From their majestic trot to their eye-catching curls, Black Poodles are a sight to behold. The breed is notably clever, loveable, and energetic.
One of the best parts about owning a Black Poodle is its trainability. It aims to please its owners by being obedient and affectionate.
The dog comes in three sizes, standard, miniature, and toy. Each type can fit your living standards, whether you have a small apartment or a spacious outdoor area.
Stick around to learn more about Black Poodles and why you should own one.
History
Black Poodles have a hunting background, particularly in waterfowl. They used to accompany German hunters and retrieve the ducks shot by their owners.
Owners cut the breed’s signature black curly coat to allow for ease of swimming. Plus, it allowed them to dry off faster. Aside from their active lifestyle, Black Poodles also lived a life of luxury.
The French monarchy owned the regal dogs. In turn, the pets became a symbol of the high class. During that time, smaller breeds of Poodles became popularized. King Louis XIV owned a Toy Poodle called Filou.
In addition to royalty, gypsies prized Poodles as circus pets. The intelligent breed could perform multiple tricks. The Poodles wore costumes to give them more of a stage presence.
Appearance
Standard Black Poodles have prominent legs with long graceful necks. Subsequently, the breed can have a successful career in modeling. It has an angular face with a long and slim muzzle.
The elegant dog is usually standing straight with its curled tail. Speaking of curls, Black Poodles have gorgeous coarse locks. Their shiny strands stand out in dog shows and performances.
Aside from that, the black breed has a lean body. It also has long ears framing its pretty triangular face. Black Poodles usually have dark-colored eyes and noses.
Size
Black Poodles come in three main sizes. They’re either Standard, Miniature, or Toy-sized.
That said, Standard options stand at an average of 17 to 23 inches in height. Miniature Black Poodles are anywhere between 10 to 15 inches. Lastly, Toy varieties don’t surpass 10 inches.
Weight
In terms of weight, you can also find three ranges. Standard Black Poodles weigh around 45 to 70 lbs. Meanwhile, Miniature breeds weigh 15 to 20 lbs. Toy Poodles can weigh as little as 6 to 10 lbs.
Facts
Read some facts below to familiarize yourself more about the Black Poodle.
They Don’t Shed
Black Poodles don’t grow fur, but they have hair instead. Animal fur grows up to a point and sheds. Meanwhile, Poodle hair grows like human hair.
They’re Not French
A Poodle isn’t of French origin, even though it’s France’s national dog. Instead, they come from the German ancestry of waterfowl hunting dogs.
They Can Be Born from Non-Black Parents
Black Poodles don’t always result from Black-colored parents. They can get their dark color from deep within their ancestral line.
The black color also stems from a pigment known as eumelanin. The color gene can become dominant and produce a black coat, even in small quantities.
They Can Become Truffle Hunters
Truffle hunters use Black Miniature Poodles to target the expensive ingredient. Thanks to their strong sense of smell and alertness, they can zero in on the earthy and nutty aroma.
Caring for Black Poodle
You might be thinking about owning a Black Poodle. In turn, you’ll want to know all about their care requirements.
Diet
Black Poodles need a diet rich in vitamins, minerals, protein, and healthy fats. Incorporating these components will allow your Poodle to live a longer and happier life.
Puppyhood
During their early stages, puppy Poodles need at least three meals daily. We suggest feeding the little ones dry kibble. It’ll help them develop stronger teeth.
Now, you don’t want to introduce new foods to your puppy on its first day with you. Instead, you can mix the previous owner’s meals with your own. You can do this for over a week or month until you’re only feeding it new food.
Besides that, make sure to cater your puppy’s meal to its future adult size. For instance, if you have a Standard Black Poodle, focus on its calcium intake. Subsequently, you can avoid health complications, such as hip dysplasia.
Adulthood
As your Poodle puppy grows older, it can turn into a fussy eater. Unlike other breeds, Poodles aren’t as motivated by food. They’re usually mindful feeders and eat when they’re hungry.
That said, be sure that your six-month or older Black Poodle is eating at least two meals daily. Portioning the food depends on the Poodle’s size. Ideally, you can feed it 35 to 45 calories for every pound. For instance, a ten-pound Toy Poodle can survive off of 350 calories.
If you plan on making home-cooked food, add lots of animal meat. You can also incorporate vegetables, such as zucchini, spinach, and potatoes. It can also get a share of essential antioxidants from blueberries, blackberries, and sweet potatoes.
Exercise
Whether it’s a toy or a standard variety, Black Poodles are energy-filled. They enjoy all kinds of physical stimulation, such as walking, hiking, and swimming. The breed will benefit most from an hour’s worth of exercise.
Standard Black Poodles will likely require more attention in terms of activity. Miniature and toy breeds need a careful eye, especially in their puppy years.
During that time, their bones are still composed of soft tissue. Until they calcify, you can exercise them for an hour. Otherwise, over-exercise can inhibit healthy bone growth.
You can start exercising once your pet turns three months old. You can add five minutes to their exercise routine as they grow each month. Once they turn a year old, they can exercise freely for an hour.
If you have a busy lifestyle, split the dog’s exercise into three intervals. It’ll keep your Black Poodle physically stimulated.
Grooming
Nature has blessed Black Poodles with fabulous dark curls. Upkeeping their hair requires a lot of effort. You need to brush their locks daily or every other day. It’ll help in preventing tangles and matting.
Plus, your dog requires a professional grooming session every six weeks. Waiting too much will make your Poodle resemble a black sheep since they don’t shed.
At the groomer’s, you can choose between multiple hairstyles. Each style brings out a different personality in your Poodle. For instance, a teddy bear cut will evoke a youthful appearance.
A continental haircut is better suited for professional dog show settings. Alternatively, you can stick to a contemporary style. It’ll accentuate its model-like features.
Bathing
Before you start washing your Poodle, make sure you brush its dry coat. It’ll help distribute its natural oils all over its hair. Afterward, you can wet its hair thoroughly using warm water.
Use a mild shampoo to scrub your fluffy pet’s curls, and make sure to get into their skin. You need to get rid of any build-up to avoid skin complications. Next, you can optionally condition its hair for extra moisture and ease of detangling post-shower.
Finally, dry its curls by gently rubbing its coat with a soft towel. You may also use a blow dryer to speed up the process. It can cause heat damage if held too close to the poodle’s hair, so use it moderately.
Temperament
Black Poodles are, more often than not, people pleasers. They enjoy human company, even more so than with their species.
The curly-haired breed is intelligent and alert. For this reason, you need to keep your pet mentally engaged. It could be through challenges and activities like playing fetch.
Socialization
Poodles tend to be shy around new people. If they’re well-socialized during their puppy years, they become friendlier. The good news is that the breed is rarely aggressive.
It may only resort to destructive behavior if it doesn’t receive enough engagement. Poodles are prone to social anxiety, so we suggest designating a time to give them all the attention they need.
Apart from that, Poodles are an empathetic breed. They’re sensitive to your body language, making them ideal companions. Overall, they’ll try to put a smile on your face whenever they can.
Barking
Black Poodles are moderate barkers. Typically, they bark whenever feeling threatened. Your pet may also want to alert you of incoming danger.
Barking could also be a sign of a lack of exercise and attention. In other cases, the Poodle is expressing separation anxiety and distress.
You can keep your Poodle’s barks in check by keeping them well-exercised and mentally stimulated. Training them to stop barking is also a workable solution to the incessant barking.
Training
Black Poodles are a perfect choice for first-time owners, thanks to their trainability. You can implement lots of training methods to keep them on their toes. Some of these include positive reinforcement and clicker training.
You can even try a unique technique known as the model-rival method. For this method, you need to have another dog, preferably well-trained.
To use this training mechanism, you can let your other dog perform a command. Meanwhile, the Poodle should be observing how you reward the other pet. In turn, it’ll copy their behavior in hopes of receiving the same affection.
Whichever approach you take, be consistent and do your research. If one method doesn’t work, it’ll help you better understand your Poodle’s training needs. In the worst-case scenario, you can enlist a professional trainer’s help.
Health Considerations
Understanding the health considerations of the breed will better prepare you for what’s to come.
Life Expectancy
A Black Poodle’s life expectancy could be dependent on its size category. Standard Black Poodles can live anywhere between 12 to 15 years.
Miniature Poodles can survive up to 13 to 16 years. Lastly, Toy variations have a lifespan of 14 to 18 years.
Health Complications
Like other purebred dogs, Black Poodles are vulnerable to several health complications. Here are some of them below.
Addison’s Disease
Addison’s Disease occurs when your Poodle’s body can’t produce enough cortisol. The adrenal glands are responsible for this stress hormone production. The defect can affect the dog’s behavior.
It can become more lethargic, lose weight, and excessively vomit. Treating the health issue involves injecting cortisol supplements. The treatment is lifelong since the disease is yet to be fully curable.
Hip Dysplasia
The bone complication primarily afflicts standard-size breeds. It causes a lack of alignment in the pelvic region, where the socket and ball joints grow at different levels. The deformity occurs during the dog’s puppy years.
Treatments include the administration of omega-3 supplements and glucosamine. Otherwise, some cases call for surgery. A metal and plastic implant replaces the hip joint to align the pelvic region and avoid further discomfort.
Sebaceous Adenitis
The illness causes an inflammatory reaction in your Black Poodle’s Sebaceous glands. It can result in brittle hair, symmetrical hair loss, and lesions.
Sebaceous Adenitis is an autoimmune disease, making treatment more challenging. Vets prescribe oral medication to alleviate the discomfort.
Cost
Black Poodles are no light expense since they cost around $600 to $2,500 from a breeder. The high price is an indicator of high-quality care.
It includes grooming, diet, and medical expenses. Breeders take exceptional care of the puppy’s bloodline to ensure a healthy outcome.
When visiting a breeder, assess the facility’s quality and the dogs’ conditions. You can ask for the Poodle’s medical and familial history and regulation documents.
In contrast, you can resort to adopting a Black Poodle. You can find multiple Poodle rescue centers willing to provide you with one for around $50 to $300. Nevertheless, it may not be a puppy or present show quality like the breeder’s dog options.
Final Thoughts
Is a Black Poodle the right dog for you? Fortunately, the purebred dog is trainable, intelligent, and loyal. Nonetheless, it can be high-maintenance when it comes to its grooming needs.
You’ll want to consider the extra costs of regularly getting a professional trim. Aside from that, Black Poodles are a treasure to own. They’re playful and charismatic dogs bound to keep you company no matter what.