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Could that dog in the shelter be a Miniature Poodle? Recognizing a Poodle type dog is a lot more than just looking at what clip their coat is in. Most Miniature Poodles in shelters or breed rescues are not in the fancy show clips. But there are still ways to recognize a Miniature Poodle.

The Miniature Poodle is built just like the Standard Poodle, only on a smaller scale. They have the same temperament, needs and grooming requirements. There are some who think the Miniature Poodle is the most intelligent of the Poodle types, but there is really no way to prove this.

The miniature Poodle is between eleven and fifteen inches high at the withers (highest point of the shoulder) and is only about fifteen to seventeen pounds. In comparison, a Standard Poodle is at least fifteen inches in height and weighs an average of fifty pounds.

Miniature Poodles have the same body types and facial expressions and attitudes of their larger Poodle brothers and sisters. They possess lean and athletic bodies underneath the enormous coats. They are built more like small hounds, with a pointed nose, a profile officially described as chiseled, a rounder forehead than regular hounds and floppy rounded ears that naturally seem to hug the head. Their eyes are usually dark, but lighter colored eyes do occur, although not in show quality Miniature Poodles. They have a scissors bite, which is used just on food and toys.

Their long and strong bodies have a level spine (called a topline in the dog show world), although some pet-quality Miniature Poodles will have a topline that slopes down to their hindquarters. The tail and head are naturally held high. The feet are oval in shape, although pet-quality Miniature Poodles will have splayed feet. The overall look of the dog is that all of the body parts should be in proportion to each other.

All official Poodle information says that the Miniature Poodle is solid colored only, but pet quality animals may have two colors on the same body. Their trot is lively and they seem to always be looking around for admirers. This is a dog that loves the paparazzi (or should I say, pupperazzi?) Poodle types are considered the second most intelligent dog breed in the world, just after the Border Collie.

All coats of Poodle types are long and curly and are actually hair and not fur. Most Miniature Poodles fall short of their breed standard in many areas, but still can be purebred Miniature Poodles.

They don’t seem to care whatever clip they are given. Miniature Poodles are long lived (some have reached twenty) and is one of the more healthy breeds of smaller dogs available.

Tags: Pets

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