Miniature Poodle

The Poodle is most likely a descendant of the Barbet, a curly-coated dog that was found in France, Russia, Hungary, and elsewhere. They are often closely associated with the French, but the modern Poodle is from Germany. The word “pfudel” in German means “puddle” or “to splash,” a reflection of the water dog’s retrieval abilities. 

Their coats are traditionally shaved close to the body to help them glide through the water, with the fluffy, distinctive ponpoms providing warmth to their vital organs. The Mini and Toy Poodles evolved into circus performers and then companion dogs for the French aristocracy, eventually becoming the national dog of France. 

Owners should love training as much as these former circus pups do and find as much joy in learning as the Miniature Poodle does. Exercise is important for these active dogs, as are mental stimulation games and puzzles. They can be loud and bark a lot, especially if bored or under-exercised. They love being with owners who are home more of the time and who are willing to keep them busy mentally and physically. A busy Poodle is a quiet one. Grooming will be important.

While Mini Poodles might seem like lap dogs, they can be surprisingly active thanks to their water retriever origins. They will enjoy exercising and supplemental time training with interactive toys and family activities. If they are under-exercised or mentally unstimulated, they can become noisy and hyperactive.

Smaller spaces won’t bother a Miniature Poodle, so long as they have access to the outdoors for walks and potty time. They mostly want to be close to their owners.

Poodles don’t shed, making them a great choice for owners who are allergic to hair, although they might not be suitable for those allergic to dander and saliva. Their coats do require maintenance and upkeep, often professionally every six weeks or so. They can be routinely brushed or combed at home between grooms to prevent matting.

Poodles are incredibly intelligent and easy to train. They pick things up quickly and love working alongside their owners to learn new things. You might be surprised at how athletic these water retriever dogs are—give them an agility course, access to dog sports, or the opportunity to do heelwork to music and they’ll excel.

The Miniature Poodle is a happy medium between the bouncy Standard Poodle and the delicate Toy Poodle, ideal for family life.

The cost of a Miniature Poodle from a breeder is significantly more than the cost of adopting one from a local shelter or rescue. The adoption fee usually covers additional items such as spaying or neutering, vaccines, and microchipping.