When it comes to pop culture, the Miniature Poodle appears less frequently than its predecessor, the Standard Poodle. Despite this, the breed has been the subject of some literary works and has made numerous appearances in films. One of the earliest and most memorable odes to the Miniature Poodle was the 1963 novel Every Night, Josephine!, written by Jacqueline Susann. The titular character is based on Susann’s real life Miniature Poodle and the book was based on several letters which Susann wrote about her dog. With the encouragement from a friend, she decided to turn it into a full-length novel.

The book is Susann’s funny memoir which details the story of how the author ventured into the world of pedigree dogs. She acquires a Miniature Poodle, whom she named Josephine, and soon starts a colorful life with the canine. What Susann initially thought would be a master-pet relationship turned out to be the exact opposite as the spoiled pooch starts to take over the assertive role between the two. In fact, Josephine becomes sort of a celebrity in her own right as she becomes Susann’s constant companion in her countless television appearances and other public encounters. Even Susann’s husband, who was a self-proclaimed dog hater, eventually succumbed to Josephine’s charms.

After its publication in 1963, Every Night, Josephine! sold over 1.7 million copies in paperback version and 35000 in hardback ones. For a time, the novel ranked #8 in the Times’ bestseller list and received positive acclaim from various critics. Susann even embarked on book tours with Josephine tagging along, where they were usually spotted sporting similar outfits. While this memoir was not Jacqueline Susann’s most successful one (in terms of sales), it was one of her most memorable and affectionate works. Even Susann herself has been quoted saying that it was her favorite among all her novels. The book became a classic among pet lovers and fans of the author. It also gave people a glimpse of the Miniature Poodle and its quirky, sassy attitude and funny antics.

The Miniature Poodle can also be seen in a number of movies. The 1984 Walt Disney film Frankenweenie, directed by Tim Burton, is a spoof version of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. It is about a boy named Victor who brings his dog back to life after getting hit by a car. In the movie, the dog, a Bull Terrier called Sparky falls in love with a nameless Miniature Poodle, whose fur resembles the “Bride of Frankenstein”. Other films where Miniature Poodles can be spotted include Bingo!, Ruthless People, Sabrina, and Elvira Mistress of the Dark.