The Poodle breed with a height greater than 48 centimeters is called Giant Poodle. It is a variation of the Poodle breed, characterized by its larger size and the same features as the standard Poodle, such as curly or corded coat. They are active, alert, and elegant in movement, showing a confident posture with good body proportion and agile movement. After traditional trimming and careful grooming, the Poodle will display its inherent unique and noble temperament.
The Poodle (also known as a Pudel or Caniche) is a formal breed of dog, which includes the Giant Poodle, Standard Poodle, Miniature Poodle, and Toy Poodle (the smallest size, also known as the Teacup Poodle in some international standards). Additionally, some pedigree organizations recognize the Medium Poodle, which falls in between the Standard Poodle and Miniature Poodle in terms of size.
The exact origin of Poodles is unknown, and they have a history of four hundred years throughout Western Europe.
Poodles can also be called "Curly Dogs." They are very intelligent and hunting-loving breeds, but only the showy coat attracts attention. It is one of the most beloved breeds. These dogs are versatile and can display noble behavior in any environment. In the wild, French Poodles will retrieve hunted birds found in the water. In the circus, their eye-catching appearance, loyal service, and active personality have won them many fans.
It is recommended that dog lovers keep a Giant Poodle as a pet. Giant Poodles are known for their active and alert nature, as well as their elegant and graceful movements. They have a well-proportioned body and agile actions.
1. Heart Disease
Dogs with heart disease are often associated with obesity and old age. When dogs have heart disease, they mainly show symptoms such as easy fatigue, difficulty breathing, and rapid breathing. It is difficult to detect heart disease in dogs, and often the owner only realizes it when the dog is seriously ill.
2. Infectious Diseases
Canine distemper and canine parvovirus are common and highly fatal infectious diseases in dogs. Dogs that have not been vaccinated in time are prone to these two infectious diseases, and once infected, they may exhibit symptoms such as lethargy, decreased appetite, fever, vomiting, and diarrhea.
3. Kidney Disease
Speaking of common diseases and symptoms in dogs, we have to mention kidney disease. The terribleness of kidney disease in dogs lies in its asymptomatic development. When the owner realizes it, the dog's renal cells have been damaged more than 75%. When dogs have kidney problems, the symptoms usually include hematuria, abnormal urine color, and changes in urination habits.
4. Parasites
Roundworms, hookworms, and heartworms are common parasites that infect dogs. When dogs are infected with intestinal parasites, the main symptoms include emaciation, depression, diarrhea, presence of worms in the stool, and pale gums. Heartworms are parasites that live in the dog's heart. Dogs infected with heartworms may show symptoms such as decreased vitality, coughing, anemia, wheezing, and abdominal effusion.
5. Canine Pneumonia
Pneumonia is also a common disease in dogs, but it is often a complication of other diseases. It often occurs in dogs with abnormalities in the upper respiratory system, bacterial infections, canine distemper infections, viral influenza infections, impaired lung function, and heartworm infections. Cough, nasal congestion, and fever are the main symptoms of canine pneumonia.
Newborn period: The newborn period is when the puppy is just born, relying mainly on mother's milk for survival. The body cannot regulate its temperature and needs the mother to generate heat for insulation. On the first day, there is no hearing or vision, and the puppy can only locate the teat with weak touch. Around day 13, the puppy's eyes open, and around day 15, hearing develops. Teeth start to grow around day 20. From day 21 to 28, the amount of mother's milk is not enough, and the transition from liquid to semi-solid food is needed. This is a time when diarrhea and constipation can easily occur, so lactose enzyme and probiotics must be fed, or the puppy can be given goat milk powder/pet milk powder. If constipation occurs when consuming milk powder, a small amount of vegetable oil can be fed, and massaging the abdomen can help with bowel movements. Deworming begins at 14-28 days old.
Early age: 1 month to 2 months old. The puppy's digestive system is not fully developed at this time and requires careful care from the owner. Generally, the puppy should be fed at least 3 times a day, with small meals according to the puppy's condition. Soak the dog food in warm water or goat milk powder and feed it little by little. Do not feed too much, otherwise the puppy may have poor digestion. Make sure to give the puppy drinking water, but never feed milk as it can cause diarrhea. It is recommended to give the puppy a little probiotics every day to regulate the digestive system. During this time, the puppy has weak resistance to viruses and bacteria, so it should not be taken outside or in contact with people with colds to prevent the puppy from getting sick. Immunization starts at 6-7 weeks old and ends at 3 months old. It is best to bathe the puppy after immunization. In the earlier stages, dry washing powder can be used for bathing. Teeth start to grow at 19-28 days old and all deciduous teeth grow out at 2 months old. The puppy has some learning abilities and can start being trained to use designated areas for toileting.
Adolescence: 3 months to 6 months old. At this time, the puppy can gradually transition from soaked dog food to dry dog food. The puppy's eating schedule should be adjusted slowly, and it is best to make the puppy's mealtime more regular. During this period, the puppy still eats dog food and drinks water. However, the puppy's bones and muscles grow rapidly, requiring an adequate amount of protein and calcium. The puppy's fur also gradually changes into adult fur, which is a critical period for coat care and may have an awkward appearance. The puppy may show dominance during this time, trying to establish its own territory and dominate its owner. Destructive behavior may increase. The puppy's body length and height develop rapidly and lose baby fat, so it needs a moderate amount of exercise every day to maintain its body growth.
Sexual maturity: 8 months to 14 months old. At this stage, the puppy enters sexual maturity and experiences its first estrus. The first estrus can easily cause hormonal imbalances and disrupt the estrus cycle. Prolonged estrus, no estrus, or pseudopregnancy can lower the breeding rate and increase the difficulty of delivery. Nutritional supplements to promote reproduction are needed during this time, such as vitamin E, organic chromium, folic acid, etc. It is important to note that breeding should not be done during the first estrus. Hygiene should be maintained during the estrus phase to prevent infection. If not intending to breed, spaying can be done after the estrus ends.
Adolescence: 6 months to 10 months old, 6 months to 18 months old. At this stage, the puppy can fully eat dry dog food and can also be appropriately fed with some meat to enrich the nutrition, such as boiled beef and chicken. However, it is important not to feed the puppy chicken or duck bones, as it can lead to poor bone development. If necessary (such as poor nutrition, weakness, picky eating, etc.), some nutritional supplements can be given. Depending on the puppy's condition, choose supplements for vitamins, calcium, protein, or coat maintenance. Avoid excessive supplementation and avoid giving a large amount of supplements all at once out of excessive concern for the puppy. Gradual and continuous adjustment is needed. At this time, the puppy's bones and muscles grow rapidly, requiring a significant amount of protein and calcium. The puppy becomes curious, has strong cognitive abilities, and has a good memory. It is the best period for learning.
Adult: Dogs from 1 year old to 6 years old. The dog reaches adulthood at around 1 year old, and its physical size and body shape will not have significant changes from then onwards. During this stage, it is still normal to feed the dog with dog food, and there are no excessive dietary restrictions. However, it is still important to supplement nutrients in moderation, avoid feeding chicken or duck bones, avoid salty and spicy foods, feed cooked food instead of raw food, and avoid consuming animal fats. If the dog catches a cold or gets sick, it should be taken to a veterinary hospital in a timely manner. Self-diagnosis and self-medication should be avoided, unless you are a veterinarian. You should always take responsibility for your beloved pet's well-being.
Elderly stage: 8 years to 18 years old. Dogs over 8 years old are equivalent to over 50 years old in human age and have entered the "old age" stage of their lives. At this time, the dog's various organ functions decline, and age-related diseases such as diabetes, liver and kidney function decline, and bone and joint diseases are more likely to appear. Therefore, it is especially important to pay attention to calcium supplementation. One can choose to eat more soy products and cartilage, or use commercially available calcium supplements for dogs. Expose the dog to more sunlight and take more walks. Pay attention to hygiene and believe that your time with your beloved dog will be longer.
1. Do not bathe frequently
When bathing a dog, it is important not to do it too often. The frequency of bathing should depend on the dog's hygiene condition. In hot weather, you can bathe the dog one or two more times, while in winter, you can reduce it by one or two times. However, the total number of baths should not exceed 5 times. Otherwise, it can damage the dog's fur and skin!
2. Brush regularly
Dogs shed their fur almost every day, especially during spring and autumn when seasonal shedding is more severe. Brushing regularly is an important step for maintaining good coat quality. Pet owners can use specialized brushes to help remove naturally shed hair and prevent tangling. It is recommended to brush the dog once in the morning and once in the evening, for about five minutes each time.
3. Sunbathe
Sunbathing is beneficial for the growth of a dog's fur. Besides making the coat shinier, letting the dog sunbathe can also help with sterilization. While sunbathing, owners can let the dog do some exercise, which can improve its physical fitness, promote blood circulation, and help grow healthier fur.
4. Deworming
Unhealthy fur is often related to parasites. Parasites absorb a large amount of nutrients from the dog's body, depriving it of essential nutrition. Therefore, deworming is necessary. It is recommended to do both internal and external deworming. Deworming medication can cause significant harm to the dog's gastrointestinal system, so it is advised to supplement with probiotics regularly to relieve gastrointestinal discomfort.
5. Pay attention to diet
In order to have a shiny coat, dogs need to have a solid nutritional foundation, which requires attention to daily diet. On one hand, feed the dog with nutritious and healthy dog food, choosing a brand that meets the dog's nutritional needs. On the other hand, provide the dog with a moderate amount of lean meat, cooked egg yolks, and vegetable oil.