Poodle

The Poodle or standard Poodle is a large dog that is one of the smartest of all dog breeds. These well reputed dogs have an elegant and well-proportioned body, with a distinctive thick and curly coat. The chest is deep and reaches to the elbows and the back is straight and fairly short. The belly is tucked up and the tail is usually docked to about one third of its length in countries that permit docking.

The Standard poodle is the largest of the bunch, and medium, miniature and toy make up the remainder of the four types. The medium is not widely recognized as a stand alone type, and is often bunched in with the standard.

Poodles (Standard and Miniature) are members of the American Kennel Club (AKC) Terrier Group. The smaller Toy Poodles are members of the AKC Toy Dog Group.

History & Origins

The standard Poodle is the original poodle from which the Miniature and Toy dog breeds were developed. The exact origins of the Poodle are unknown but might relate to the Portuguese Water Dog and Irish Water Spaniel. There is no definitive consensus on where the Poodle originated from either. Some argue that is was France, others argue Russia. The most widely accepted theory though, is that they originated in Germany.

Most agree that the Poodle was used in the early 16th century Germany as a retriever of ducks. That it was developed from dogs similar to today’s standard type. Later the Poodle was used in France to search for truffles and also trained as a circus and show dog. Today the Poodle is a very popular companion dog and was ranked 8th out of 154 dog breeds in 2005 AKC registrations.

Quick Facts

• Versatile Performer – Originally bred for retrieving game from water, the Standard Poodle is versatile in various different working roles. They have been known to make good service dogs, and are often featured in dog shows. They have a good reputation for their skill. 

• Hypoallergenic Coat – You might not think it given the thick curly coat, but they are actually considered to be a hypoallergenic breed. They do need plenty of grooming to stay neat and tidy, and to prevent matting of their fur. But they don’t shed very much at all.

• Very Athletic – Despite its refined appearance, the Standard Poodle displays a surprising level of athleticism. I used to always think they looked a bit like a posh, docile dog, with a bad 80’s hairstyle, but this is quite a misleading perception. They are actually very agile, strong, and have incredible stamina.

• Friendly and Social – Standard Poodles are known for their friendly and sociable nature. They are loyal to their family members and known t get along well with children and other pets, with the right training. Early socialization is recommended to ensure they grow up to be well-adjusted adults.

• Lifespan and Health – With a lifespan of 10 to 15 years, Standard Poodles are generally healthy, long lived dogs. Some have even been know to reach a good old age of 18 years. Like all breeds though, they can be prone to specific health issues such as hip dysplasia and epilepsy.

Characteristics

Hiding underneath it’s thick and somewhat distracting coat, there is an athletic and well proportioned dog. The head is elongated with a straight nose and pendulous ears set even with the eyes. The coat can come in two types – curly or corded.

The curly coat is by far the most prevalent and consists of abundant, springy and woolly curls that are profuse with firm texture. There is no under coat and colors can be any solid color. The corded coats are extremely rare and also consist of dense and woolly hair.

Standard poodles generally stand 16 to 24 inches tall at shoulder height and weigh from 45 to 65 pounds. Miniature Poodles stand 11 to 15 inches at shoulder height and weigh about 15 pounds. The smallest of the bunch, Toy Poodles, stand around 10 inches tall or less at shoulder height and weigh up to 11 pounds.

Temperament

Miniature and Toy Poodles tend not to be as intelligent, easily trained or child-friendly as the Standard Poodle, which is one of the smartest and most trainable of all dog breeds. The standard Poodle is lively, good natured, friendly, proud, athletic, affectionate and extremely loyal. This is a thinking dog that can be trained very easily and almost anticipates any command.

Their sociable disposition makes them excellent companions for single owners or families alike. They do need lots of exercise and play though to maintain their best behaviour.

Family Compatability

Poodles are very loyal and become very attached to their owner and family. Poodles that are socialized early do very well with children, other pets and strangers. Adolescent Poodles however, can be very exuberant and toddlers and small children should be supervised carefully to avoid any knock downs. Poodles will announce visitors with a bark and make good watchdogs. They also do well with novice or first-time dog owners.

Training and Socializing

Standard Poodles are very intelligent dogs, and that makes them highly trainable. Consistent, positive reinforcement training methods work best with Poodles. They are quick to learn and very eager to show off their skills. As with most breeds, the earlier you start training the better, particularly when it comes to socializing them.

These dogs love to interact with other people and other animals so early socialization is really beneficial for them. They really do play well with others if you do this. So for the best experience for both you and your dog, start early.

Exercise

The standard Poodle was originally a hunting dog used to retrieve ducks and therefore loves lots of exercise and swimming. During the first few years this breed should be allowed to run and play off leash as well as be taken for long daily walks. These dogs excel at any agility sport or competition and also are frequent winners at advanced obedience competitions.

Grooming

The amount of grooming required for a Poodle depends completely on whether you plan to show the dog and which type of cut you want. Show dogs require extensive clipping and this is usually best left to a professional. Poodles that are kept as pets can be groomed in any manner you wish but are usually clipped fairly short to minimize grooming time. Poodles should be washed fairly frequently as their coats get greasy and should be trimmed every 6 weeks or so.

Remember to check the teeth frequently for tartar build-up and hand pluck excessive hair growing inside the ears. If you don’t like spending time grooming your dog, you should probably avoid a Poodle. Poodles do not shed their hair and are often called ‘hypoallergenic’ because they are good for people with allergies.

Health Issues

Standard Poodles can be expected to live for 12 to 15 years and have a number of common health problems. The most common disorders are bloat and a skin disease (sebaceous adenitis) while there is a wide range of less common disorders including: hip dysplasia, diabetes, epilepsy, heart disease, eye disease (cataracts, glaucoma) and Von Wilhelm’s Disease (VWD – mild bleeding).

Poodle buyers should ask to see the parent’s OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) hip dysplasia screening results as well as the recent CERF (Canine Eye Registry) results for eye diseases. Also ask about bloat, VWD and skin diseases in the breeding line.

Breed FAQs

Summary

Whether as a family companion, a show dog, or a working retriever, the Poodle is very versatile. It excels in just about every role, except possibly in the role of a guard dog. It’s a great choice of companion for first time dog owners, or active families that love to be out in the open.