Regardless of the size it comes in, standard, miniature or toy, the Poodle is undoubtedly one of the most popular dog breeds nowadays. It is generally known as being a rather spoiled animal, although that is a perception that people are to blame for and that doesn’t necessarily need to be correct. Of course, if you spoil a dog while it is still a puppy, it won’t exactly know better than to be spoiled even when it reaches a certain age. Still, regardless of the way you have been raising them, Poodles will be much more than spoiled creatures, so it is time to bust that myth. Here is what’s good and what’s not so good about them.
The best way to bust that myth is by actually learning at least a few truthful facts about the personality of this breed. So, that is precisely what we are going to do in the rest of this article. To put it clearly, I am going to provide you with some important facts that you need to know about the temperament and the personality of these canines, which will help you understand them much better and consequently learn how to behave around them and how to properly raise them if you decide to get a Poodle as a pet. Let’s begin.
They Are Highly Intelligent
The first thing you have to know about the Poodles is that they are actually highly intelligent. Given the atmosphere that people have created around these dogs, you might have come to a conclusion that these animals aren’t exactly smart and that they are more like dolls that will just sit around doing nothing than a pet that will show signs of extreme intelligence. Well, as mentioned previously, I believe it is time to say goodbye to those misinterpretations and see the Poodle for what it really is – a highly intelligent canine breed.
In case you didn’t know, most experts even argue that the Poodle takes the second place on the list of the most intelligent canines, right after the Border Collie. This might come as a surprise to those people that have perceived it as a spoiled pet. If you were one of those people, then I suggest you get your facts straight and start respecting the Poodle for its brains, and not only for its polished up looks that the owners are responsible for.
They Can Be Trained Easily
Thanks to the Poodle temperament and personality, and its superior intelligence that is combined with the willingness to make their owners happy, this breed is actually quite easily trained. Apart from the things it will learn after you show it to them a few times, the Poodle is bound to pick up a few tricks all on its own by simply observing your behavior. So, don’t be surprised if it starts opening doors and finding the treats that you have tried so hard to hide from them. While this might annoy you sometimes, you cannot help but admire their intelligence and their ability to pick things up rather quickly.
They Have Strong Instincts
Believe it or not, the Poodle actually has strong hunter’s instincts, which will lead to it often chasing after birds or other things that it might perceive as prey. These instincts are also quite admirable, but they also bring us to the conclusion that obedience training will be a must with these animals. After all, you don’t want them disappearing while chasing after something during your walks and your time together. Obedience training will help you keep things under control.
Also Read Top 25 Most Intelligent Dog Breeds in the World
They Are Active And Playful
Speaking of the time you will spend together, let me tell you right away that you shouldn’t expect this dog to just lie around with you, doing absolutely nothing. Poodles are actually extremely active and love to play. So, if you take them out for a walk and then visit a nearby park, be prepared to run and play with it, because its physical activity needs will hardly be met with a short walk on a leash. If you don’t provide it with enough daily exercise, this animal is likely to get bored, which can lead to destructive behavior.
They Need To Have Company
Destructive behavior can also ensue if you leave this dog alone for far too long. They don’t like the idea of being all on their own and they absolutely need to have company at all times. This is why they will be happiest with a larger family where there are always people around them.
But They Prefer Humans
You might get the idea of bringing another dog or another pet home in order to keep it company, but that won’t quite be enough. Of course, if properly trained, your Poodle will not only tolerate, but also love your other pets. Yet, the simple truth is that they prefer human company and no amount of training will be able to change that.
Strangers Aren’t Their Cup Of Tea, Though
When I say that they prefer human company, I am not referring to just any humans, though. In few words, Poodles won’t be too friendly and too happy around strangers. Once again, they will learn how to tolerate them, but leaving them with a stranger for far too long can definitely cause some trouble and lead to them developing behavioral issues.