Appearance of the Eng-A-Poo
|
The Eng-A-Poo is a small dog, generally weighing less than 6.5 kilos as an adult, with a short body and relatively long legs. Brown or white in color, the Eng-A-Poo's coat will vary according to the traits it inherits from its parent breeds, and may be straight, curly or wavy. Facial features may be more indicative of one breed or another, with the Poodle having a long muzzle and the Spaniel a shorter, flatter nose with wide nostrils. Its head may be domed, as with the influence of the Spaniel, or more refined and pointed like the Poodle, and its ears will be long and rather feathery. His eyes are always dark and bright, with an air of courage and intelligence, and his gait is open and cheerful. |
Temperament of the Eng-A-Poo
|
The Eng-A-Poo will inherit its temperament from its parent breeds. It is known to be shy with new people at first, then very affectionate and loyal to family members. As a general rule, the Eng-A-Poo will be intelligent, although the ease with which he trains will depend on whether he is attached to his generally eager-to-please Poodle parent or his independent and sometimes difficult-to-train King Charles Spaniel parent. An Eng-A-Poo will like to be surrounded by his family and will do well with other dogs. Socialization will help the Eng-A-Poo get along with other pets and children. Young children who are very noisy and don't treat the Eng-A-Poo gently can overwhelm it. |
Needs and activities of the Eng-A-Poo
|
While the Poodle is generally very energetic, the King Charles Spaniel is less active and needs less exercise. It's likely that your Eng-A-Poo will require moderate activity. He should be given toys to play with to keep him occupied indoors, and will enjoy a walk once or twice a day. An Eng-A-Poo will enjoy spending time at the dog park as well as running and playing in a fenced yard. He may enjoy obedience or agility, as the Poodle parent is known to excel in these sports. Because of its small size, the Eng-A-Poo will live well in an apartment. |
Maintenance of the Eng-A-Poo
|
The care of your Eng-A-Poo will depend on the coat it inherits. It will probably be important to groom your Eng-A-Poo regularly to keep its coat knot-free and clean. Brushing his coat several times a week with a good-quality pincushion brush and giving him a bath as needed should suffice. The fur around his eyes and in his ears should be trimmed. His coat can also be clipped by a groomer if necessary. He may experience tear stains on his fur, so gently wipe the area around his eyes. His teeth should be brushed at least every other day to prevent tartar build-up. His long ears should be checked for moisture and dirt, especially if he's a fan of water. |