Do Toy Poodles get Along with Cats?

Making the decision to bring a toy poodle into a home that is already occupied by a pet cat can be a little nerve wrecking to many people. There are so many stories out there that warn about bringing these two animals together under one roof because it’s simply impossible for them to get along. Well forget all of that! Cases of aggression between cats and dogs are purely situational and you shouldn’t let that scare you off from bringing a new furry child into your home!

The poodle breed is actually one of the most cat-friendly breeds there is, so nine times out of ten, you have nothing to worry about. Just to be on the safe side though, you may want to consider a little introduction before any big decisions are made. If you find a toy poodle that you are just absolutely in love with, find out if you can bring him home for a night to see how he interacts with your cat. You should be able to know immediately whether this is a good or bad idea. Keep in mind that one may just need some time to get used to having the other around all of the time.

I’ve actually come across a really sweet story recently about a Siamese cat and a toy poodle that have grown up together. When they were younger, the two pets had their own quarrels here and there but as they’ve gotten up there in age and the 14-year-old toy poodle has developed some serious tummy issues, the cat has taken on a nurse role. As Bridget the toy poodle curls up in her doggie bed for a little relaxation, SaLel the cat climbs in right next to her to offer some comfort and companionship. Years ago, trying to climb into Bridget’s doggie bed would have probably earned SaLel a warning growl, but now it seems to be a welcome relief.

It’s important to remember that even if your cat and dog get a little riled up sometimes, there’s a difference between playful fights and aggressive fights. As a naturally protective breed, your poodle will have an urge to protect his family, and that will include your pet cat as well once he gets used to the idea. It’s likely that over time, the two will even grow to care for each other just as much as Bridget and SaLel.

(Posted by Linda DeBlauw of Scarlet's Fancy)

Fun Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Dogs

Here at Scarlet’s Fancy, it’s not much of a secret that we absolutely love dogs – especially our toy poodles! So when we come across something truly interesting and adorable about our furry little friends, we want to make sure that we share it with our readers!

This time around, we’ve stumbled upon a great article from barkpost.com, a great website dedicated to all things canine, that highlights 21 mind blowing facts you probably never knew about dogs. We’re sure that there will even be one or two that you won’t even believe are possible! Here’s just a few that stood out the most to us:

-The average dog is as intelligent as a two-year-old child; they can understand up to 250 words and gestures, can count up to five and can even perform simple mathematical calculations!

-“A Day in the Life” by The Beatles has an extra high-pitched whistle that can only be heard by dogs. Paul McCartney recorded it for his Shetland sheepdog to enjoy.

-Service dogs are trained to know when they are on duty. When their harness is on, it’s all business but when it is off, they become playful and energetic almost immediately.

-Professional golfer, Tiger Woods had a problem with stuttering when he was a child; he would talk to his dog until he fell asleep in an effort to get rid of it.

-A dog’s wet nose is essential when it comes to determining what direction a smell is coming from.

-There are some stray dogs in Russia that have managed to figure out how to use the subway system, as a means of traveling to more populated areas in search of food.

-When drinking water, dogs actually use the back of their tongues by forming it into a mini cup.

To check out the full list of interesting facts about dogs, visit the Bark Post website! Know a few that didn’t quite make the list? Let us know! We’re always eager to hear great facts and stories about everyone’s best friend!

Research Shows That Owning a Dog Can Improve Your Health

If you’re a dog owner yourself, you’ve probably picked up on this once or twice over the years, but amazingly enough, there now seems to be some proof in the matter: owning a dog really can be beneficial to your health!

There is now scientific research that has proven that dogs do hold healing powers and can improve their owner’s physical and mental health. There are very practical ways in which dogs help us to be healthier; they are great and reliable companions, they need to be walked (which keeps us active) and they can give us a sense of peace and security in the home.

University of Florida researchers found that dogs can have the capability for detecting many diseases and illnesses before their owners notice any symptoms. Such illnesses as seizures and migraines have been detected by dogs just by noticing small details, like the quivering lips of their owners.

Not only can dogs sense the beginning of physical illness, but they can also detect mental conditions as well. Service dogs have been given to soldiers returning from war in the Middle East, and were able to provide emotional support to the soldiers during panic attacks. The Department of Defense has recently used this as a form of treatment for soldiers suffering from trauma.

Most certainly, owning a dog is a lot of fun, brings joy to the dogs and their companions, and creates a family atmosphere inside the home. For more interesting facts on the healing capabilities of your furry friend, check out the infographic below! Let us know which factors may have surprised you! 

by ZocDoc.
Explore more infographics like this one on the web's largest information design community - Visually.

Toy Poodles are Extremely Intelligent and Can be Trained to do Incredible Things! [VIDEO]

If you’ve taken the time to read through the Scarlet’s Fancy website in the past, you’ll notice how we mentioned that poodles are a particularly intelligent breed. While some other dogs may take years to properly train, poodles are able to pick up on things fairly easily and can be trained, not only with the basics, but to do some remarkable tricks as well.

I know what you’re thinking: every breeder will come up with ways to tell you that their breed is the best in one way or another. While I’m not technically claiming that toy poodles are the best breed, (that’s for you to decide!) I can understand your hesitation. That’s why when I come across cool ways to show how truly intelligent and fun-loving these pups are, I obviously jump at the chance! This time, it comes in the form of an extremely entertaining toy poodle named Inji, who so obviously demonstrates how incredible and highly responsive the breed can be.

Check out the unbelievable video below and see for yourself!

Miniature and Toy Poodles are the Ideal Choice for Apartment Living

For those who consider themselves to be “dog people”, apartment hunting can be pretty terrible. You want that companionship so badly, but landlord after landlord tells you that they have a no dog policy. What are you supposed to do? Keep looking. While they are few and far between, there are plenty of quality apartment complexes that allow renters to have a small to medium-sized dog, and we know the perfect pup to fit the bill.

According to VetStreet.com, miniature and toy poodles are among 13 dog breeds that are most ideal for apartment living. Being so small, these two particular types of poodles do very well in smaller spaces, not needing much room to get the exercise that they need. Additionally, as an extremely intelligent breed in general, poodles are easy to train, so you don’t have to worry too much about your pet making a mess or having accidents indoors as much as you might with another breed.

Another great advantage to living in a smaller space with a miniature or toy poodle is the fact that you won’t be overtaken by a coating of dog hair on every surface. In a smaller space, a build-up of dog hair can become much more noticeable as compared to what you might experience in a larger home. Fortunately for apartment dwellers, the poodle breed does not shred. However, you should still make regular trips to the groomers for a trim to maintain the good health of your pet’s fur, making the act of dealing with your poodle’s coat both maintenance- and stress-free.

For more information about bringing a miniature or toy-sized poodle home to your apartment, please feel free to contact Scarlet’s Fancy today. We’d be more than happy to answer any questions you may have about this particular breed.

Keeping your Toy Poodle Comfortable in the Hot Summer Weather

With the hot summer weather lingering close as we get farther and farther into June, it’s very important that you make sure your toy poodle is safe and comfortable when out in the blistering sun. From reading a few of our earlier blog posts, I’m sure that most of you could figure out that here at Scarlet’s Fancy, we’re big fans of the teddy bear cut. While you may believe that now is the time to take your pup to the groomers and shave some of that gorgeous fur off, keep in mind that you’re only going to leave them more exposed to the sunlight.

Go ahead and make an appointment for a little trim, but that thick, fluffy fur that goes along with a teddy bear cut is actually going to keep your little one much cooler and a lot more comfortable over all. Remember, dogs don’t sweat like we do in this heat! (Lucky ones!)

Want to learn a few more helpful tips on how to keep your pooch safe and happy this summer? Check out this great infographic below! Remember, if you have any additional questions about how to keep your toy poodle comfy, contact Scarlet’s Fancy today! We’d be more than happy to help you out!

Hot Weather Tips For Your Pet infographic