Poodles are some of America's favorite dogs. Their name comes from the German word for “puddle” — they were originally bred as water retrievers. That traditional puffy styling was meant to keep their joints warmer while they were fetching their prey from the water. These days, Poodles are more likely to be companions than hunters, however.
Because they don't produce much dander and shed infrequently, Poodles have been crossbred to create more kinds of dogs that are less aggravating to allergy sufferers. These include the Cockapoo (Cocker Spaniel + Poodle), the Labradoodle (Labrador Retriever + Poodle), and the Whoodle (Wheaten Terrier + Poodle).
Originally from Central Europe and Germany, this medium-sized and medium-energy breed can grow to between 40-70 pounds and lives an average of 10-18 years. The breed is recognized by the American Kennel Club and classified as a member of the Non-Sporting group.
| AKC Recognized | Y |
| Breed's original pastime | Retrieving |
| Origin | Germany |
| Breed group | Non-Sporting |
| Average lifespan | 10-13 years |
| Size | Large |
| Bark factor | Moderate |
| AKC Ranking | 8 |
| Family | Gun dog, companion |
| Date of origin | 1500s |
| Original function | Water retrieving |
| Today's function | Companion |
| Average size of male | Height: 15-21 Weight: 45-65 |
| Average size of female | Height: 15-21 Weight: 45-65 |
| Other name | Barbone, Caniche |
| Energy level | High energy |
| Exercise needs | Medium |
| Playfullness | Moderately playful |
| Affection level | Very affectionate |
| Friendliness toward other dogs | Friendly |
| Friendliness toward other pets | Very Friendly |
| Friendliness toward strangers | Friendly |
| Ease of training | Moderately easy to train |
| Watchdog ability | High |
| Protection ability | Moderately protective |
| Grooming needs | High maintenance |
| Cold tolerance | Medium tolerance |
| Heat tolerance | Medium tolerance |
BEHAVIOR & TRAINING
WHAT IS A STANDARD POODLE'S PERSONALITY LIKE?
Poodles are a proud, elegant, and dignified breed. But don't be fooled by their fancy features — these dogs are devoted to their chosen people, and want to be an important part of your family. They're great with supervised kids and play well with other supervised dogs.
WHAT IS STANDARD POODLE BEHAVIOR LIKE?
This is a very active breed. Poodles love to run, walk, or swim — preferably with you by their side. These dogs want to be on the go.
HOW EASY IS IT TO TRAIN A STANDARD POODLE?
This breed is very amenable to training. Poodles are extremely intelligent and eager to please. Their smarts and amenability make them ideal candidates for social therapy, seeing eye, and service work. These dogs excel in obedience, agility, hunting, and tracking.
CARE & HEALTH
HOW MUCH DO STANDARD POODLES SHED AND WHAT ARE THEIR GROOMING NEEDS?
A Standard Poodle's hair doesn't shed much. If you bring a Poodle home though, you're going to be very good friends with your dog groomer. This breed requires clipping at least every other month. You'll also spend a lot of time brushing her hair to prevent mats and tangles.
WHAT HEALTH PROBLEMS DO STANDARD POODLES HAVE?
As a breed, Poodles are generally healthy. Some are prone to eye ailments, hip dysplasia, epilepsy, skin disease, blood clotting disorders, and thyroid or adrenal gland issues.
Unlike their Toy or Miniature cousins, Standard Poodles are particularly prone to bloat, a condition that requires immediate attention from your veterinarian. Familiarize yourself with the symptoms of gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV) and contact your vet at once if you suspect your dog might be suffering from this ailment. Some Standard Poodles are also susceptible to autoimmune disorders.
