A friend of mine, who doesn’t have internet access, has asked me to research the mini poodle. She would like to have one. This will be her first dog. My own experience was as an owner of a Labrador (who was a rescue dog), so I’m not familiar with the smaller dogs.

I’ve examined a number of websites and got details of the breed from the Kennel Club and from this site.

A cursory read through the material leaves me with a couple of questions and I’d be grateful if any knowledgeable reader would give me (and Kate) the benefit of their experience.

1. One website gives a lifespan of 13 to 15 years for the mini poodle. Do readers accept this to be an accurate representation?

2. The Kennel Club describes the breed as needing “considerable” grooming. I appreciate that it all depends on which cut my friend selects but for, say, Lamb Trim, how much daily grooming do people do and what needs to be done? How much do professional dog groomers charge for their services and how often are their services needed?

3. The Kennel Club says that the breed needs “moderate” exercise. Can anybody suggest how much exercise – in terms of mileage and/or time a day? Also, how many walks are needed a day? (Lloyd used to have three walks of about 2 miles duration a day. This later reduced - when he was about 10 - to two walks a day. He was a slim, trim old Lab when he died).

4. How much food does a healthy mini poodle require each day? (An estimate of number of 454g tins is fine!)

5. As my friend is considering a puppy, I’ve looked at advice for buyers. The breed notes on this site mentions PRA and Perthes. Are there any other diseases/genetic defects in the breed that we need to look out for and how do we recognize them? Those notes suggest asking about worming programmes and injections but don’t advise on what the acceptable answers should be. (As my own dog was a young adult when we got him, I don’t know a lot about puppies). Would any reader who is “in the know” offer any guidance?

Thank you in anticipation!

Mike

I'll answer your questions in order!

1) Yes average lifespan with others living well into late teens and beyond

2) If your friend intends to keep the coat long then recommended on a daily basis, if not then every 3 days should be OK

3) Mini's can take as much exercise as you can throw at them as long as you build this up slowly, shouldn't take a small pup on a 5 mile hike LOL

4) I only feed dry complete and it is about 60gms a day

5) There can be a hip and knee problem but these aren't as wide spread as in other breeds.

Worming should have been carried out by the breeder before the puppy leaves for its new home. Some breeders have at least the first jab done but not all do.

Hope this helps :D

Jesse