Apricot poodles are
associated with rich people who want dogs they can pamper and show
off, but in reality, poodles were bred to actually perform jobs! Not
only do they look fabulous in a show ring, but they were originally
bred as water retrievers that were charged with jumping into water
and collecting any waterfowl a hunter had managed to fell.
And while their coats may
look like they’re cut just to look cute, they really aren’t: the
style was developed for a reason. The trimmed areas lightened the
weight of a poodle’s coat and made it so it wouldn’t snag on
underwater debris while longer areas protected the dog from the
cold.
Poodles come in a variety of
sizes because they are very popular. Toy poodles stand up to 10
inches at the shoulder; miniature poodles stand 11 to 15 inches; and
standard poodles stand about 22 inches at the shoulder. Their weight
varies greatly as well – toy poodles weigh between 6 and 9 pounds;
miniatures weigh between 15 and 17 pounds; and standards weigh quite
a bit more, between 45 and 70 pounds.
Apricot poodles have very
gorgeous coats. Their coats are gleaming and usually come in colors
varying from very light gold to a reddish gold color, depending.
Now, a poodle’s coat requires a lot of attention but if you have
allergies you don’t have to worry that an apricot poodle will
irritate them – they don’t shed at all.
A lot of time and energy has
to go into caring for an apricot poodle’s coat – there is just no
way around it. No matter what the actual color of the poodle’s coat
is, the hair will be curly. You’ll need to brush your apricot poodle
at least every other day to avoid painful, messy-looking tangling
and matting. Get them used to extensive grooming very young so they
do not put up much of a fight when they’re older.
They should also be bathed
regularly, at least twice a month. Their toenails have to be clipped
often as well so they don’t cause problems. (If you can hear your
apricot poodle walking, it’s time for a nail trim!) You also need to
keep their ears very well-cleaned. However, like with all puppies,
wait until they have had all their shots and are at least 16 weeks
old before you take them to a groomer.
Poodles are known to have big
personalities as well. They are very intelligent, loving and loyal
to their owners. They are also a bit mischievous and known to have a
bit of a “goofy streak.” They’re always up for any kind of game.
However, that doesn’t mean they don’t have what poodle owners call
an “air of distinction.” They are naturally very dignified dogs.
Apricot poodles are very
protective of their families and their homes. Properly trained ones
are very well-behaved – even reserved – around new people but they
do warm up to strangers eventually. Unfortunately, their
protectiveness comes with a habit some pet owners find annoying:
their natural instinct is to bark at anyone they hear approaching
the house so you – and probably half the block – knows that someone
is coming into their territory.
Luckily, poodles are also
known to be very sharp, intelligent dogs that are highly trainable.
In fact, many owners claim their poodles have “human-like
intelligence”! They’re also very, very clever. They learn things
fast and remember them forever, so training them in good habits is
very easy, and training out bad habits is easy, too. Apricot poodles
are good companions for children, although younger children should
be watched around smaller ones as they may be a bit too rough.
Poodles who grow up with other dogs are generally very good to take
to dog parks but if your poodle is the only dog in the house, they
may need extra training to feel comfortable in a place with many
other dogs.
Apricot poodles will live
anywhere from 12 to 15 years. They are prone to Addison’s Disease, a
serious condition caused by a malfunction in adrenal gland hormones.
Dogs with this disease will vomit, have a poor appetite and be very
lethargic. Larger poodles are also prone to bloat, which occurs when
a dog eats too much at once and then drinks a large volume of water,
so watch that.
Apricot Poodles are highly
intelligent dogs that are great not only for showing off but also as
a loving companion.
Attention: To discover how
YOU can have the Happiest, Healthiest and Best Behaved Poodle,
get a copy of this Poodle Guide
NOW!
