This post will talk about poodle dogs and if it is possible that this breed works to watch and even act as a guard dog. In addition, we will talk about the physical characteristics of this breed, its behavior, temperament, and general and health care.
Poodle guard dog
Poodles are not good guard dogs. They are very harmonious animals, calm and quiet. They are animals that can bark when identifying a stranger, but at the first opportunity they are dogs that will hide.
Poodles are very intelligent and can be trained to perform a variety of activities. However, good results are not observed when training them to guard, as they are dogs that are not prone to aggression.
Another factor that can get in the way of acting as a guard dog is its cute and friendly physical trait. So, the physical appearance of these dogs does not put fear in any stranger.
About the poodle’s breed
The poodle is a breed that has four different sizes (toy, miniature, moyen and standard). The breed’s origin is not very certain, but it is believed that these dogs were initially bred in France.
Physical characteristics of the poodle breed
The Poodle has an oval skull, the snout is small and round, its ears are long and drooping. The length of the body is slightly greater than the height at the withers. The limbs are perfectly straight and parallel, well-muscled, with good bone.
Its curly or stringy coat is the main physical characteristic of the poodle breed. The color of the fur varies in white, black, brown, gray, apricot and reddish fawn.
Behavior/Temperament
Poodles are intelligent dogs, constantly alert, active, and elegant. They are excellent dogs for the tutors company due to their fidelity, and the desire to be close to their tutor playing or training.
Dogs are not considered as active, but they need daily physical exercise with their tutors. They love to play and walk with their tutors. They are quiet dogs with a calm temperament.
Breed care
Daily care is important to prevent the dog from getting sick. Below we will talk about some care with poodle breeds such as:
- Food care;
- Bath care;
- Ear care;
- Skin care;
- Nail care;
- Teeth care;
- Health care.
Food care
For poodles to have a good quality of life, they need good nutrition and a well-balanced diet. These dogs may have a natural balanced diet by a veterinary nutritionist, or they may eat processed foods specific to the animal’s size.
These dogs must eat the right amount for the animal’s weight and age. For industrialized foods, the use of specific foods for the Poodle breed is indicated. Human foods should be avoided without the indication of a veterinarian.
Bath care
This breed does need to be bathed twice a month. Bathing should be done very carefully, especially to avoid getting water into the ear. Due to the wavy coat, dogs must always be very dry after bathing to avoid the growth of microorganisms on the skin that lead to dermatitis.
Ear care
This breed has droopy ears and when not cleaned properly they can predispose to ear infections. Ear cleaning should be done with specific products for dogs every week. Thus, it is possible to avoid serious diseases such as otitis.
Skin care
Poodle dogs have fine, curly coats and need daily brushing to avoid tangles in the fur. These dogs can be trimmed in several ways, the most common are teddy bear cut, summer cut, puppy cut and others.
Nail care
As for nail clipping, it is recommended to cut the dog’s nail once or twice a month. Cutting the nails prevents the animal from getting hurt or even hurting the tutor.
Teeth care
Dogs of this breed should brush their teeth every 48 hours with a dog-specific toothpaste. Constant brushing of your dog’s teeth helps prevent tartar buildup and the resulting problems.
Health care
Poodles are dogs that live for many years due to the fact that they are very healthy dogs. However, some dogs may have diseases such as patellar deviation and hip dysplasia.
Patellar deviation is a common disease in small-sized poodle dogs. Patellar deviation in dogs can cause the dog to limp and cause local pain, as the patella leaves the anatomical site. The treatment for this pathology is surgical.
Hip dysplasia is a genetic alteration, very common in larger poodles. Dysplasia is a malformation in the hip joint that causes discomfort, pain, can lead the dog to limp and has problems with locomotion that worsen with age.
Because it is a genetic trait, dogs with a high degree of the disease should not be reproduced. There are imaging tests that classify the degree of dysplasia and can be performed even in puppies.
As for reproduction, dogs tend to have few reproductive problems. But diseases such as cryptorchidism in male dogs have been reported. Cryptorchidism happens when one or all testicles are not located in the scrotum. Thus, castration surgery is indicated, as the ectopic testicle is predisposed to tumors.
Breast tumors in unneutered females can also be frequent in small poodle breed dogs. That’s why the castration of these female dogs is indicated.
Despite being extremely healthy dogs, it is important that regular visits to the veterinarian are made. For general check-ups, vaccinations, and deworming. Thus, avoiding the sweetening of the animal.
Conclusion
Poodles can be excellent companion dogs, but they are not as good as guard dogs. Its friendly physical characteristic does not frighten any stranger. In addition to its sweet temperament, quiet and calm, it can bark at strangers but will rarely act with any kind of aggression.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Poodle guard dog
Is a Poodle aggressive?
No. The Poodles can never be aggressive, in general they are docile, friendly, and intelligent. Also, this breed is sociable with people and other animals.
How big is a Poodle dog?
The size of the dogs is measured by the height of the withers. The Standard Poodle measures from 45 to 60 centimeters; the Moyen poodle measures 35 to 45 centimeters; Miniature Poodle measures 28 to 35 centimeters; and the Toy Poodle measures 24 to 28 centimeters at the withers.
Are Poodles Good Pets?
Poodles are known to be gentle and friendly, docile, intelligent and attached to their tutors. It is obedient and easy to train for his eagerness to please. This dog can be a good pet for those who like a good companion dog.
Reference
CBKC – Brazilian Canine Cynophilic Confederation, 2017 Official Breed Standard: Poodle. Available at: https://cbkc.org/application/views/docs/padroes/padrao-raca_263.pdf, Accessed 11th Feb 2022.
Picture: pxhere.com/pinterest.com
