Poodles are generally good looking dogs that make great pets. If you are, however, looking for a Poodle with a striking color that will really stand out, you should consider going for the White Poodle.
What exactly is a White Poodle? A White Poodle is a purebred Poodle whose coat color is a striking, startling white, without any tinge of tan, cream, or yellow. The white coloration on their coat is a result of the action of a pair of recessive genes that block the formation of pigment in White Poodle’s coat hair.
Before making the decision to get yourself a White Poodle, you definitely want to be informed about everything that comes with owning a White Poodle. This article will cover everything about White Poodles, including how to keep your White Poodle white, what to feed them, their behavior and personality, and so on. But first, let’s answer one important question; are White Poodles born white?
Are White Poodles Born White?
True White Poodles are born with white coats and black points. Sometimes, puppies born with a cream or apricot coat will fade to white over time, but these are not recognized as true White Poodles.
It is also easy to confuse between White Poodles and Albino Poodles, since Albino Poodles also lack pigmentation. However, you can easily tell apart by looking at the points. White Poodles usually have black points and black eyes, while Albino Poodles will have lighter points (usually pink) and eyes.
Are White Poodles Rare?
Despite the white coloration in their coats being caused by recessive genes, White Poodles are not rare. Actually, the color white is the third most common Poodle color after black and brown.
While Poodle Appearance
Save for the white coat, there is no difference in appearance between White Poodles and other Poodle colors. You can expect your White Poodle to have a long and elegant neck, droopy ears, a long muzzle, a square shaped body with a straight back, long, lean legs, and a docked tail.
White Poodle Size
There are three distinct sizes of White Poodle. The smallest is the Toy White Poodle, which weighs between 4 to 7 lbs and gets no taller than 10 inches. The Miniature White Poodle can reach a height of up to 15 inches and weighs between 12 to 20 lbs. Finally, there is the standard White Poodle, which weighs between 45 to 75 lbs and can get to a height of up to 25 inches.
How Long Do White Poodles Live?
The lifespan of White Poodles is similar to that of other types of Poodle.
White Poodles will live for about 12 years on average. With proper care, and barring any health issues, it is possible for a White Poodle to live for up to 15 years.
Like with all other canines, there are some health issues that could affect your White Poodle and either shorten their lifespan or affect their quality of life. Some common health issues among White Poodles include:
Deafness
Researchers have confirmed that the gene that is responsible for white coats in dogs, including Poodles, is also associated with deafness. While this doesn’t mean that every White Poodle will automatically be deaf, they are found to face a higher risk of developing deafness compared to other Poodle colors.
Bloat
If you have a standard White Poodle, they are also at risk of developing bloat or gastric torsion. This is a life-threatening condition that is very common to dogs with big chests. This condition poses a risk only to standard sized White Poodles, and will not affect Toy or Miniature White Poodles.
Do White Poodles Smell?
White Poodles aren’t any more predisposed to bad odor compared to other dogs. If your White Poodle is smelling, this is a sign that something is wrong.
Either a smelly White Poodle could be dirty, in which case you need to give it a bath, or your beloved pooch could be suffering from an infection, in which case you’ll need to take it to the vet for a diagnosis.
How To Take Care Of White Poodles?
Dietary Needs
Good, high quality food is an absolute necessity if you want your White Poodle to grow normally and have good health. So, what should you feed your White Poodle?
Our top recommendation is Pet Plate dog food. We love the fact that Pet Plate dog food is rich in proteins, which are necessary for proper growth, doesn’t contain any grains, and is rich in minerals. In addition, you get 4 different recipes to choose from.
So, how much should you feed your White Poodle? This will depend on the size of your White Poodle. For Toy White Poodles, a cup a day will suffice, while Standard Poodles will require about 3 cups.
It is also important to get multivitamins to supplement your White Poodle’s diet, and to invest in dental water additives to prevent your canine buddy from suffering from tooth decay and other dental issues.
Exercise Requirements
White Poodles are active and high energy dogs like any other Poodle. Therefore, you’ll need to make sure that your White Poodle is getting enough exercise and mental stimulation every day. Depending on their size, a White Poodle will require about half an hour to an hour of exercise. The smaller your fido is, the less exercise they need.
The White Poodle is a great athlete and will make an amazing exercise buddy. You can have your White Poodle accompany you on walks and hikes, play fetch with them, or engage them in agility training. White Poodles are also great swimmers, so you can bring them along to the beach.
Do White Poodles Bark A Lot? Temperaments Of White Poodles
Poodles are known to be vocal dogs that bark for the flimsiest of reasons, and the White Poodle is no different. Therefore, if you are looking for a quiet dog, the White Poodle is not the right dog for you. While a White Poodle can be trained to reduce their barking, this won’t always be effective.
Temperament
Researchers have not found any link between white coat color and behavior differences in Poodles. Therefore, you can expect your White Poodle to have the same temperament as any other Poodle.
White Poodles are social and friendly dogs that enjoy the company of their family members. Their high energy level also makes them great companions for kids. Despite their friendly nature, White Poodles will sometimes show some reservation towards strangers.
Can White Poodles Be Left Alone?
White Poodles have this ability to form very strong bonds with their owners and family members, which is what makes them such great companion dogs. The downside to this, however, is that White Poodles can be quite clingy.
White Poodles don’t take well to being left alone. Loneliness in White Poodles often leads to separation anxiety and unwanted behavior, such as potty accidents and scratching of furniture.
Therefore, it is not recommended to get a White Poodle if your lifestyle doesn’t allow you to spend a lot of time with your four-legged buddy.
Are White Poodles Easy To Train?
According to Stanley Coren’s ranking list of dog intelligence, White Poodles are found to be clever dogs, which makes them easy to train. Keep the training interesting and your White Poodle will quickly learn all the commands.
How Do I Keep My White Poodle White? Grooming Tips For White Poodles
Bathing To Keep The Coat White
Owing to their white skin, it is a bit hard to keep a White Poodle clean and white. You’ll need to give your fido frequent baths to keep their coat from turning dull. So, how often should White Poodles be bathed? Giving your furry buddy a bath every 3 to 4 weeks will help keep their white hair clean and prevent browning.
It’s good to note that giving your doggie baths on a daily basis can be harmful to their skin if you are not careful, so you have to make sure that you use dog-friendly shampoos that will nourish their skin and help replenish the natural oils in your doggie’s coat.
For this, we recommend Seamus Cherry Blossom Whitening Dog Shampoo. This shampoo not only contains a mild formula that is good for your dog’s skin, it also helps to whiten and brighten their coat.
It is also important to wash your White Poodle’s face daily to prevent staining around the mouth and the eyes.
Are White Poodles Hypoallergenic?
Like all Poodles, the White Poodle has an almost non-shedding coat, which makes them very popular with people looking for a hypoallergenic dog.
Brushing The Coat To Prevent Matting
The curly hair on the White Poodle’s coat is highly prone to matting and tangling. To prevent this and get rid of dead hairs as well, it is important to brush your White Poodle every day.
To avoid skin injuries during brushing, always use a brushing tool that is designed for your dog’s safety, such as the Furminator Undercoat Tool. Clipping your doggie’s hair will also help prevent matting and tangling.
Related Questions
How Much Do White Poodles Cost? A White Poodle puppy will cost you anywhere between $1,000 and $5,000, depending on their size, pedigree. Since white is a common Poodle color, it doesn’t have any significant influence on price. However, the price could also be affected by other factors like breeder reputation, whether the pup has been spayed or neutered, and so on.
Why Do White Poodles Turn Pink? White Poodles will sometimes turn pink due to saliva staining. This usually happens in the areas where the dog licks themselves frequently. White Poodles can also change color due to frequent exposure to sunlight, or absorption of minerals when they swim in a pool or lake or when they walk through wet ground.
Can A White Poodle Have Black Skin? While most White Poodles are born with pinkish skin, the skin will sometimes turn dark as the pup grows older. This happens due to prolonged exposure to sunlight and is nothing to worry about. However, if the skin turns black and is accompanied by other symptoms like loss of hair, irritation or itching, this is a sign of a skin infection.
