Poodle puppies are adorable and feisty, and are covered from head to toe in curly hair. However, there is more to selecting a puppy than choosing the cutest, cuddly, and fluffiest one. The following is what you need to keep in mind when you go on your poodle puppy hunt.
There are two important aspects you need to consider when selecting a pup:
- Appearance
- Temperament
Appearance – you need to carefully analyze the puppy’s overall appearance. A poodle pup should have a relatively long head and muzzle. The skull is slightly round and features a minor stop. They have a well-defined chin, a perfect scissor bite, and their head should be proportioned to the rest of their body.
Poodle puppies should have wide ears that fold down and hang close to the head. Their eyes are almond shaped and vary in color based on their coat coloring; however, they are usually a dark shade. The eyes convey an intelligent and bright expression.
Poodles have relatively wide and deep chest bodies. Their ribs are round and well sprung, and the loins are muscular and broad. Their short back is strong and the tail may be either docked or undocked. The docked tail is quite high and is carried at an angle, not over the back. The undocked tail is also high and should be carried as straight as possible and away from the body.
The legs of poodle puppies are muscular and strong. The front legs are straight and the back legs feature bent stifles. Neither the front nor the back legs should turn out or in. The legs taper into tight, small feet that are oval shaped and should be straight. The pads of the paws should be thick and hard and the toes well arched.
Make sure you watch the puppy walk before you make your selection. Although the pup will be slightly awkward due to his/her size, they should be free in their movements and have plenty of drive. In addition, poodle puppies should have a proud look and an air of elegance about them.
The coat of the poodle puppy should be made up of thick curly hair that is of a dense, harsh texture. Poodle puppies come in a variety of solid coat colors including:
- White/Cream – Dark brown eyes and black features (I.E. nose, eye rims, lips, and toenails
- Brown – Dark amber eyes and dark liver colored features
- Apricot/Red – Dark brown eyes and black features or dark amber eyes and liver colored features.
- Black/Silver/Blue – Dark brown eyes and black features
Temperament – Poodle puppies should have a happy and friendly temperament. They should not be shy or aggressive, and be very playful and affectionate.
It is vital for you to keep all of this information in mind when looking at poodle puppies to ensure that the dog you are selecting is a healthy and ideal representation of their breed.
Poodle Training…
