Poodles exude class and sophistication. They come in a variety of shades, most commonly black and white.
If you’re looking for an unconventional color, you’re likely setting your eyes on the blue poodle. Their blue exterior sets them apart from other variations. Their cool-toned coat is subtle but graceful.
Aside from that, blue poodles are affectionate, loyal, and intelligent breeds. They’re beloved as show dogs or family pets as well.
Stick around to learn more about blue poodles, such as their origin, care requirements, and appearance.
History
Blue poodles were once hunting and retrieving dogs. They mainly targeted waterfowl in their trips. The graceful breed traces back to 400 years ago in Germany.
Back then, poodles were multi-colored. It wasn’t until the 1900s that breeders created solid-colored poodles. A few of the many colors were black, brown, and white. Blue poodles first came to notice when a black variation lightened up.
Now, blue is an officially recognized color for poodles by the American Kennel Club (AKC). The AKC certified the breed by 1887.
Appearance
Blue poodles have long snouts complemented by droopy, wide ears. Typically, they have lean bodies and long limbs. Meanwhile, their eyes and noses are dark-colored.
The breed has curly and dense hair, usually styled. Blue poodles always stand straight with long necks in terms of posture. Plus, they have long tails, sometimes elongated by their curled hair.
Size
Blue poodles are medium to large-sized dogs. The exquisite breed stands at about 18 to 24 inches tall.
Weight
Blue poodles weigh approximately 40 to 70 lbs.
Facts
If you’re considering owning a blue poodle, check out these facts about the elegant breed.
They’re Purebred
Since they’re blue, you may believe they’re mixed. Nonetheless, blue poodles are purebred dogs. Blue poodles were born black, and their coat naturally fades to blue.
They’re Not All Blue
Blue poodles are not entirely blue. In bright lighting, you can catch some brownish hues on their topcoats.
They Can Swim
As original waterfowl hunting breeds, poodles can swim. Their webbed feet and peak physical form allow them to tread through the water.
They Don’t Shed
Poodles don’t have fur. Instead, they have hair coats. In turn, their non-shedding nature is ideal for allergic owners.
They’re Not Silver
Blue and silver poodles often get mixed up. Both breeds start with jet-black coats as puppies. Silver variations tend to fade in color faster. Plus, they’re usually lighter than blue poodles.
They Come in Different Shades
Blue poodles come in a variety of tones. Some come in a browner hue, while others appear darker. It all depends on the genetic variation of each dog.
You can check if a poodle is blue from their roots. If they’re grayish or light-tinted, then they’re likely blue-coated. Aside from that, blue poodles have distinctively gray-toned faces as well.
Care Requirements
Before owning a blue poodle, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with their care requirements. Luckily, the breed isn’t too fussy and can be ideal for first-time owners.
Diet
Your poodle’s diet is integral to its mental and physical well-being. Check out what you should feed your blue poodle from puppyhood to adulthood below.
Puppyhood
After your new pup arrives, you need to consult your breeder regarding what they fed it. That way, you can ease them into a new diet. Otherwise, feeding it different foods right away can cause an upset stomach.
When the pup is under three months, you can free-feed it. Just make sure you keep their plates fresh and rinsed. You can add a quarter of new food every week.
After it turns three months, restrict the food to three meals per day. Try to incorporate dry food for the most part. It’s better for the pup’s oral health and digestive system.
Adulthood
Once the pup reaches adulthood during the six-month mark, you can reduce its diet to two meals. During adulthood, feed your poodle a whole-grain and protein-rich diet.
Avoid foods with fillers and high-grain counts. Look for brands that offer zero preservative options.
Exercise
An hour’s worth of exercising for your blue poodle is critical. The breed is highly active and enjoys lots of physical stimulation.
Now, exercise doesn’t have to be walking alone. You can throw a ball and play fetch since poodles adore retrieving. Plus, hiking and swimming are also suitable for your blue poodle.
If you have a busy schedule, divide the activity into two or three intervals. It’ll keep your poodle engaged and away from your shoe closet.
Grooming
One of the most crucial factors to consider before investing in a poodle is its grooming needs. If you’ve seen dog shows, you’ve likely seen how above and beyond poodle owners go.
Unlike other dog breeds, poodles don’t have fur. They have hair as humans do. Subsequently, it grows but doesn’t shed.
Poodle hair can get too dense, and you must visit the groomer at least every eight weeks. Generally, the breed’s coat should be trimmed every four to eight weeks.
We suggest training your poodle for these groomer visits. You could do so through positive reinforcement, such as using treats. The best part about owning a poodle is its hairstyle versatility.
You can choose from a bunch of haircuts, like the adorable teddy bear cut. Alternatively, you can go for an elegant modern haircut.
Bathing
Aside from haircuts, you’ll want to know how often you should bathe your blue dog. As a general rule, bathe your poodle every three weeks. Poodle skin produces natural oils to moisturize their skin.
When left uncleaned, the oils can accumulate and trap dirt and other pollutants. In turn, the poodle’s skin pores will clog. Before you begin the bathing process, you need to brush their hair.
That way, you can untangle any messes and remove any dead hair. Plus, it’ll help remove any matting, which will be harder to loosen when wet.
During bath time, use a clarifying shampoo with fewer chemicals. Use medicated shampoo if your poodle is dealing with skin issues.
Temperament
Poodles live for attention. They’re energetic and playful breeds with big loyal hearts. The blue breed enjoys playing with children, making it an ideal family dog.
Socialization
Blue poodles can socialize well with other animals. Nevertheless, you need to expose them to other dogs beforehand so they can be more comfortable. Meanwhile, poodles can sometimes be wary of strangers.
They may act shy when approached or growl. For this reason, slowly introduce the stranger to your pet before allowing them to pet it firsthand.
That said, blue poodles rarely act aggressively. They may only resort to violent behavior if they feel highly threatened. Plus, the breed could develop separation anxiety when not given enough attention.
Barking
Blue poodles are exceptionally expressive dogs. They’re typically considered moderate barkers. The graceful breed bark when it feels anxious or excited.
Poodles may also bark to alert you or get attention. In the latter’s case, they could be begging for a walk. Luckily, you can train your poodle to refrain from barking.
Training
Training is a breeze with blue poodles. You can train your poodle to do all kinds of tricks and commands. They aim to please their owners. Since they’re an intelligent breed, they tend to get bored fast.
Consequently, you need to provide them with sufficient mental stimulation. You can opt for several methods, such as a classical conditioning method. Alternatively, introducing a clicker training method might be more effective in getting your poodle’s attention.
Aside from that, you can start simply with a poodle puppy. For instance, you can begin with name recognition, learning to sit, and potty training. Your poodle can learn more advanced tricks, such as fetching, the older it gets.
Health Considerations
Blue poodles are vulnerable to several hereditary health conditions. It could range from eye diseases to joint issues. Check out more details below.
Life Expectancy
Blue poodles can live up to 11 to 15 years. Fortunately, this is longer than the average life expectancy of other breeds.
Health Complications
Before purchasing a blue poodle, it’s best to be aware of certain health complications it may encounter.
Sebaceous Adenitis
The immune-mediated disorder originates from an inflammation in the poodle’s sebaceous glands. These glands deposit oils and moisture to your pet’s skin. When the glands become inflamed, the poodle could experience hair loss.
Demodectic Mange
Demodectic mange is a parasitic infection affecting canines with weak immune systems. Now, dogs already have skin mites. The illness is triggered when the number of skin mites increases fast.
The disease causes patchy hair loss, particularly around the face and eyes. Your vet will recommend using topical treatments to abate demodectic mange.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism occurs due to a defective immune system. Signs of the illness include lethargy, weight gain, and thinning hair. Hormone treatment will help manage the disease but won’t cure it.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia happens when there’s uneven growth in your poodle’s hip bones. The deformity mainly occurs during puppyhood. Hip dysplasia is highly prevalent and affects over 70% of medium to large purebred dogs. Curing the illness involves total hip replacement surgery.
Addison’s Disease
Addison’s disease targets your poodle’s adrenal gland, which produces cortisol. These hormones are responsible for metabolic regulation and blood sugar levels.
A lack of them can symptomize lethargy, lack of appetite, and vomiting. Luckily, the illness is treatable through prescribed medication.
Price
Poodles are often associated with high class and for a good reason. The breed usually sells for pricey sums.
From Breeder
Blue poodles can cost anywhere between $800 to $2,000. Breeders charge a hefty amount for poodles due to several factors.
Firstly, the breed is famously a show dog. Purebred breeders want to ensure high-quality care for their clients.
They feed parent poodles premium foods and pamper them with high-cost care essentials. You may struggle to find a breeder specializing in blue poodles because they’re rare.
Before contacting a breeder, we recommend getting a referral. You can get it from a vet or your close friend. Afterward, directly contact the breeder and set a date to meet.
Meet the breeder at their facility so you can inspect its condition thoroughly. Then, you can discuss the details of the puppy’s parentage, vaccinations, and more.
Be sure to sign a contract with the breeder. It’ll state that if you’re unfit to care for the poodle, you need to return it.
From Adoption Center
Poodle adoption fees can run between $300 to $600. The fees cover the care requirements the adoption agency previously paid. If you want to adopt, then you’ll want to search for an agency specializing in rescue poodles.
Now, an adopted poodle differs from one raised well by a breeder. Consequently, you need to ask the adoption staff how the dog ended up here.
Some poodles may have gone through traumatic experiences that you need to know. That way, you’ll be able to provide the necessary care for the poodle to thrive.
FAQs
How can I tell if my poodle is blue?
The blue coat should appear as a diluted black shade. You can find specks of gray on its top coat as well. Check the paw pads and skin as well for blueish tints.
Do blue poodles have blue skin?
Yes, blue poodles should have blue skin pigmentation. It may look ashy-colored.
Are blue poodles born blue?
No, blue poodles are initially born black. It could take as long as a couple of years for the blue shade to appear.
Is blue color rare for dogs?
Blue-coated dogs are relatively rare. The gene carrying blue coats is recessive. That said, several breeds have this gene, such as Great Danes.
Final Thoughts
Blue poodles are a treasure to own. They’re charismatic pets with exquisite builds. Fortunately, they’re low-maintenance regarding their trainability, diet, and exercise.
Besides that, owning a poodle comes with a hefty price tag. Aside from the initial costs of purchasing it, you’ll need to consider its grooming needs.
That said, you can learn how to cut poodle hair to cut down on costs. It’ll be worth it since you get to own a blue gem.