You might have heard this poodle breed called many different names including the French Poodle, Moyen Poodle, Chien Canne, and Klein Poodle. These dogs may not be recognized by the American Kennel Club, but Klein Poodles are a German purebred with a lot to offer.

Breed Overview

The Klein Poodle is small to medium in size and becoming increasingly popular in the United States. They are loyal, intelligent, and extremely goofy animals that make the perfect companion for families and individuals. While they can be a bit stubborn, the proper training can make them one of the best dogs that you’ve ever owned.

Klein Poodle Characteristics

Klein Poodle Puppies

While the Klein Poodle does have a lot of energy, it won’t be so much that it becomes overbearing. As long as you lead a fairly healthy lifestyle, these dogs are happy to keep up. Because of how intelligent they are, they are one of the easiest dog breeds you can train. This also means that they can be a bit stubborn when they want to.

Klein Poodles are primarily healthy, but there are a few wellness concerns that you’ll have to track as they age. Speaking of age, these dogs could be hanging around your side for up to 15 years, so make sure you’re dedicated to them the same way that they’ll be dedicated to you. Unlike some other dogs, you won’t have to worry about them being friendly to other dogs or strangers. These are generally very happy and welcoming dogs when you socialize them a bit.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Klein Poodle

After spending a few days around a Klein Poodle, the first thing you’ll notice is how smart they truly are. Poodles pick up on training easily, but that also means that they can easily learn bad habits. If you own one of these dogs, then you must be adamant about your training and teaching them right from wrong. Spoiled dogs are a pain to be around and hard to live with.

With that said, their intelligence isn’t the only good quality about them. They are polite to strangers and happy to welcome new friends into their lives. Many people describe these dogs as goofy and playful. They perform for the attention and don’t ever seem to get enough of it.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🧑‍🧑‍🧒

The Klein Poodle is eager to please its owners, and they’ll do just about anything to get on your good size. If training goes well, there is no reason that they can’t make wonderful family dogs and guard dogs. The more you introduce them to new places, people, noises, and situations, the better they are around others, including small children.

Things to Know When Owning a Klein Poodle:

Daydreaming about living with a Klein Poodle and actually owning one are two very different things. What should you expect from them, and what are you going to have to provide? Let’s take a closer look.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Although small, the Klein Poodle still has a lot of energy it likes to burn off. If you’re unsure about a safe food brand for this breed, ask your vet for some suggestions in different price ranges. Most of these dogs do well off high-quality kibble. Always follow the guidelines on the packaging for how much you should be feeding them. Usually, a cup and a half of kibble is enough to satisfy them.

Exercise 🐕

Even though they are smaller, this dog still requires a moderate amount of exercise. Even if you just spend 30 minutes to 1 hour playing with them every day, they are going to benefit from a little bit of exercise on a regular basis. This helps to keep obesity under control as well, which could lead to more serious health issues if not kept it check.

Training 🎾

Klein Poodles are extremely easy to train. Because they want to please you so badly, they are going to do whatever it takes to make you happy. Make sure you keep their sessions short but frequent. Only reward and encourage them instead of disciplining them when they don’t catch on to something.

Grooming ✂️

The most considerable demand from the poodle breed is constant grooming. Their coats are unique and require a lot of brushing, combing, and clipping to keep them from matting. They rarely shed, which is a perk for many people, but that doesn’t mean you can forget to take care of their coats. Give them a bath once every other week or take them to the groomer whenever possible. Clip the dogs’ nails whenever they get too long and brush their teeth a couple of times per week to ensure they have good dental hygiene.

Health and Conditions 🏥

3 Little-Known Facts About the Klein Poodle

1. Klein means small or mini in German.

The Klein Poodle name refers to the size of the poodle. Klein means small in German. Also called Moyen Poodles, this is the French word for medium. This poodle breed ranges from small to medium sizes, and you won’t have to worry about bringing a large dog into your home if they were bred properly.

2. There are disputes about their origin.

There have been quite a few disagreements about whether the Klein Poodle is German or French in origin. The AKC doesn’t currently recognize this breed, but they do say that they are German in origin but developed in France. Before they were settled in Europe, some people even thought that they came from central parts of Asia.

3. They are water-loving dogs.

Everything about a poodle is designed for the water. The right curls of the dog’s coat helped the dog swim better and kept them from getting wet and cold. They were once used as waterfowl retrievers, though their purpose evolved over time. However, they are still valued for their intelligence and hard work ethics.

Summary

It’s understandable why you’d be drawn to the Klein Poodle for a pet. These dogs have a whole lot of personality and seem to make many people in the world very happy pet owners. They are going to love you to a fault, and we wouldn’t doubt it if they became one of the best dog breeds you’ve ever owned. Even if you’re on the fence about bringing one home, it helps to do your research to determine if each of you would be a good fit for one another.

• See Also: Moyen vs Standard Poodle: The Differences (With Pictures)

Featured Image Credit: isjatina, Shutterstock