The Miniature Poodle is a highly intelligent dog breed with a cheerful disposition and a sensitive nature. They get along great with children. Due to their small size, they can easily be injured by rough play or accidental falls that can happen with younger children. Because of this, they may be better-suited to a home with older children. Younger children should be fine as long as they are taught how to properly interact with a small dog and time with the dog is closely supervised.

Although they are considered part of the Non-Sporting Group, Miniature Poodles are versatile and athletic dogs. They get along well with other dogs and tend to do well with strangers. They do tend to be protective of their home and can be suspicious of strangers coming up on the property. They are known to bark to alert you of strangers coming to the house. This makes them a good watchdog, but overall, they are more interested in making friends.

This dog breed is highly adaptable. The Miniature Poodle does well in any type of home, including apartments, and fits in with just about any family type. They do well in most climates, but, as with many dog breeds, they are sensitive to extreme heat or cold. Because Mini Poodles are people-oriented, they do not like being alone and will not handle being left alone for long periods of time very well.

Mini Poodles are a relatively healthy dog breed. As with any dog breed, there are still some health conditions to be aware of. Common health issues include hip dysplasia, epilepsy, eye disorders, von Willebrand’s disease, patellar luxation, and Legg-Calve-Perthes. Many of these health concerns can be allayed by checking the genetic history of the parents and asking to see health clearances. Health tests like a PRA Optigen DNA Test, Patella Evaluation, Ophthalmologist Evaluation, and Hip Evaluation are recommended by the National Breed Club.

Miniature Poodles are highly intelligent, easy to train, and eager to please, which makes them a good fit for owners of any experience level. They are a people-oriented dog breed and are sensitive to moods and tones of voice. They do not respond well to harsh training methods or harsh tones as they take it personally, get their feelings hurt, and lose respect for you. A Mini Poodle tends to respond best to consistent training that is fun and focused on positive rewards.

A Mini Poodle will have a curly or corded coat that can come in just about any color. Although this dog breed has a low-shedding, hypoallergenic coat, their coat still needs a lot of grooming. They need to be brushed daily to prevent tangles and matting. If you decide to keep your Miniature Poodle’s coat trimmed short, you may only need to brush them weekly or a few times a week to prevent matting. They should also be professionally groomed every 4 to 6 weeks to keep their coat healthy.

In addition to coat care, you will also need to trim your dog’s nails monthly, regularly check their ears, and brush their teeth. Since a Mini Poodle’s ears drop down, they can collect moisture, dirt, and debris, which can cause ear infections. So, you want to regularly check your dog’s ears to ensure they are clean and dry and clean them as needed. You also want to brush your dog’s teeth regularly to prevent the tartar buildup that causes dental problems like tooth decay and gum disease. Daily tooth brushing is ideal to keep your pooch’s teeth healthy.

Miniature Poodles are high energy dogs that require a good amount of exercise each day. In addition to daily walks, they often enjoy games of fetch and other activities like swimming, hiking, or jogging with their favorite human. They also tend to be great candidates for several dog sports like agility, tracking, obedience, retriever hunt tests, and dock diving. Just make sure to visit the vet and get your dog cleared for these activities before you jump in.