Poodles are one of Malaysia's most popular dog breeds. They've been around for centuries and are popular with many royals worldwide, including our neighbour Thailand.
These intelligent canines were initially bred to be water retrievers, so their name was derived from the German word "pudel”.
We won't sugarcoat it; owning a poodle is a long-term commitment that requires extensive training and financial investment! But don’t let that put you off; becoming a dog owner in Malaysia is a rewarding experience that greatly enriches your life.
In this article, we'll give you a step-by-step guide to owning a poodle in Malaysia, including:
- the different types of poodles
- how to choose a poodle that complements your lifestyle
- what you should know before adopting/owning a poodle
- where to buy a dog poodle and;
- how much does a dog poodle cost in Malaysia
Let’s get into it.
The Different Types of Poodles
To start, we need to know that there are three main types of poodles: toy, miniature and standard poodles.
Toy poodles
The smallest of the three would be a toy poodle. A toy poodle can reach a height of 25 cm and a weight of 3 - 4 kg.
Miniature poodle
A miniature poodle is the second smallest among the three. A miniature poodle can grow to between 28 - 37 cm tall and 6.8 - 8 kg in weight.
Standard poodles
A standard poodle on the other hand is much larger than the other ones. They are typically 38 cm or taller (averages about 56cm), where the male standard poodles weigh between 20 and 31 kg, while females weigh between 20 and 27 kg.
In addition to different sizes, poodles come in various colours, including black, white, cream, brown, blue, grey, apricot, and red.
Because of their small size, toy and miniature poodles are more common in Malaysia. To keep their maintenance costs low, most dog owners prefer smaller-sized pooches.
It is common to see many poodles selectively bred with other dog breeds in our country. This includes:
- Shih Tzu poodles (also known as shih-poo)
- Maltipoos (a cross between a poodle and maltese)
- Labradoodles (a cross between a poodle and a labrador)
- Cavapoos (a cross between a poodle and a king charles spaniel).
It is also worth noting that the infamous teacup poodles result from selective breeding rather than a natural variation of the poodle breed. Here's an infographic on the different variations of poodle dogs.
Nature of a poodle dog
Poodles are well-known for their intelligence. They are frequently featured in videos on the internet performing tricks like catching balls, jumping through hoops, balancing on two legs and walking backwards, are quick to learn new tricks and obedience.
They are much more intelligent than other smaller dog breeds in Malaysia, such as the Shih Tzu, Schnauzer, and Pomeranian, and can quickly learn new commands and rules.
A poodle, however, requires more mental stimulations than the other breeds mentioned. When left alone for an extended period without proper attention, obedience training and active playtime, they can become irritable or destructive.
Characteristics of a poodle dog
Living space
Because of the size differences between toy, miniature, and standard poodles, it's essential to make sure the poodle you get can live comfortably in your living space.
Toy and miniature poodles are ideal for people who live in apartments or don't have enough space at home for a larger dog.
If you want to get a standard poodle as a pet, make sure you have enough room in your living space for the dog to move and run around.
Weather-tolerance
Poodles can tolerate hot weather and moderately cold weather, so our ever-changing Malaysian weather is no problem.
Dog training with poodles
If you lead a hectic lifestyle, getting a poodle may not be the best choice. Poodles need proper training and firm leadership to learn how to behave.
Because they are one of the more intelligent dog breeds, their minds must be kept occupied so that they do not become bored and make their own choices, which are frequently shoe biting or rug chewing.
As a result, you'll have to invest your time in training them during the early stages of their life. On a related note, they can develop attachments to their owners quickly, so don't leave them alone for too long!
Other characteristics of a dog poodle
Aside from that, poodles are more friendly and playful than other dog breeds. They are also friendly with strangers and other dogs.
Being affectionate goes hand in hand with being sensitive with these pups. Because of that, harsh punishment methods, such as sending them to their crates or not paying them any attention, will not work.
Poodles should be trained using positive reinforcement techniques such as positive affirmations and treats when they follow commands correctly.
Exercise Required for Poodles
Despite appearances, these little furballs are bursting at the seams with energy! A couple of walks a day would suffice to tire them out. Furthermore, playtime activities such as catch or frisbee would help with their energy levels.
If you want to keep them mentally engaged, keep puzzle toys around the house.
As mentioned earlier in the article, poodles were originally bred to be water retrievers, so they naturally enjoy water. Swimming is a low-impact exercise that should be included in their exercise routine if at all possible.
Pet swimming is available at some Petsmore Malaysia locations, including Desa Park City (DPC) and Kota Damansara in Kuala Lumpur.
DPC also has a large dog park that is popular with dog owners. If you want to start training your poodle by exposing him to other dogs, this could be a good place to start.
Grooming for poodles
The dog fur…
If you're allergic to dog fur but want to get a dog as a pet, look no further. Poodles are the best choice for a pet because they rarely shed and have hair instead of fur.
However, because they rarely shed, you must comb them out frequently to prevent loose hair from becoming matted under their coat. Ideally, you should comb them every day to make sure their coat stays healthy and clean.
Besides that, poodles are known for having 'teary' eyes, which stain the hair beneath their eyes and are more noticeable if your poodle has a lighter coat. To help with this, use alcohol-free wipes or a damp washcloth to clean around their eyes daily.
Check the ingredients of the wipes you use, as most Malaysian wipes contain a small percentage of alcohol. If you use an alcohol-based wipe, it can irritate your pet's eye and cause an infection.
So always be careful.
Be wary of their floppy ears
Because poodles have floppy ears, it's also important to check them at least three times a week for dirt, bad odour, or redness that could indicate an infection.
Infections are more likely in pets with drop-down or floppy ears because the ear canal remains dark and moist.
To prevent this, wipe your poodle's ears weekly with a cotton ball and a gentle ear cleanser, which is available from most pet shops and veterinarians in Malaysia.
Trimming a poodle’s nails
Short, neatly trimmed nails keep your poodle's feet in good condition.
If your poodle’s nails don't wear down naturally, trim them once or twice a month. They're too long if you can hear them clicking on the floor.
It's best to have your poodle professionally groomed every six weeks to prevent its coat from becoming too long and unmanageable.
Diseases to look out for in poodles
Poodles, like any other dog breed, can develop certain health issues. A poodle-owner needs to look out for them. Here are some of the common health issues that can affect poodles:
- Hip Dysplasia: Dysplastic hip sockets occur when the hip socket is poorly formed, or the ligaments are loose enough to allow the ball of the thigh bone to slide partially out. Degeneration of the joint occurs over time, causing arthritis, pain, and even lameness.
- Patterlar Luxation: Patellar luxation occurs when the knee joint (mainly in the hind leg) slides in and out of place, resulting in pain. This condition can be crippling, but many dogs live relatively normal lives despite it.
- Optic Nerve Dysplasia: This is a congenital failure of the optic nerve development. In the affected eye, it causes blindness and abnormal pupil response.
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): PRA is a family of eye diseases that cause progressive retina deterioration, but many affected dogs adapt very well to their limited or loss of vision as long as their surroundings do not change.
- Addison’s Disease: This severe condition is caused by the adrenal gland's insufficient production of adrenal hormones. Most dogs with Addison's disease vomit, have a poor appetite and are sluggish. More severe symptoms appear when a dog is stressed or when potassium levels rise to the point where they interfere with heart function, resulting in severe shock and death. It's easy to overlook this disease as a diagnosis until it's too late.
If you are unsure about your pet's symptoms, remember to videotape them and bring them to your veterinarian.
Price of poodles in Malaysia
With so many desirable characteristics, it's no surprise that poodles are expensive dogs. Poodles' retail prices start at RM2000 and can cost up to RM5000 in Malaysia.
However, it’s important to note that toy and miniature poodles are more commonly bred and sold than standard poodles. Therefore, if you're looking for a standard poodle, the search might be a little more challenging.
Where to buy poodles in Malaysia?
With their rising popularity, poodles can be easily found in most places in Malaysia.
Before you begin your search, you can ask questions and get recommendations for places and tips by joining Facebook groups started by Malaysian poodle owners.
If you're ready to take the next step and can't wait to get a poodle, here are some places where you can adopt or buy one:
Dog adoption centres:
Places to buy a dog poodle:
- Poodle Malaysia Online Store
- PūDoRu Teddy Poodle Malaysia
- The Malaysian Kennel Association (Contact them directly for a list of accredited poodle breeders)
Disclaimer: Please conduct your due diligence before adopting or buying a poodle from the abovementioned places. Oyen is not affiliated with any of the businesses mentioned and will not be liable for any losses or inconveniences that happen from dealings with them.
Conclusion
Getting a pet is a big commitment, and it is important to do your research. We hope this article has helped to answer some of your poodle-related questions.
If you're a new pet owner, you may benefit from getting pet insurance that can help with any unforeseen medical issues and unavoidable vet visits.
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