The Poodle, also known as the Caniche and the Pudle, is a breed of dog that comes in three sizes. The Standard and Miniature Poodles are in the Non-Sporting Group, and the Toy Poodles are in the Toy Group. This is one of the most popular house pet breeds known, and poodles are famous for their companionable temperaments and extremely high degree of intelligence. The Poodle was recognized by the AKC in 1887 and AKC approved in 1984.
Most poodles are proportionally long legged dogs. They have dense, curly, non shedding hair that grows year round and requires regular grooming. Most are solid colored, and many registries only allow solid colors in conformation shows. Solid colored poodles may either hold their color or fade to a lighter shade. Usually, the ears and the thicker guard hairs hold more of the original color than other hair.
With proper care and nutrition, many Poodles enjoy life well into their teens. The most common serious health issues of Standard Poodles are Addison's disease, bloat, hypothyroidism, epilepsy, sebaceous adenitis, juvenile renal disease, hip dysplasia, and cancer.