Pootalian

Characteristics

Health & Longevity

Average Life Span: 12-15 years
Bred by crossing an Italian Greyhound with a Poodle, the Pootalian is an overall healthy pup in the first 8-9 years of its life. Unfortunately, both major and minor health issues can affect your pup as she ages. Based on her Poodle genetics, she could develop a few skin problems, such as allergies to grass, fleas, and mites, in the puppy stage. However, these types of minor health issues are easily managed through routine vet check-ups, a nutritious diet, and regular exercise.

Patellar Luxation

This condition occurs when the kneecap becomes dislocated from the femur groove. Pain or discomfort is rare for pups with this condition, but it can cause cartilage deterioration that can become painful over time. Symptoms are subtle and often overlooked. Your dog may develop a limp or awkward gait. Surgery is the preferred method for correcting this condition.

Addison Disease

This disease is caused by a flood of hormones from the adrenal glands. It can be detrimental to a Pootalian’s health, resulting in vomiting, severe weight loss, snippiness, explosive diarrhea, dehydration, and weakness. To remedy this condition, most vets recommend hormone injections every 3-4 weeks. These are treatments that your Pootalian will have to continue for the rest of her life.

Other health issues that may plague your Pootalian include hypothyroidism, Cushing’s disease, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, cherry eyes, epilepsy, and cataracts. Despite several health problems that might become prevalent in old age, the Pootalian has an average lifespan of 12-15 years. This is, on average, three more years than their parent breeds.

Temperament & Train-ability

At first, the Pootalian is a wary, cautious, alert pup with a tendency to bark and growl at strangers. After she gets to know you, she is a sweet, affectionate pup, but bonding is crucial to her obedience. These crossbreed dogs are not good with children or other pets. She is best suited in a singles or couples home, but more than two people could cause her anxiety to rise. Close bonds are essential to ensuring this crossbreed is well-behaved and loving.

The Pootalian commonly sees small animals, and sometimes children, as prey to pounce upon. She might take off chasing squirrels, rabbits, or even other dogs. To avoid confrontations or dog fights, keep her in a quiet, calm atmosphere. She can sometimes suffer from separation anxiety, so don’t leave her alone for long periods of time. If you are planning on being away for a significant period, make sure you work months ahead of time to bond her with a close, trusted friend that can keep her while you’re away.

Pootalians, while small and compact, are energetic and active. They need plenty of exercise to balance out their energy. Lack of exercise could lead to destructive mannerisms, such as furniture chewing or going to the bathroom inside the house. She needs at least two walks per day, the longer, the better. She could easily adapt to living in a studio apartment. Fenced-in yards are a plus, but not a requirement. If you are going to take her to a dog park, start at an early age so she can get used to other dogs. She’ll never truly feel comfortable around other pups, but she may tolerate them long enough to play a round of tag or two. Watch her closely to ensure she doesn’t instigate a dog fight.

Training-wise, the Pootalian is difficult to train. She gets bored quickly, distracted easily, and she has a huge stubborn streak. She is highly intelligent, but she may try to be the dominant one in your pack. Be firm and consistent in your commands. Make sure she knows that you are the alpha; otherwise, she’ll continue to be disobedient. Keep her training sessions positive and encouraging. Never, ever strike your Pootalian. This could lead to severe aggression problems towards you and anyone else in the house.

Grooming

Commonly, the Pootalian winds up with a short, coarse coat of wiry fur. She is low-shedding most of the time, but she sheds more in hot weather. Brush her at least three times per week to keep excess hair at a minimum. You should also bathe her once a month to keep her fur smooth and free of debris. She may need a professional groomer to trim her coat every 6-8 weeks. Unfortunately, due to her wariness of strangers, you may have to muzzle her so a groomer can see her.

Brush your Pootalian’s teeth at least four times a week. Trim her nails every six weeks, but be careful to avoid nicking the quicks. This is also a task you can ask your professional groomer to perform. Clean her ears with warm water and a cotton swab once a week.

Diet

Pootalians can be picky when it comes to their food. She needs 1 cup of dry kibble a day, divided into two meals (breakfast and dinner). Her kibble should be nutritious and wholesome, comprised of whole grains, lean meats, and vegetables. Check the ingredients list on your preferred brand to make sure it’s free of by-products and fillers.
 

Find A Pootalian Breeder

Pootalian Puppies For Sale

Adopt A Pootalian

Cost

Because of their aggressive tendencies, the Pootalian isn’t a popular crossbreed. Most people are looking for family dogs, but the Pootalian does better as a solitary pup in a single or couple’s home.

If you would love to nurture and train a Pootalian, check your local animal shelters first. You might get lucky with an adoption fee between $100 to $175. Or, go to a reputable breeder. You can expect a brand new Pootalian puppy to be between $200 to $500.

Paws ‘N’ Pups Ranking

Paws ‘N’ Pups ranks every breed out of 4 with 1 being easiest to integrate into your life and 4 being the toughest – The lower the ranking the better.

Ranking takes into account a few basic factors including cost, skill level needed, high vs low maintenance and how critical regular training is to success. This pup ranks a 3.5. The Pootalian is a difficult crossbreed to own because she requires patience. She can be quite a big, time-consuming responsibility. Her inability to tolerate most other pets and children makes her a bad choice for a family dog. However, once bonded with someone, her love and loyalty are endless and undeniable. You will know the moment she decides to care for you, as she’ll become the most affectionate, loving dog you’ve ever owned.

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Poodle

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