Long before the Poodle was brought to England, the European mainland was well acquainted with the breed. Drawings by German artist Albrecht Dürer established the popular image of the breed in the 15th and 16th centuries. The paintings of the eminent Spanish artist Fransisco Goya are a testimony to the fact that it was the cardinal pet dog of the late 18th century in Spain. During the regime of Louis XVI, people in the neighboring France pampered and fancied toy poodles a lot.

The Poodle has been known throughout Western Europe for at least 400 years and is depicted in 15th century paintings and in bas-reliefs from the 1st century. However, there is no real consensus, as concerns the place of origin of the dog. Different people preserve different views on this subject.

Show dog, Show stopper

It can be trained to a great extent and is very willing and interested in appeasing its handler. Amusing and clever, it is often used as a circus dog. The more intelligent a dog is, the more its mind needs to occupied with thoughts and feelings. A kennel is not the optimal habitat for this breed. It has to be made a part and parcel of the human family. 

The Miniature Poodle is very much equipped to lead a settled apartment life. It will always be in a pleasant mind frame indoors, provided that enough exercise is given to it. A yard is non-essential for a poodle.

Miniature Poodles need a daily walk. While out on the walk make sure the dog heels beside or behind the person holding the lead, never in front, (this is essential as loyalty towards humans makes dogs set great store by them). As with all breeds, play will not fulfill their primal instinct to walk. Dogs that do not get to go on daily walks are more likely to build up behavior problems. They will also enjoy a good romp in a safe, open area off lead, such as a large, fenced-in yard. 

An enormous amount of grooming is needed if the dog is to be shown. Poodles must be bathed regularly and clipped every six to eight weeks. Clean and check the ears frequently for wax or mites or infection and pull out hairs growing inside the ear canal. The teeth need regular scaling. Since the coat does not shed, it needs to be clipped.

There are a myriad of positive characteristics that make the poodle a pet lover’s choice. This dog is tremendously witty and persevering. Therefore, training of any kind would be readily accepted and mastered in a very short amount of time. The dog is the best choice for people set back by certain health issues as it is devoid of shedding.The sheer number of colors in which a Poodle is available makes it one of the most prized dogs. For instance, the Poodle comes in solid colors of white, gray, black, brown, apricot, cream, silver, and café-au-lait.

 Grooming is not that essential, but since haircuts would be required every five to six weeks, be ready to bear the additional expenses. Exercising is a prerequisite for a poodle. Hence, if you lack a fenced backyard or someone in the family willing to provide daily walks and playtime, it is better to turn a blind eye to the Poodle. Nonetheless, if the activity needs of this breed could be met in a different manner, this would not be much of a headache.