should continue to feed it this for some time longer so that the puppy isn’t overwhelmed by moving into its new home. You should also take into consideration regular vet check-ups and the associated costs.
How to find your Medium Poodle
Every Medium Poodle fan can contribute to keeping the breed healthy by purchasing from a serious breeder. Responsible breeders are without exception members of associations and only give away their puppies if they are wormed, vaccinated and with a pedigree certificate. Furthermore, they voluntarily provide buyers information on cross-generational healthcare provision, give tips on character and nutrition and are happy to allow visits after prior notice so you can get acquainted with the parent animals and your desired puppies. Another element of responsible breeding is grilling the future owners, so don’t be surprised by potential questions on your circumstances and experience with dogs. You should be pleased that the breeder is concerned about the wellbeing of their puppies.
If an older Medium Poodle could also be a good fit, you can look around in local animal protection or special “poodle in need” associations. As with dogs of all breeds, Medium Poodles could be looking for a new home for different reasons: some may have outlived their owners or have ended up homeless due to a divorce. In any case, giving an older Medium Poodle a new home can be an enriching experience.
We wish you and your Medium Poodle a great future together with lots of feel-good moments!
