Breed Characteristics:
Apartment Friendly
?How well will this breed adapt to apartment living? Is the apartment size the most important factor when it comes to proper living conditions? Is the breed suitable for apartment living?
Good For First-Time Owners
?Some dogs aren't suitable for first-time dog owners. Is this breed a good match for someone with no dog experience? Can training help them be on their best behavior with owners with no dog experience? Are they suitable to be handled by someone who is just entering the canine world?
Overall Sensitivity
?Some dogs are sensitive. Certain breeds are rough on the outside, while having the softest heart on the inside. In other words, some dogs are 'thick-skinned' while some are 'easygoing.' Is this breed prone to sensitivity?
Tolerates Being Alone
?Separation anxiety in dogs is a serious condition that can affect a dog's life quality. Is this breed prone to this condition? Can you leave him alone for hours? How destructive this breed can become when bored, neglected, or not loved enough?
Affectionate With Family
?How affectionate this breed will be around his humans? Will he welcome new family friends easily or he will choose to be shy? Some breeds can be clingy with owners, while others don't attach a lot. Will this breed act as the family's best friend?
Kid-Friendly
?Some dogs will tolerate children, while others will adore well-behaved ones. Dogs and children should always be supervised, no matter how well trained the dog might be. Will this breed act as a nanny dog or he will stay away from children?
Friendly Toward Other Dogs
?Some dog breeds cannot wait to run to the dog park and run with others. Others prefer to be with their humans, and not to be a part of a multi-pet household. Is this breed dog lover or not? How friendly this breed will be toward other dogs?
Friendly Toward Strangers
?Some dog breeds tend to be reserved toward strangers and highly suspicious. Others are fast to walk away with them easily. How welcoming this breed is toward strangers?
Drooling Level
?If you love to clean all the time drooling level in dogs is a trait that you should mind. Is this breed less likely to drool, or you will always need a towel on hand?
Easy To Groom
?Heavier shedding during the shedding season is something that every dog needs to go through. However, some dogs shed just a bit all year round. Is this breed one of them? How often should you groom this dog?
Overall Health
?What can you expect from this breed in terms of health? Are there any genetic conditions to vary about? Is obesity a major issue in this breed? By knowing more about the dog's health, you are learning how to help him live a longer and healthier life.
Prone To Obesity
?Treats are a great addition to training sessions. Dogs love sweet bites of dog treats but they should be served in moderation. Treats can lead to obesity, next to poor nutrition. Can this breed gain extra weight from treats? How prone to obesity this breed actually is?
Trainability Level
?Training some dogs is easier than others. How easy this dog will be to train? What can you expect? Some dogs are huge people pleasers and they will master commands easily, while others will try to outsmart you.
Intelligence Level
?Dogs are smart beings. We do our best to train them, but they do still end up training us to adapt to their needs. How intelligent is this breed? Will he try to outsmart you? Or he will need multiple training sessions to master basic commands?
Prey Drive
?Dogs were bred for a specific purpose. Those who were bred to hunt have natural instincts to hunt, even today. This is why many dogs, like Terriers, will chase other animals. They will also have a hard time concentrating on your commands when there is something small moving. Is this breed prone to following his prey instincts?
Barking Level
?How vocal this breed is? Can you expect neighbors to ring you often to calm your dog? Or you can sleep without worries of hearing your Fido bark? Some breeds are highly vocal, others have unusual sounds, and some are silent. Is this breed prone to barking?
Energy Level
?Low-energy dogs are happy with regular walks and indoor chill times. High-energy dogs are always ready for action. Is this breed a couch potato, energetic dog, or somewhere in between?
Exercise Needs
?Some dogs are more than happy with a slow stroll down the street. Others need hours of active time to stay happy and fit. Is this breed demanding in terms of exercise? How much exercise this breed needs to stay happy and healthy?
Playfulness Level
?Some dogs never lose that puppy spirit, not even in their senior years. Others are more serious and prefer having a job to do. Is this breed demanding in terms of playfulness? Can you expect playfulness in their senior years as well?
If you want a really smart dog who will be next to you no matter what and be able to perform almost every trick in the book then Poodle is the breed to consider.
They come in three sizes: Standard, Miniature, and Toy.
Each type can come in different colors, including black, white, or apricot.
Within the canine world, Poodle stands for being a true dog aristocrat. They are always curly and with a low-allergen coat that enables that elegant look.
Poodles are the smartest dogs alive and high intelligence is present in each size: Standards should be more than 15 inches tall at the shoulder; Miniatures are 15 inches or under; Toys stand no more than 10 inches.
All three varieties are well-built, having the same build and proportions. Poodles may appear as nobles of the canine world, but they are real athletes in fact.
They are agile, alert, and eager to perform any trick in a matter of seconds.
If you are ready to have a standard Poodle you should know that this dog will try to show you just how smarter than you he is, therefore be prepared for some great humor.
Now, let’s learn more about Standard Poodle and what you can expect from this smart breed.
Quick Facts
Real name: Poodle
Other names: Standard Poodle
Origin: Germany/France
Breed type: Companion Dogs
Weight: 6 to 70 pounds
Height: From 10 to over 22 inches tall at the shoulder
Lifespan: 12 – 15 years
Litter Size: 4 – 6 puppies
Color: Chestnut red, pure black, tricolour (pure black and chestnut red), or brindle
Coat: Short, soft coat
Poodle History
Everyone knows that Poodle is a national dog of France. However, it’s important to be accurate on the breed’s origin and to note that Poodles originated in Germany, not in France.
Many believe that Poodles are 100% French dogs, but the truth is that they are so adored by French people, that no one thinks that they could be from any other country.
Although Poodle is the national dog of France, the breed’s name is still pretty much German.
The name comes from the German word, “pudel” or “pudelin,” which means “to splash in the water.”
In France, Poodles are best-known as the Caniche, or translated ‘duck dog.’ In Germany, Poodle was a duck hunter.
The Standard Poodle began its development more than 400 years ago.
At the time, Poodle was a retrieving water dog, who has an amazing coat that served as protection.
These dogs were known for their amazing swimming capabilities and superb intelligence within the canine world. These historical roots are the main reason why Poodle was and is today, a great retrieving dog.
Bear in mind that Standard Poodle is a companion dog but is often labeled as a dog with a true sporting spirit, while the standard and the miniature versions are non-sporting dogs.
Thanks to its appearance, and lavishing coat, Poodle could easily move from being working dogs to becoming full-time companion dogs.
These dogs were seen as elegant and in no time they were recognized as the noble dogs of France.
Eventually, the whole of Europe fall in love with this breed, and owning them was a true sign of luxury.
Since they were, and still are, natural entertainers and highly intelligent dogs, there was a time when they were known as circus dogs across Europe.
Next to this job, for some periods they were busy as truffle hunters, thanks to their excellent nose.
As expected, the Standard Poodle was bred down to the Miniature, while the Toy was bred in America in the early 20th century. Toy Poodle was supposed to be an ultimate city companion dog.
No matter which Poodle you get, you can be sure in one – each variety (as long as they are well-bred) are identical to each, other.
They are all smaller replicas of each other and are always bred to the same standard.
Poodle Physical Appearance
Standard Poodle is a very active and alert dog, ready to hit the road. They are active dogs, and as such their bodies are carefully built to support their spirit.
They are squarely built, well balanced, well proportioned, and with lightfoot. When carefully and properly groomed, Poodle will always have a distinguishing look and strong dignity in appearance.
The Standard Poodle is commonly over 15 inches at the highest point of the shoulders.
Standard Poodle is a well-built dog, with muscle forelegs and hindlegs. Eyes are always dark and oval in shape. Ears are always located close to the head, set below eye level.
Ears are also long, wide, and noticeable feathered.
Skull is always moderately rounded, while cheekbones and muscles are flat. Teeth are white, and surprisingly strong, and always with a scissors bite.
The neck is well proportioned, while the chest are deep, and the tail is straight.
Poodles are known for their lavishing coat. Their coat is of harsh texture, dense, and corded. Grooming Poodle isn’t easy and should be left to professionals.
Poodle Personality
As a highly intelligent breed, Poodle will always show you their affection. They are loyal, loving, clingy in a way, and true mischievous beings.
Poodle is a proud owner of a unique attitude that’s a specific trait in this breed.
Poodle loves to play, and no matter how old your Poodle may be, you can always expect them to be ready to run a bit or play indoors. You can expect their mixes, such as large Pyredoodle, to be of similar personalities.
A well-trained Poodle will always have a calm disposition, especially if you provide enough exercise and outdoor time.
Surprisingly or not, but Poodle will be highly protective of their home. Moreover, your Poodle will always bark to protect you.
As a dog affectionate to his family, he may not be super fast to be polite toward strangers.
Whenever a stranger approaches your home, you will know it.
Your Poodle will bark enormously to save you, even if there isn’t anything to be saved from.
The most impressive and effective trait of your Poodle is their strong intelligence. Poodle owners claim that Poodles have human-like intelligence.
Their intelligence is one of many reasons why they are often used as service dogs. In fact, Poodles are often the first choice when it comes to choosing the best breeds to be around children with autism – these dogs are gentle, smart, and provide great emotional support that children enjoy.
Make sure that your Poodle knows house dog rules and that children know how to interact with dogs safely. It also cannot harm to supervise any dog-child interaction.
As such they will try to outsmart you, so be aware.
Intelligent dogs will always learn super fast, both bad and good habits of their people and so on, and they will remember them. Moreover, they will be proud to show you what they have learned from you.
Poodle Grooming
Poodles are easy dogs to keep, as long as you let professionals deal with their coats. Brushing your Poodle is a must at least once a week.
Talk to your groomer to learn how to do this painfully and stress-free. You will also need to have proper grooming tools on hand to deal with this one-of-a-kind coat.
Many Poodle owners decide to keep Poodle’s coat in a short trim.
Unless you plan to do the same, you will have to learn how to brush the coat to keep it free from matting. This is something that you will have to do on a daily level.
If you don’t perform brushing well, or you don’t know how to deal with you are walking into a disaster. This is why Poodles are often shaved to the skin which is something thats not suitable for this breed.
Therefore, the best option is to keep your Poodle in a shorter trim.
Yes, you can learn to clip and trim your Poodle or take it to a professional dog groomer. This will be part of yoru regular routine because you will have to take your Poodle to a professional groomer every four to six weeks.
This usually includes bathing your Poodle, grooming, and nail trimming. Poodles do not shed, which is why they are a great choice for people with allergies.
Poodle Training
Poodle stands for high intelliegen breed. As such, you may think that the training process will be fast and easy.
However, the truth is that even with the smartest dog breeds you need to invest serious time into the training process.
Early socialization and early training are a must if you want to have a well-behaved Poodle. They are agile, eager to please, and highly intelligent, but they still need a proper hand to lead them.
They are gentle, but as highly trainable material, this breed isn’t recommended for first time dog owners.
If you are thinking about welcoming Poodle into your home, be honest – could you handle training this breed? If the answer is ‘no’ or ‘maybe’ you should think about getting another breed.
Poodle is a great choice if you are planning on participating in canine sports, such as agility. Your Poodle will always do great in tracking and obedience as well.
They are superb water-retrievers and participating in water sports is no issue for them. Therefore, Poodles are often seen competing in dock diving and retriever hunt tests.
Training should be a smooth process with this breed, as long as you know what you are doing.
They are huge people pleasers and dogs who thrive on challenges. Therefore, it’s up to you to create training sessions that will be fun, well-structured, and packed with treats.
As long as you keep training routine positive and fun, they will be quick to please you.
Just be sure that you are being consistent with training sessions, training commands, and rewards.
Poodle Exercise
Poodle may seem gentle and even temper, but your Poodle will still need a fair amount of exercise. Exercise, next to a regular walk is the best way to keep your Poodle healthy and happy.
Dogs love being active, and when there is a job to be done. Plus, this breed was bred to help humans with various tasks, so their energy level is pretty much high.
A Poodle will usually be ready for any kind of activity, and they will love being busy. If you truly want to make your Poodle happy, provide some swimming time.
Another option is to work on retrieving impulses. To support this, all you have to do is to toss toys or balls – this is an effective way to exercise both their mind and body.
On rainy days, they will be more than happy to follow you on long walks or for jogs.
Poodle Health
In general, Poodles are healthy dogs. Normally, just like humans, dogs can be prone to certain health conditions.
This doesn’t mean that every Poodle will experience any of these conditions during their lifetime, but some may.
If you are getting a puppy, it’s mandatory to work with a responsible breeder only.
Responsible breeders will always screen puppies for most common health issues, and present you with medical documentation on the dog.
Serious breeders will also let you meet the dog’s parents, if not the bitch alone, and provide a tour around facilities.
If you are not given these moments, you are standing inside the puppy mill, and you should walk away.
If you adopting, animal shelters or animal caretakers should still provide you with proper information on the dog’s health conditions.
As a general rule, you should take your dog to the veterinarian as soon as you get home. This is the only way to know for sure how healthy or not, your Poodle is.
When it comes to Poodle your veterinarian may suggest testing on the following conditions:
- Addison’s Disease
- Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus
- Cushing’s Disease (Hyperadrenocorticism)
- Epilepsy
- Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
- Hypothyroidism
- Legg-Perthes Disease
- Patellar Luxation
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
- Von Willebrand’s Disease
As long as you provide high-quality food and regular veterinarian check-ups, your Poodle should be healthy.
Prevention is the best way to keep your dog healthy. Keeping your dog healthy means one thing – longer life with you.
Still, no matter how hard you try, dogs do leave, and that is something that you should be ready for.
The Bottom Line
Standard Poodles are great, especially if you have dog experience and know that this breed is close to your heart.
If you are a first time dog owner you should be thinking about companion dogs for sure, but maybe about a breed that comes with a lower energy level.
This breed will love to run with you, chase the ball, and swim long distances. If this sounds like too much outdoor energy, this may not be the breed for you.
On the other hand, if you want a dog who is intelligent, playful, lively, and easy to train, then standard Poodle just might be the right match for you. Are you a big Poodle fan? Check the most popular Poodle mixes now.
Popular Poodle Comparisons
